The ISF Secretariat is in discussion with Besso, an AI-for-Trade startup based in Switzerland, to explore a strategic collaboration benefiting ISF and its member companies.
Besso specializes in optimizing international food and beverage supply chains by simplifying compliance with complex trade regulations, particularly through Free Trade Agreement (FTA) preferences.
The proposed partnership focuses on two key areas:
- Pillar 1: Working with ISF member companies to develop tailored solutions that optimize costs and generate recurring duty savings through automated FTA compliance.
- Pillar 2: Collaborating with the ISF Secretariat to map and operationalize non-tariff trade regulations for the seed sector, enhancing real-time regulatory visibility.
During the ISF mid-term meeting, the Advisory Group (AG) – Vegetables & Ornamentals engaged with Besso and expressed interest in further exploration. In its recent March meeting in Nairobi, the ISF Board of Directors endorsed the project, allowing the initiative to move forward with a proof-of-concept under Pillar 2, as requested by the AG – Vegetables & Ornamentals group after a virtual call with Besso. This step will provide a data-driven basis for future collaboration.
For more information on this initiative, please contact Dr. Khaoula Belhaj Fragnière, ISF Regulatory Affairs Manager.
