Iteipc20045 en
Iteipc20045 en
Iteipc20045 en
UNITED NATIONS
Note
The term “country”, as used in the overview and titles of instruments reproduced in
this publication, also refers, as appropriate, to territories or areas. The designations employed
and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on
the part of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any territory, city or area or of its
authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. In addition, the
designations of country groups are intended solely for statistical or analytical convenience and
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country or area in the development process. Mention of any firm name, organization or
policies does not imply endorsement by the United Nations.
UNCTAD/ITE/IPC/2004/5
Preface
UNCTAD’s work in this area is ongoing, and comments on this preliminary report are
invited.
The report was prepared by Victor Konde, Gabriel Senior and Mimi Groenbech under
the supervision of James Zhan and Assad Omer and was carried out under the overall
direction of Khalil Hamdani.
Comments on the report were received from Phillip Aerni, Anne Miroux, Maria-
Susana Arano, Carlos Correa, Prasada Reddy, Torbjorn Fredriksson, Mongi Hamdi, Pedro
Roffe, Yehia Soubra, Christoph Spennemann and Joerg Weber. Monica Adjivon-Conteh
provided administrative support.
Contents
Abbreviations.......................................................................................................................... vii
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 3
Concluding remarks............................................................................................................... 19
Table
Boxes
Abbreviations
Many developed countries have adopted measures that directly or indirectly facilitate
technology transfer. These measures include financing support, training, matching services,
partnerships and alliances and support for equipment purchase or licensing. UNCTAD has
surveyed 41 agencies and programmes in 23 developed countries that offer home-country
measures (HCMs), in one way or another, facilitating technology transfer (see table 1). HCMs
are often provided as part of international cooperation programmes and/or strategic trade and
investment initiatives.
Nineteen of the agencies surveyed provide support for training programmes. Of these,
four provide support to enable affiliates of home-country firms in developing countries train
their workers, three provide training as part of matching services and five run independent
skills development programmes.
Seven of the agencies surveyed provide financing for technology transfer. Of these,
three have dedicated financing mechanisms to facilitate technology transfer. Further, four of
the agencies surveyed provide venture capital support to firms in developing countries or in
partnership with home-country firms.
Some of the HCMs illustrated above provide examples of best practices in facilitating
technology transfer. Overall, the existing home-country programmes are fragmented,
insufficient and narrow in coverage. For instance, the number of programmes whose core
objective is technology transfer is small, and only a few countries are covered. Although
many agencies recognize FDI as a channel for technology transfer, few include requirements
to ensure technology transfer does take place in their FDI-related incentives. There is also
limited information on HCMs facilitating technology transfer.
There is still a vast scope for further efforts. Such efforts may include assistance to
developing countries to improve technical standards and certification systems, extensive
dissemination of information on HCMs, mobilization of “business angels” and involvement of
developing country firms in complex projects. Home countries may also reserve a portion of
their technical assistance budget to developing countries to support measures facilitating
technology transfer to small businesses, especially in LDCs.
2 Home-Country Measures
l
OT
ita
ap
gT
c
ing
cin
re
inin
tch
ntu
an
P
I
Tra
Fin
Ma
PP
FD
Ve
Country Agency
Australia AADCP
ACIAR
Austria Buerges Bank
Belgium SBI-BMI
Canada CIDA-TTF
CIDA-PPI
Denmark DANIDA-PSD
IFU-IO
MCP
European Union RIET
Finland FINNFUND
France PROPARCO
IRD
FGEF+
CIRAD
Germany GTZ-PPP
Iceland ICEIDA
Ireland Enterprise Ireland
Italy SIMEST
Japan JETRO
JITCO
JAIDO
JICA
Netherlands FMO
PSOM
New Zealand NZODA
Nordic countries NORSAD
Norway NORAD
NORAD -SA/SL/In
NORFUND
Portugal ICEP-APAD
Spain COFIDES
Sweden SWEDEFUND
SIDA
Switzerland SECO-SDFC
SOFI-SSF
United Kingdom CDC
DFID
JEMU-TPI
USA USAID-GTN
USAID-Leland
For instance, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) acknowledges that
the increased participation of developing country members in world trade shall be facilitated
through, inter alia, access to technology on a commercial basis (Article IV) and further calls
on Members to encourage foreign suppliers of telecommunication services to “assist” in the
transfer of technology, training and other activities that support the development of their
telecommunications infrastructure and expansion of their telecommunications services trade
(Article XXV).
While governments cannot alter the commercial interest of enterprises, the provision
of incentives plays a catalytic role in stimulating private sector interest. To this end, countries
have agreed to identify and recommend “steps that might be taken within the mandate of the
WTO to increase flows of technology to developing countries” (Doha Ministerial Declaration,
paragraph 37). Developed countries are also required to report to the TRIPS Council the
measures they have taken to fulfil Article 66.2 of the TRIPS agreement.
Some developed countries have taken steps to implement these agreements through
several initiatives and activities of national agencies that directly or indirectly facilitate the
transfer of technology to developing countries and developed guideline for their firms2. The
objective of this report is to survey these efforts with a view to encourage a broad-based
response to the objectives and goals contained in international agreements.
For the purpose of this report, home-country measures (HCMs) may be defined as
those measures in technology-exporting countries (including advanced developing countries)
1
UNCTAD (2001) Compendium of international arrangements on technology transfer: Selected
instruments, (Geneva: United Nations), UNCTAD/ITE/IPC/Misc.5
2
See annex 2 for the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises on science and technology.
4 Home-Country Measures
that facilitate the transfer of technology to developing countries. Therefore, a single measure
may facilitate technology transfer through different modes (see table 1).
A review of the measures adopted by developed countries shows that the incentives
provided to private firms mainly fall into two categories: 1) measures encouraging technology
transfer through FDI to developing countries and 2) measures encouraging the participation of
home firms in public projects in developing countries. FDI related transfer of technology
incentives provide risk financing and guarantees for investing in developing countries and/or
entering into partnerships with firms in developing countries. However, only a few measures
require home firms to demonstrate that technology transfer does take place in order to receive
the incentives.
