Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights - Report by Developed Country Members on the implementation of TRIPS Art. 66.2 (re. Technology Transfer to LDCs)

Report by Developed Country Members on the implementation of TRIPS Art. 66.2 (re. Technology Transfer to LDCs) - View details of the document

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IP/C/W/656/Add.5

Distribution date

1. Submitting Member

Submitting Member

European Union

On behalf of group

On behalf of other Members

2. Introduction to Report

Brief description of implementation of Article 66.2

Technology transfer refers to the ways and means through which companies, individuals and organizations acquire technology or know-how from third parties, whether such technology is IPR-protected or not, including know-how. More often than not, technology transfer is one component of a complex project. LDCs acquiring a viable technological base depends on both the provision of technology or equipment and on acquisition of relevant know-how, management and production skills, improved access to knowledge sources.

This year’s report shows that Sweden, through Swedfund and the Renewable Energy Programme, take its commitments and obligations under Article 66.2 TRIPS seriously and makes efforts to put in place projects that incentivizes technology transfer to LDCs.

Contact email for this programme

per.wallen@gov.se

3. Notes

List of programmes/projects

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#	Name of programme or project	Beneficiary Members(s)	Category of technology
1	Swedfund	Angola; Benin; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Central African Republic; Chad; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Djibouti; The Gambia; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Lesotho; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Maldives; Mali; Mauritania; Mozambique; Niger; Rwanda; Senegal; Sierra Leone; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Zambia	Health-related technology; Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology; Food and agriculture; Information and communications technology
2	Renewable Energy Programme	Kenya; Mozambique; Tanzania; Zambia; Zimbabwe	Environmentally friendly or sustainable technology

Member State (if applicable)

Objective or purpose

Swedfund’s objective is to contribute to the goals of Sweden’s Policy for Global Development by co-financing investments in the private sector which encourage economically, environmentally and socially sustainable business in developing countries. Swedfund’s owner instructions were updated at the AGM held in April 2017. Among other things, it was stated that Swedfund shall only invest in renewable energy. Swedfund offers development capital in the form of equity and loans to strategic partners wishing to establish or expand their operations in target regions.

Entity making the incentive available

Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden's government has assigned Swedfund to be Sweden's development finance institution for investments in developing countries. From January 2015 Swedfund is managed by Sweden's Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation.

Eligible enterprises or institutions in developed country Member

Swdfund invests in three sectors, i.e. renewable energy, healthcare and financial inclusion (including funds). Eligible enterprieses or institutions are comapnies investing in developing countries, including LDCs, and their partner companies in the host countries.

Beneficiary Observer(s)

Beneficiary enterprises or institutions

Swedfund invests in three sectors, i.e. renewable energy, healthcare and financial inclusion (including funds) , primarily in LDCs, with focus primarily on Sub-Sahara Africa.

Nature of incentive measure

Investments instruments include loans, equity or investments in funds. The choice of instrument depends on the portfolio company’s financing needs. Swedfund continues to focus on the ownership role through which we can influence the company’s development via the agreement in signs as well as through active board participation.

Financial implications

By the end of 2018, Swedfund’s total investment portfolio amounted to 4,516 million SEK divided over 58 different accounts in 23 countries. During 2018, Swedfund made 11 new investments. Over 60 % of the portfolio is invested in Sub-Sahara Africa.

Field of technology

Various types of technology may be involved (e.g. healthcare, cleantech, chemicals, ICT and agriculture)

Output or impact

In total, Swedfund in 2018 took the decision to invest in 7 facilities supporting financial inclusion and SMEs, 3 investments to promote renewable energy production, 1 investment to increase access to health facilities.

Status of the programme or project

Current or in progress

Duration and timing

Website for further information

www.swedfund.se

Contact point for further information

Karin Kronhöffer +46 8 725 94 00 karin.kronhoffer@swedfund.se

Member State (if applicable)

Objective or purpose

Objective 1: Contribute to increased capacity of institutions and organisations to initiate or contribute to ongoing early reform and change processes in the area of renewable energy. Objective 2: Increased investments in renewable energy. Objective 3: Increased use of renewable energy and increased access to electricity for people living in poverty in cities as well as in rural areas.

Entity making the incentive available

Through a framework agreement the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has commissioned LIFE Academy in a first call-off to carry out a three years programme on Renewable Energy.

Eligible enterprises or institutions in developed country Member

The programmes are open to various types of decision makers, such as planners, trainers, managers and specialists in the energy sector working at government institutions or private companies in developing countries.

Beneficiary Observer(s)

Beneficiary enterprises or institutions

Nature of incentive measure

The first Renewable Energy programme runs over a period of three years with continuous support from LIFE Academy, including work-shops in the partner countries as well as study periods in Sweden. The framework agreement also provides for another similar program to be called off by 2020 or 2021.

Financial implications

The allocated budget for the first call-off regarding the recently started Renewable Energy programme is MSEK 19,7 with a possibility to call off yet another programme within the framework agreement focusing on other countries.

Field of technology

The technology transfer covers knowledge of renewable energy and its benefits for sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as increased knowledge of methods and tools for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Output or impact

The programme has so far resulted in a number of locally arranged conferences and workshops in all six countries where specialists from LIFE Academy have participated as experts. The participants have also developed change projects in which LIFE Academy specialists serve as advisors and mentors. Identified Change Projects are Ethiopia: Increased access to modern energy in rural areas. Kenya: Power storage for grid and stand-alone systems. Tanzania: Increased access to data and information on renewable energy. Mocambique: Integration of small and utility-scale projects on renewable energy in the national grid. Zambia: To provide information for investment in the renewable energy sector.

Status of the programme or project

Current or in progress

Duration and timing

The first programme within the framework agreement was called-off during the last part of 2018, and will cover a capacity development programme on Renewable Energy during the coming three years, 2019-2021, with focus on East Africa and Southern Africa.

Website for further information

www.life.se

Contact point for further information

Lars Hallén, Board member +46 54 18 75 15 lars.hallen@life.se