Using technology for development

Technological development is important for the integration and participation of developing countries in the international trading system. Such development can be facilitated by domestic and international actions, including human resource development; establishment and strengthening of appropriate policy and legal frameworks and the competitive environment; encouraging the establishment of more sophisticated industries; establishment of science and technology institutes and infrastructure; encouragement of business support services; and home country measures that encourage the transfer of technology, as well as environmentally sound technologies, to developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, on the terms laid down in Agenda 21 adopted at the Rio Summit.

There is need for an exchange of best practices and the provision of technical and, where possible, financial assistance to countries seeking to improve their technological capabilities. There is also need for the provision of advisory services to countries, and even firms, to help them articulate needs for specific technology, to acquire it knowledgeably and to use it effectively. Among the obstacles to effective transfer of technology to enterprises located in developing countries are the weak infrastructures, restricted financial resources and limited bargaining capacity of recipient enterprises.