In addition, there are cases in which developed countries provide support to their
domestic public institutions to transfer technology to developing countries. Such measures
play an important role especially in the key sectors of agriculture, health, environment and
education. These measures include support for research and development (R&D) activities,
transfer of techniques, processes and products (e.g. seeds and animal varieties) to developing
countries (see the cases of Australia and France).
Provision of training in both home and host countries is another common measure that
is related to technology transfer. These training programmes include the exchange and
training of industrial workers, scientists and experts (see the cases of Canada and Japan).
There are other measures that provide matching services, information on technologies and
trade opportunities.
One such programme that actively supports the financing of technology transfer is the
Canada-Brazil and Southern Cone-Canada Technology Transfer Fund (TTF).3 The TTF
supports Canadian enterprises and organizations that wish to transfer their expertise and
technology to partner organizations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay. The
Fund, which is administered by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA),
provides grants to enable the successful transfer and adaptation of Canadian technologies in
partnership with local organizations.
About CAD$18 million was used to support 27 projects during the first phase of the
TTF (1996-2001). Of these projects, 13 were in the areas of education, health, labour and
agriculture (income stabilization), while the remaining 14 were in various areas of economic
activity. Technologies transferred included equipment, and planning and management
expertise as well as training of users.
For example, the Fund provided CAD$1.1 million to support the strengthening of a
Gas Centre of Excellence,4 the training of Brazilian experts and the provision of technical
assistance to two Brazilian companies. The project was jointly supported by CIDA and
Brazilian Agency for Co-operation (ABC). A consortium of Canadian industries (Westcoast
Energy/Union Gas, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and TransCanada Pipelines)
led by the Lambton College5 are providing their technologies and expertise to C.T. Gas, a
major player in the gas industry, in collaboration with local stakeholders (SENAI, the
Brazilian National Industrial Apprenticeship Service, and Petrobràs).
3
CIDA (2001) Canada-Brazil Technology Transfer Fund Phase II, Information guide E94-312/3-2001E
CIDA.
4
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca; Canada-Brazil Technology Transfer Fund Phase 1.
5
http://www.lambton.on.ca/
6 Home-Country Measures
The Gas Centre’s objective is to develop knowledge and the necessary technologies to
increase natural gas usage in Brazil by creating customized natural gas services and training
programmes for its industrial clients. The technologies to be developed by the centre may
help convert industries currently using wood and coal to adopt natural gas as a cost-effective
and safer technology.
Similarly, the Start-Up Facility, which is a part of the Private Sector Development
Programme (PSD Programme)6 of Danida (Denmark), is a funding mechanism that supports
partner identification, visits and preliminary studies in the initial stages. It also covers the
costs of technical assistance and training, export promotion efforts, adaptation of technology,
environmental improvements and, in some cases, provides loans for equipment during the
implementation stage. The Start-Up Facility also extends support to developing country firms
wishing to receive assistance from Danish companies for a limited period of time or where the
partner firms wish to assess the potential economic opportunities offered by the cooperation
before committing themselves to long-term PSD cooperation.
The PSD programme currently operates in 10 African countries, four Asian countries
and two Latin American countries. The programme has facilitated the transfer of
manufacturing and/or process technologies in food, pharmaceutical, steel, chemical and
agricultural technologies, among others.
For example, Best Foods Ltd. of Bangladesh needed to upgrade its technological base,
but it was difficult to attract a developed country firm as a partner. However, the PSD
Coordinator in Bangladesh contacted Herning Vorgod Biscuits of Denmark in 1999 to explore
the possibilities for cooperation with Best Foods. The partners agreed to first make use of the
Start-up Facility to support visits and training of technical staff from Best Foods at Herning
Vorgod Biscuits’ facilities in Denmark. The transfer of Danish technology and management
training has proved profitable for both partners. By 2002, they had established a long-term
cooperation.
6
http://www.psdprogramme.dk
firms and local supplier networks are considered important in facilitating technology transfer
through FDI.
While host-country incentives and environment play a vital role in attracting FDI,
home-country initiatives that reduce the risks of investing in developing countries can also
facilitate investment flows. For example, FinnFund,7 a state-owned finance company, plays
an important role in promoting investment flows to developing countries. Finnfund invests
primarily in Finnish companies or long-term customers, suppliers and subcontractors of
Finnish firms and/or companies that license Finnish technology (see annex 1 for details).
One example that illustrates the activities of the Finnfund in facilitating the transfer of
technology through FDI is the case of A.T. Biopower Company8 in Thailand. Biopower is a
20-megawatt plant that will convert rice husks into electricity for sale to the Electricity
Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The plant is estimated to cost Euro 20 million and
FinnFund is one of the major shareholders. Other major investors include Al Tayyar Energy
Ltd., Private Energy Market Fund, Flagship Asia Corporation and Rolls-Royce Power
Ventures. Thailand produces about 20 million metric tons of rice annually. Disposing the rice
husks after the milling is a major problem. This power plant will pay millers a fair price for
the husks, create jobs, and generate electricity and profits for the investors. At the same time
it will eliminate the current difficulties in disposing the rice husks. This case demonstrates
that, with appropriate incentives by home countries and their partners, FDI can be tailored to
deliver emerging technologies to meet developmental challenges that industry would not risk
taking alone.
The case of the Swiss Organization for Facilitating Investments (SOFI)9 illustrates the
importance of provision of information, business planning and funding to SMEs and the role
SMEs can play in international technology transfer. SOFI, founded in 1997 by the Swiss State
Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in cooperation with KPMG, is responsible for
promotion of investment by Swiss SMEs with partners in developing countries and in
transition economies. SOFI organizes conferences and missions, identifies business
opportunities, provides information, conducts partner searches and offers consulting services.
In addition, SOFI manages the SECO’s Start-up Fund (SSF) which offers loans to Swiss
SMEs in the start-up phase of their operations in developing countries and may cover up to 50
per cent of the project costs.
