Swisscontact promotes economic, social and ecological development by supporting people to successfully integrate into local commercial life. Swisscontact creates opportunities for people to improve their living conditions as a result of their own efforts. The focus of its systemic intervention in the private sector is the strengthening of local and global value chains. Through an increased economic productivity Swisscontact fosters added value for all involved – namely the local population and small enterprises. 

Swisscontact concentrates on four core areas of private sector promotion: 

• Vocational Education and Training: enablingaccess to the labour market and creating the conditions for gaining an occupation and earning an income.
• SME Promotion: promoting local entrepreneurship with the goal of strengthening its competitiveness.
• Financial Services: creating access to local financial service providers who offer credit, savings, leasing and insurance products.
• Resource Efficiency: promoting the efficient use of resources through production methods that are efficient in their use of energy and materials, and through taking measures to promote clear air and sustainable waste disposal. 

As an expert organisation, Swisscontact carries out high-quality project work on site. The cost-effectiveness and efficiency of its services is proven by well-documented, transparent monitoring and quantification procedures. Recurring internal and external checks provide proof of continued, sustainable development of expertise, skills and practical know-how. 

Swisscontact was established in 1959 as an independent organisation by notable figures from the worlds of commerce and science in Switzerland. It is exclusively involved in international co-operation and since 1961 has carried out its own and mandated projects. Since it was founded, Swisscontact has had close ties with the private sector. In 2012 Swisscontact is active in 27 countries and had some 750 employees. The organisation is based in Zurich.