Swisscontact promotes inclusive economic, social and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies. Represented in 34 countries with over 123 projects and 1,400 employees. Swisscontact has been promoting economic, social, and environmental development since 1959. Swisscontact specializes in:

• SME promotion

The Mekong Inclusive Growth and Innovation Programme (MIGIP) is contributing to poverty reduction through work and income generation opportunities in tourism, specifically in  strengthening institutions, structures, and processes in destination management. To this end, the project analyses tourism visitor flows in order to then offer new products and services targeted to specific tourist segments. The project is developing regional brands through marketing strategies.

• Skills Development

–        The Pheun Than Heng A Sip (PTHAS) initiative focuses on up-skilling of entry-level workers and labour-market insertion of disadvantaged groups into the hospitality sector.  The PTHAS training comprises of over 160 training units, each designed to address the issue of low service quality in tourism and hospitality businesses. Swisscontact originally developed the programme in partnership with the Lao National Institute for Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH). –        The Vocational Training and Employment Support Services (VTESS) project strengthens the Integrated Vocational and Education Training (IVET) pathway and establishes Employment Support Services (ESS) in Laos.  The major focus of VTESS is to facilitate the school to work transition of early school leavers, in order to provide them with options for productive employment (wage and self-employment) and the opportunity to enrol in further education and training.