For example, Crissier, a Swiss firm that offers a complete range of temperature- and
pressure-measuring instruments used in the petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food processing
7
http://www.finnfund.fi/ and the FinnFund (2003) Annual Report.
8
http://www.atbiopower.co.th/indexe.html
9
www.sofi.ch/
and manufacturing industries, wished to move into the East Asian market. SOFI advised the
company on how to structure the project and access SSF, as a potential funding source. SOFI
counselled the firm through the application process for a loan from the fund. With SOFI's
support, the company was able to secure co-financing for equipment, materials and operating
expenses.
SOFI has framework agreements with over 60 countries in Africa, Asia, Central and
Eastern Europe and Latin America. The organization has been involved in over 300
successful projects. According to its list of recent projects,11 about 54 per cent of the projects
are in agriculture and food processing and the rest are in manufacturing, software engineering
and genomics.
One of the main challenges faced by developing countries is to identify the most
suitable technology from out of several alternative technologies and multiple sources of
technologies. This is important especially in those areas where the technologies are changing
rapidly. Matching those who possess the necessary technologies with those that need them
may be difficult and costly for developing countries with limited sources of information.
For instance, the Singapore Public Utilities Board was interested in acquiring mainly
the multistage flash distillation technologies for a desalinization plant to improve the water
supply. US-AEP identified and referred several U.S. firms with alternative technologies, such
as reverse osmosis, to bid for the contract because there are several technologies that may be
efficient and cost-effective in meeting the needs of Singapore. The Public Utilities Board
chose Hyflux,13 a Singapore-based company, for the design and construction of the plant.
However, Hyflux used reverse osmosis instead of the multi-stage flash distillation technology.
10
http://www.sofipro.ch/
11
http://www.sofipro.ch/index_2.html
12
http://www.usaep.org/
13
http://www.hyflux.com/
Similarly, US-AEP worked with the American firms to identify cost effective and
commercialized technologies to remove arsenic from drinking water in India, together with
the main local stakeholders (Central Ground Water Board and Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water
Mission). Approximately 200 million people are exposed to arsenic poisoning due to
contaminated water in some rural parts of India and Bangladesh. Arsenic poisoning could
cause cancer of the skin, lungs and bladder, and may lead to death.14
The stakeholders selected two firms with compact treatment systems for arsenic
removal as they met the special needs of the community. Approximately, $4 million of water
treatment equipment was purchased from Apryon Technologies and Water Systems
International. Apyron Technologies15 has been working in India for almost 3.5 years now
and sells an integrated water treatment system that provides safe water on demand (at 8-12
litres/minute), easy to maintain by the villagers and in no need of electricity. Indeed, an
advanced technology developed for the American urban homes has been adapted to meet the
challenges of rural communities in India.
Venture capital plays a central role in facilitating technology development and transfer
through provision of support for product development and commercialization. Venture
capitalists also provide management support, business and marketing strategies, and match
14
Ahmed, M. F., Ali, M. A. and Adeel, Z, eds. (2001). Technologies for Arsenic Removal from Drinking
Water (Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology and The United Nations University, Dhaka).
15
http://www.apyron.com/
16
Wheeler, C. and Berkley, S. (2001)."Initial lessons from public–private partnerships in drug and vaccine
development", Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 79, pp. 728–734.
making services, among others, that improve the success of commercializing technologies and
expansion of businesses.
For example, Aureos Capital Fund supports primarily SMEs in developing countries
with or without partners in developed countries. Aureos has 15 offices in Africa, Asia, Latin
America and the Pacific Islands. In 2003, Aureos East Africa Fund invested $4 million in
Shelys Pharmaceuticals of Tanzania, which enabled the latter to acquire Beta Healthcare
Kenya Ltd. By acquiring Beta Healthcare Kenya, Shelys also expanded its technological base.
Aureos Capital is a joint venture between CDC Capital Partners and Norwegian Fund for
Developing Countries (Norfund).
Home countries could also facilitate the formation of venture capital firms in
developing countries. For example, the South-North Development Initiative has been
instrumental in developing six local venture capital projects in Africa and Latin America. The
shareholders are Americans and local business houses/persons. Developed countries, through
their agencies and development banks, could help create venture firms in developing
countries through provision of seed funds, encouraging their firms to invest in the funds and,
through agreements with developing countries, create an enabling environment for venture
capitalists.
One of the significant features of the global business environment in recent decades
has been the formation of networks involving partners in different countries, each providing
complementary support services and technologies. These networks are designed to reduce the
risks and share the costs associated with the development of new products. Such arrangements
are particularly important in areas with limited access to financing and technology.17 Some of
these alliances may involve developed and developing country institutions that may share key
technologies.
For example, international alliances have played an important role in the development
of biotechnology in China. In addition to the national commitment, support and funding,
China has participated in the human genome sequencing project and is currently part of the
International Rice Genome Sequencing Project (IRGSP),18 an international consortium
(Brazil, China, France, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Taiwan Province of China, Thailand,
United Kingdom and US) led by Japan. The EU-China collaboration19 has provided unique
training opportunities.
In addition, there are dedicated centres that promote partnerships and alliances. For
instance, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) promotes
partnerships between Australian and developing country institutions. ACIAR has supported
more than 50 R&D agricultural projects in Viet Nam between 1993 and 2003.20 In one
17
Juma, C. and V. Konde (2002). The New Bioeconomy: Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology in
Developing Countries, (Geneva: United Nations), UNCTAD/DITC/TED/12.
18
http://rgp.dna.affrc.go.jp/IRGSP/index.html.
19
Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the
Government of the People’s Republic of China (1998) accessible via ftp://ftp.cordis.lu/pub/inco2/docs/china.pdf.
20
Ten Years of ACIAR in Vietnam-Highlight, 2003 (www.ACIAR.gov.au/).
project, the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of South Viet Nam worked with the Queensland
Department of Primary Industries to develop and introduce a pig variety suited to Viet Nam
that grows faster and produces leaner meat. The project also equipped five artificial
insemination centres to support the introduction of this superior breed. ACIAR participates in
projects in Southern Africa, Asia and the South Pacific, and supports international agricultural
research centres such as the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Centre
(CGIAR) (see annex 1 for details).
