SECO is the Economic Cooperation and Development Division of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and, together with the SDC, is responsible for planning and implementing Switzerland's cooperation with developing countries, Eastern European and Central Asian states, and the ten new EU states. The aim of this cooperation is to improve the living conditions of the population and to reduce disparities amongst countries.

Macroeconomic support, private sector development, trade promotion, infrastructure financing, multilateral cooperation, evaluation and controlling, contribution to EU enlargement/cohesion.