Some HCMs target a specific region or group of countries. The Canadian Technology
Transfer Fund targets only countries in the Southern Cone and Brazil. Similarly, the Danish
Start-up Facility operates only in Danida-programme countries. These HCMs facilitate
technology transfer only to these countries. Some developing countries, even though located
in the same region, will not benefit from these measures. Although such a focus may exclude
potential beneficiaries, they stimulate technology transfer and investment to regions of
interest.
Most of the FDI-related measures seem to benefit the emerging markets in Asia and
Central and Eastern Europe even though these measures do not deliberately target these
regions. Firms in other developing countries or regions are not better placed to attract
investment or partners from developed countries. For example, of the 32 projects highlighted
by SOFI (see section 2.2), only 3 were in Africa.
There are two programmes, out of the 41 surveyed, specifically targeting LDCs, and
none focuses on technology transfer as the core objective among the agencies and
programmes surveyed. Many firms in LDCs are unlikely to attract partners from developed
countries without support. The limited number of HCMs specifically targeting LDCs may
reflect the importance of the home country’s commercial interest.
The extent to which HCMs balance the needs of home and host countries is difficult to
assess at this stage. However, most of the programmes provide support to firms and
institutions in developed countries (e.g. financing, guarantees and information). There are few
that provide partner searches or information to firms and institutions in developing countries.
For example, four programmes require that proposals for support originate from developing
countries or are co-developed with firms/institutions in developing countries (e.g. the US
Leland Initiative (see annex 1)).
There are other measures whose main target is technology transfer to advance the
development goals. For example, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural
Research (ACIAR) promotes research partnerships and supports agricultural related research
and transfer of its technology to developing countries. The Centre has produced vaccines,
bred and introduced improved animal and plant varieties, and farming techniques that have
made a significant economic impact in developing countries (see annex 1 for details).
14 Home-Country Measures
Other measures such as matching services, support for training local workers and
venture capital access play an important role in technology transfer whether they are provided
as part of FDI support services or as independent measures. However, given the number and
nature of measures surveyed, it is difficult at this stage to say what expertise was transferred
under some of these measures. For example, US-AEP (section 1.3) is said to have matched
700 Asian stakeholders and successfully facilitated the transfer of $1.4 billion worth of
technologies. The programme may be viewed to be effective in facilitating technology
transfer.
Similarly, CDC Capital Partners and Norfund have invested in or stimulated the
formation of venture capital firms in developing countries to fund local SMEs. The
effectiveness of these measures in transferring technologies to developing countries cannot be
conclusively addressed here.
There is vast scope for further improvement of HCMs facilitating the transfer of
technology to and help build a productive capacity in developing countries.
Home countries could help developing countries improve technical standards and
certification systems through access to and provision of testing equipment for standard
setting and quality assessment.
Developed countries offering preferential market access may also encourage their firms
to invest in the target countries and sectors to promote technology transfer, development
of marketing skills and standards. Such an effort may help developing countries to fully
realize the benefits offered by preferential markets.
Many complex projects (e.g. hydroelectric power stations and bridges) involve the use
of different technologies and are sometimes supported by funds from donors. Home
countries, as funding agencies, may make it a requirement on their firms to work with
local firms in all stages (planning, bidding, management and execution) to facilitate the
transfer of technologies.22
HCMs could be expanded to include aspects similar to those of the Small Business
Technology Transfer Programme (STTP) and Small Business Innovation Research
Programme (SBIR) in the US. Under these programmes, selected US Departments
reserve a portion of their R&D funds for awards to small businesses (less than 500
employees) and promote technology transfer. Donors may reserve a portion of their
21
Business Angels are generally individual or private investors interested in unquoted small and medium
sized businesses. They provide finance, experience and business skills and are motivated by various factors such
as financial return, community benefit and overcoming a challenge. For this reason, Angels invest in the early
stage of business development.
22
Taskforce on Science, Technology and Innovation (2004). Challenges and Opportunities for
Implementing the Millennium Development Goals, Interim Report of the Task Force on Science, Technology and
Innovation, United Nations MDG project, accessible via http://bcsia.ksg.harvard.edu/.
16 Home-Country Measures
support for technology transfer from their public institutions to SMEs in developing
countries, especially LDCs.
Home countries may also facilitate technology transfer to developing countries through
trade by meeting part of the costs of technology licensing, promoting subcontracting
and encouraging export of equipment and machinery especially in fields of common
interest such as health, aviation and communications.
A number of the South-South initiatives are likely to occur through regional and
bilateral agreements. Through these initiatives, international resources and expertise could be
channels to overcome common challenges. They also concentrate limited regional resources
to achieve a critical mass that could overcome national weaknesses that may hinder the rate at
which technology is absorbed or utilized. Further, they may facilitate harmonization in
policies that encourage technology development, transfer and use.
For example, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU),
launched the Pan African Rinderpest Campaign (PARC)23 in 1986 to completely eradicate the
disease (Rinderpest) on the continent. PARC coordinated national projects in 35 participating
countries and assisted in improving vaccine production and quality control technologies, skills
upgrade, management training, border harmonization dialogue and communication channels.
Through PARC, the EU is estimated to have invested $200 million by 1999. Rinderpest, a
viral disease, could wipe out up to 90 per cent of the cattle in an area and, with it, the
livelihood of many families. A vaccination campaign in 22 African countries was thought to
have eradicated the disease in the 1970s. However, between 1979 and 1983 more than 100
million cattle died from a resurgence of the disease. Nigeria alone is thought to have lost $2
billion dollar due Rinderpest in the 1980s.
Similarly, China and Brazil agreed (1989) to develop two remote sensing satellites
through the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) Programme.24 The programme
pools the human and financial resources of both countries to establish a remote sensing
23
D’Huys, P (1998). Communication for development: The case of the Pan African Rinderpest Campaign
(PARC) SD Dimensions (accessible via www.fao.org).
24
Sausen, M. T. (2001). The China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS), ISPRS Society 6, pp. 27-28.
18 Home-Country Measures
system that is competitive and compatible with international needs. The National Institute for
Space Research (NIPE) in Brazil and the Chinese Academy of Space Technology (CAST),
China, are the lead agents in this programme. To boost industrial development, a clause was
included that obligated the Chinese to reinvest the equivalent of the money received from
Brazil to purchase Brazilian products. CBERS launched its first remote satellite in 1999
aboard a Chinese rocket from the Launch Centre in Taiyuan after 13 years of cooperation and
the second on 1 September 2001.25 China bore 70 per cent of the cost while Brazil covered 30
percent. Brazil is responsible for the development of the high-resolution cameras while China
is responsible for the application platform. In addition, Brazil and China cooperate in other
areas such as swapping fuel technologies and a joint venture for the construction of aircraft
turbofan jets for low-cost and low-maintenance aircrafts.
The centre promotes both North-South and South-South knowledge and technology
transfer. Currently, it is involved in the generation and transfer of Indian and Asian
technologies to other developing regions, mainly Africa and Latin America and the
Caribbean. Recently (2002), the Centre has initiated new projects in Kenya, Malawi,
Mozambique, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to provide India manufacturing technologies
and expertise on low-cost housing and encourage technical cooperation among developing
countries in Asia and Africa. ICAMT has also taken part in exhibitions in Africa, through the
Asia-African Technology Partnership Forum, and in Latin America.
Further, some developing countries are already becoming prominent donors and
investors. South Africa is becoming one of the major investors in the Southern African region.
Other countries such as Brazil, China, Cuba, India, the Republic of Korea and South Africa,
among others, have programmes that promote the exchange and training of personnel and
attachment of trained expatriates to other developing countries.
25
http://www.cast.ac.cn.
26
http://www.icamt.org/.
However, these measures could further be enhanced. For instance, there is limited
information available on these measures. This may influence the reach and impact of HCMs.
The number of programmes whose core objective is technology transfer is small. These
measures, if expanded, could assist developing countries expand their technological base.
Similarly, a number of home countries provide incentive to their firms. Such HCMs could
also be provided to host country firms, especially LDCs, to enable them access technologies
from home-country firms.
This paper provides an overview of HCMs that could facilitate technology transfer and
is not meant to comprehensively assess the effectiveness of the measures. It highlights some
measures that could serve as best practices. The paper is meant to facilitate the exchange of
experiences among the HCMs providers, with a view of promoting best practices. Similarly,
the paper does not address the legal and regulatory issues that may influence technology
transfer to developing countries. These are equally important issues that will be addressed in
future studies.
Annex 1
Selected HCMs adopted to facilitate technology transfer
The cases profiled here represent a variety of HCMs adopted by countries to facilitate
technology transfer. The measures discussed in this annex do not cover the entire list of all
HCMs adopted by the developed home countries. The cases are based on information made
available by the agencies and/or that contained in official literature.
1. AUSTRALIA
2. AUSTRIA
The aws supports Austrian enterprises with business planning, structuring and
financing as well as feasibility studies and surveys. The main instruments are guarantees for
bank loans and mezzanine (subordinate) loans provided to SMEs, and guarantees for loans
that finance technological innovations. The projects are individually assessed for transfer of
technology and capabilities. The aws guarantees enable Austrian firms to get back part of
their funds (maximum 50 per cent) if the investment project fails.
3. BELGIUM
4. CANADA
partners' participation. The Fund does not design projects but responds to joint proposals by
organizations in the Southern Cone and Canada and submitted to CIDA for consideration.
CIDA’s contribution to a project represents only a part of the total cost and supports
those Canadian partners that display strong organizational and managerial competencies,
technical leadership in Canada, and have experience in technology transfer, and provide the
best of what Canada has to offer in the field or sector of interest.
Environment Canada and the State of São Paulo worked together to implement a $9.75 million
watershed management and wastewater treatment project that was completed in August 2001. CIDA,
through the Canada-Brazil Technology Fund, contributed $3 million to support this initiative. Other
participating Brazilian agencies included the Sanitation Company of the State of São Paulo
(SABESP) and the Environmental Technology Sanitation Company (CETESB). The project drew on
a range of relevant Canadian and private sector capacities, such as informatics tools, regulatory
approaches and wastewater treatment technology.
Environment Canada coordinated the Canadian project team, which involved a wide range of
expertise from the Canadian public and private sectors, while the Brazilian partner coordinated a
consortium of agencies responsible for environmental preservation and the management of São
Paulo’s water and sewer systems. The project is expected to generate approximately $2.5 million
worth of future contracts for Canadian companies.
Source: CIDA.
CIDA also runs the Industrial Cooperation Programme (CIDA INC), which provides
risk-reducing financial support to Canadian firms considering an international venture in
developing countries and the Local Fund for Public Sector Reform in the Southern Cone to
provide short-term Canadian technical assistance (a three-year CAD$750,000 Fund
administered through the Aid Section of the Canadian Embassy in Santiago, Chile).
The CIDA also supports the Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI) programme.
It is based on the premise that since many developing countries do not have the resources for
infrastructure projects and that aid budgets are being reduced worldwide, the involvement of
private sector is necessary.
The maximum financial support extended will be 80 per cent of all eligible costs
(travel expenses, salaries, fees and other costs (e.g. adapting Canadian equipment and
manuals) related to the project). Furthermore, costs for using external financial and legal
experts in developing countries can be covered up to 50 per cent. The participating enterprise
must be well established and prepared for a long-term commitment to the project and the
host country.
5. DENMARK
5.2 Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries and Investment Fund for Central
and Eastern Europe
The Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) and the Investment Fund
for Central and Eastern Europe (IØ) are established to encourage Danish enterprises to invest
in developing countries and in countries in transition and to help promote private sector
development, create jobs and skills and transfer of technology. The programmes participate
in joint ventures through equity capital and/or loans and board membership and provide
advice during the preparatory and initial phases of the investment projects. The loans and
guarantees are typically provided for periods of up to five years. Additionally, the
programme links investors with financial institutions such as the International Finance
Corporation. The programme has a network of advisors working to improve knowledge
about local conditions in many countries. Although majority of the projects are joint
ventures of Danish and local partners, there is no formal requirement for local partnership
and the tendency now has been that there are fewer projects with a local partner.
IFU’s total financial involvement in a project does not normally exceed 30 per cent
of the total investment. IFU may subscribe up to 59 per cent of the share capital of a
company but always less than that of the Danish partner. Eligible host countries for IFU
must be on the OECD’s DAC list of development aid recipients and per capita income may
not exceed $5,115 (2004). Furthermore, IFU administers an Environment and Training Fund,
financed by Danida in countries with a GNP per capita under $2,500. The Fund provides
funds for personnel training, technical assistance, and measures to improve environmental
and working conditions in IFU-projects.
IØ finances projects on the same basis as IFU, but in countries in Central and Eastern
Europe (outside EU) and without the GNP restriction.
The Danish mixed credit programme provides interest free or low interest loans for
financing supplies of equipment and related services for development projects, in a number
of sectors, including water and sanitation, energy, health, environment, and education, as a
direct transfer of established technologies to the recipient country. In addition, all the
commercial contracts financed under this programme are required to have a training element
focused on operations and maintenance. Therefore, local firms may be sub-contractors to
make project deliveries. About DKK 300 million of interest subsidy and related financial
costs are allocated annually.
The mixed credit programme comprises a tied mixed credit facility available in
Danida's programme countries and other relatively creditworthy countries with a GNI per
capita of less than $2,348, and an untied mixed credit facility available only in Danida's
programme countries and South Africa. The two credit facilities are based on the same main
principles and are thus to a wide extent subject to the same terms and conditions.
6. EUROPEAN UNION
7. FINLAND
The equity investment can be up to 30 per cent of the capital of the company being
financed. Finnfund grants medium and long-term investment loans to finance start-up
companies, and acquisitions and expansions of established companies. Financing with
mezzanine instruments comprises unsecured subordinated loans, preferred shares and
convertible bonds. Finnfund’s financing is not tied to Finnish exports but the project should
involve a Finnish interest.
8. FRANCE
The Institute of Research for Development is a French public science and technology
research institute under the joint authority of the French ministries in charge of research and
overseas development. It has three main missions: research, consultancy and training. It
conducts research in Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific in liaison with French
higher education and research institutions and with partners in the South - 36 per cent of the
Institute’s staff works overseas and 600 of its technical staff are from the countries of the
South.
The IRD is an active participant in operations supported by the European Union and
in many international scientific programmes.
CIRAD specializes in agricultural research for the tropic and subtropics as a way of
contributing to rural development in the countries of these regions. It conducts research,
development and training activities and disseminates scientific and technical information. Its
work covers agriculture, veterinary, forestry, and food sciences. Its research centres are
located in France and in several French overseas territories.
The Centre provide new and emerging technologies related to sustainable agricultural
development and conservation of the environment to countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific,
Latin America and Europe. Further, its researchers are posted in 50 countries working with
national research organizations or providing technical support in development projects.
9. GERMANY
The private sector creates jobs, trains local personnel and transfers know-how and
technology. However, private companies, especially SMEs, frequently find themselves
unable to compete on the international stage and often lack the skills and the local contacts.
This is where the PPP programme becomes important in effectively and efficiently meeting
the objective of both public and private good. GTZ has the relevant experience in human
resources development, transfer of agricultural expertise, vocational training, environmental
and social standards, technology transfer, financial services, infrastructure, and social
initiatives/services that complement the private sector needs.
The PPP programme is open to all German and European firms as well as their
affiliates in developing countries, independent of size or business sector.
The contributions of the partners must complement each other to ensure success
quickly and efficiently. The private partner must make at least 50 per cent of the project
costs. GTZ may act as advisor, intermediary, project manager, and specialist. It has
permanent offices in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe with staff in over 120
countries with contacts to partner-country governments, trade associations, and business.
Peruvian coffee is penalized with a price reduction on world markets because the country
lacks generally recognized quality standards. Therefore, Jacobs Coffee in Bremen has started
a project in partnership with the Peruvian Chamber of Coffee in order to bind guaranties of
quality and create a national pricing system graded according to quality. The project will
increase producers’ awareness of quality distinctions, helping them improve income and
reputation. GTZ, together with BMZ and the PPP programme have promoted this project
from April 2000 with over DM 342,000, while Jacobs Coffee has contributed with over
DM400,000.
Source: GTZ.
10. ICELAND
Furthermore, the New Business Venture Fund operates an Export Credit Guarantee
Department that provides guarantees for projects undertaken by Icelandic companies, both in
Iceland and abroad. The Department’s function is to guarantee export-related loans, accounts
receivable, services, investments, and equipment.
ICEIDA activities are bilateral and are carried out on the basis of a special agreement
between the donor country and the recipient country. It can commission official Icelandic
institutions, non-governmental organizations or private companies to implement independent
projects, which ICEIDA selects and prepares, and then monitors. It can furthermore
cooperate with private companies in the developing country. Presently, ICEIDA is engaged
in development cooperation with four countries in Africa (Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia
and Uganda).
ICEIDA cooperation with Malawi dating back to 1989 primarily focused on the development of the
fisheries sector. Through an agreement between Malawi and Iceland, ICEIDA has provided technical
and financial support in developing fisheries research for management of a sustainable fishery on
Lake Malawi. This includes placing an Icelandic fisheries biologist in the country’s main fisheries
research station in Monkey Bay, the operation of the Icelandic funded research vessel R/V
Ndunduma and the coordination of the Inland Fisheries Sector in the Southern African Development
Community, or SADC.
The aim of the cooperation is to assist Malawi to carry out its coordination function in the Inland
Fisheries Sector by establishing a sustainable and functional unit within the Malawi Fisheries
Department. ICEIDA’s provides financial contributions, fisheries adviser and an information adviser
to the Inland Fisheries Sector Technical Co-ordination Unit (IFSTCU) in Lilongwe.
Source: ICEIDA.
11. IRELAND
It also helps companies access Enterprise Ireland’s solutions to other business needs
that may arise - technical, commercial, intellectual property, legal, financial and marketing
skills. Technology Transfer/Business Partnerships Programme help Irish and overseas
technology companies to develop mutually profitable business alliances. Successful
partnerships have included joint ventures, licensing of products and processes, collaborative
research and development, contract manufacturing or “linkage”, and distribution and
marketing agreements.
Since it began to operate in 1998, Enterprise Ireland’s has helped to form over 300
partnerships worldwide. Around 40 new partnership/joint venture agreements are signed
each year. It invites participation from a wide range of sectors, including information and
communication technologies, software, electronics, engineering, biotechnology, healthcare
and food.
12. ITALY
SIMEST provides the following instruments: buys shares worth up to 25 per cent of
the capital stock of foreign companies, whether Italian-controlled or joint ventures; assumes
quotas of foreign investments made by Italian-controlled EU companies; finances foreign
shareholdings, or forms financing pools with the merchant bank and/or multilateral finance
institution; buys shares in Italian or foreign companies in sectors such as financing,
insurance, leasing and manufacturing; assists and advises on investing abroad; and facilitates
access to international and supra-national financing and to EU business internationalization
programmes.
tenders; and pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, technical assistance programmes in non-
EU countries. Financing of pre-feasibility studies covers up to 50 per cent of the outside
estimate, while financing of feasibility studies and technical assistance programmes covers
up to 100 per cent of the outside estimate.
13. JAPAN
JETRO experts are dispatched to assess local plants in supporting industries and to
hold technical seminars and consultation sessions for improvement in those industries. The
personnel from enterprises in supporting industries in developing host countries are also
provided training in Japan.
JITCO helps identify Japanese firms that can provide training and matching them
with the needs of trainees. The training is provided for a period of one year, where the
trainee spends about one-third of the time on off-the-job and two-thirds on on-the-job
training. In the event of Technical Intern Training Programme, the trainee my have an extra
year to master the technology, skills and knowledge used in the industry of interest. JITCO
does not accept interns but promotes the training of overseas trainees in private firms in
Japan and helps in provision of information and recommends suitable foreign nationals to
the Minister of Justice.
JAIDO’s main function is equity participation and provision of loan facilities. Its
investment in a single project varies from ¥10 million to ¥100 million (approx. $86,000-
$860,000). The new company should use proven technology. The project is preferably
export-oriented or of an import-substitution type. The project should create employment in
the host country and deploy environmentally sound practices.
JICA implemented a five-year project, starting in 1989, to create the Ubon Institute for Skill
Development (UBIST) in northeastern Thailand together with the local Ministry of Labour
and Social Welfare. JICA provided grants, advisors, management, technical assistance, and
equipment, helped design the training programmes and train instructors. JICA’s contribution
to the project totalled ¥2.386 billion.27 The centre provides pre-employment, skill
improvement and mobile training services. This initiative has rendered good economic and
social improvements for the region. The graduates now have greater opportunities for
employment in high-paying jobs or for starting their own business.
Source: JICA.
The projects can be classified into four main types: recruitment of experts in
accordance with individual requests from developing countries; research cooperation and
support for important policies combining group dispatch of experts, acceptance of training
participants, and equipment supply; dispatch of personnel from developing countries as
experts to other developing countries with the aims of transferring technology that meets the
needs of individual developing regions and of promoting South-South cooperation (third-
country expert dispatch); and offer-type projects involving suggestions made by Japan to
other countries about essential forms of cooperation (JICA Partnership Programme, Private
Sector Proposal-type Intellectual Assistance Seminars, public participation experts etc. ).
27
http://www.jica.go.jp/english/publication/studyreport/topical/impact/ubon.pdf
14. NETHERLANDS
At the end of 2003, FMO’s investment portfolio amounted to €1.9 billion of which
77 per cent was in countries with low and low-medium levels of income. A little over 40 per
cent of its portfolio is made up of projects in the financial sector. Other focus sectors are
infrastructure, telecommunications, energy, water, export industry and trade.
Senter manages:
• PSO: The Programme for Cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe to transfer
economic knowledge from the Dutch business community to the region through
investments. Its primary goal is to position Dutch companies in the developing
markets by funding projects that are assigned to Dutch companies to transfer
knowledge and expertise.
Senter is involved in a project for the establishment of a safflower oil production plant and production of
safflower by farmers in the Arusha region, Northern Tanzania. The project's aims include the
development of a safflower oil extraction plant with a capacity of 1,000 tons per year. Therefore,
personnel training, dissemination and marketing, as well as experiments with new safflower varieties
containing high oil content will be the main activities conducted. Local farmers in the region will benefit
from production orders of more than 4,000 hectares of safflower and they will receive technical assistance
in order to meet production standards. Up to 80 per cent of the safflower is planned to be produced
pesticide free and will be exported to Europe, the United States and Japan and is expected to meet
internationally acknowledged certifying organization standards. Participants include Quality Food Ltd.,
DLV Agriconsult, and Pop Vriend Seeds BV as the Dutch investor.
Source: Senter.
Another MINEZ’s agency is the Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency (EVD) that
informs Dutch SMEs about business opportunities to be found outside the Netherlands and
finds foreign partners for Dutch companies and helps to establish contact with European
Union's programmes like Asia Invest and with other institutions such as the FMO.
ADAF finances up to 75 per cent of the cost of preliminary studies (max. NZD 500
000). It also provides short-term training and technical assistance. NZODA’s primary
prerequisite is that the activity must address the issue of reduction of poverty in the partner
country. Additionally, the New Zealand partner must demonstrate both a commitment to
development in Asia and that it has the appropriate expertise for the proposed task. The
projects must also have an element of capacity building for the recipient country partner.
NZAID also organizes seminars and publishes documents to disseminate information on its
programmes.
NORSAD is able to finance any project located in a SADC member country that is
technically feasible and economically viable without subsidies and undue protection. Equity
or quasi-equity instruments provided by the project promoters and other investors must
cover 40 per cent of the total cost of the project. The project has to have a positive impact on
the host country and meet international environmental standards.
Loans and guarantees are used for both capital investments and working capital. The
interest rate is fixed and ranges from 7 to 10 per cent a year. A commitment fee of 1 per cent
is payable upon signing the loan agreement. Redemption on a quarterly basis may include a
grace period of not more than two years. NORSAD’s finance should normally not exceed 50
per cent of the total project cost or €2 million. Guarantees in foreign currency to other
finance institutions for loans and credit may be granted for a maximum period of seven
years.
It requires suitable securities for any loans, including bank guarantees, foreign
sponsor guarantees, fixed and floating charges on assets and escrow accounts.
Loans are NORSAD’s main financing method, but it is now introducing equity
investments. Its funds are untied and may be used for the import of machinery, equipment,
raw materials or know-how.
17. NORWAY
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) was created to assist
developing countries in their efforts to achieve lasting improvements in economic and social
conditions for the entire population within the limits imposed by the natural environment and
the natural resource base. Partners in cooperation and beneficiaries of development
cooperation are primarily the central government and local authorities, the civil society, and
the business sector. Promotions of investment and trade projects are given assistance in order
to stimulate transfer of capital and technology to support infrastructure and industrial
development. For this purpose, a series of financial facilities have been established. Norad
provides aid in Asia, Africa and Central America.
Under its strategy for private sector development in the South, Norad’s Matchmaking
Programmes (MMP) helps establish sustainable and profitable joint ventures between
Norwegian companies and companies in India, South Africa and Sri Lanka. MMP may be
directed either at establishing a joint venture between two business partners or developing
linkages with suppliers in the host country. The aims of this programme are to promote
technology transfer and the exchange of management and business skills between South
African/Sri Lanka/Indian and Norwegian companies.
Norad offers financial support in the start-up phase of the investment. It funds up to
50 per cent of the costs of feasibility studies and consultancy assistance. It provides grants
for covering up to 50 per cent of the costs for training of local employees. Costs associated
with investments in environmental protection may receive a grant of up to 80 per cent.
Travel expenses for the partners to visit each other are also covered. The involvement of
partners must be long-term and they must have the intention of being active owners/partners
and be prepared to take risks in the project. Pure export/import-projects are excluded. Norad
demands participants to have the necessary resources for international collaboration, i.e.
technical competence, management capacity/skills as well as financial resources. The home
companies shall normally have been in operation for more than three years.
The Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (NORFUND) makes risk
capital investments through profitable private enterprises in Africa, Asia, Latin America and
the Balkans. Countries with GDP under $5,295 per capita are eligible for investments. It
provides equity and debt financing for new business ventures, expansions, management buy-
ins and buy-outs, and can invest in most sectors of the economy as long as the investment
offers opportunities for growth, profitability and local development.
The main objective of NORFUND’s activities is to address the lack of private risk
capital in developing countries. Therefore, NORFUND concentrates primarily on equity
capital for direct investment and investments in local investment funds. It also uses other
financial instruments to the degree that is desirable and necessary in order to facilitate the
transaction.
NORFUND not only provides capital but also expertise for the establishment of
commercial enterprises in developing countries. NORFUND shares the risk and the profits
of its partners and plays a professional role, actively contributing to the success of the
projects in which it is involved.
Norfish Blagaj, a fish farming company in Mostar, Bosnia, is specializing in hatching and growing trout.
In 2000, NORFUND acquired 70 per cent of the company together with the Norwegian Balkan Invest AS,
a Norwegian group of experienced fish farmers. By bringing in the latest technology and methods for
running a fish farm the plan is to increase productivity and profits substantially. In January 2002, the plant
opened a processing and packaging facility. With a capacity of close to 20 tons a day, the company is now
able to offer processed products and transport fresh fish over long distances.
Source: NORFUND.
18. PORTUGAL
Among ICEP’s support instruments are IPAD, the Portuguese Development Support
Institute; COSAC, a Credit Insurance Company; IAPMEI, the Institute for Supporting Small
and Medium Enterprises and Investment; and IPE CAPITAL, a Risk Capital Company.
19. SPAIN
20. SWEDEN
development of the institutional framework, private sector development, small and medium
size enterprises, establishment of efficient financial markets, infrastructure development,
trade related projects, human resource development and training for business people, and
promotes alliances between companies in Sweden and the partner country.
SWEDFUND invests in any developing country, with a focus on countries with a per
capita GNP of less than $3,000 per year. It also invests in Eastern European countries with
the exception of the countries that are members of the European Union. Investments may be
made in most industries with the exception of companies that manufacture or distribute
weapons, tobacco and alcohol.
SWEDFUND may provide up to 30 per cent of the total capital required but not seed
capital and the Swedish partner should have at least a three-year track record and
international business experience.
LRF’s (Federation of Swedish Farmers) venture capital company SwedeAgri Invest and Swedfund have
invested SEK 100 million in the Lithuanian diary group Pieno Zwaigzdes (PZ). LRF and Swedfund
together own one third of the shares in the company. Swedfund invested SEK 25 million. Swedfund’s role
is to share the risk and be a financer of a company that needs financial resources to restructure its business
and increase its competition and profit.
Through the investment, Swedfund and SwedeAgri take part in creating a market leader on fresh dairy
products in Lithuania. Thanks to the added capital, PZ can contribute to the re-structuring of the diary
industry in the country, which is necessary in order to manage the international competition in the future.
The project also leads to transfer of knowledge from Sweden to Lithuania. Education of the diary farmers
is emphasized in order to improve the hygiene and to receive a higher quality and better efficiency on the
farms. Due to projects like these, Lithuania, the largest farmland in the Baltic region, opens up to
opportunities for Swedish food companies.
Source: Swedfund.
21. SWITZERLAND
21.1 Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) – Swiss Development Finance
Corporation (SDFC)
The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and institutional investors
have launched the Swiss Development Finance Corporation (SDFC), a private company that
promotes private direct investment in developing countries and transitional economies over
the long term, mainly in projects that are export-driven and are SMEs. SDFC’s provides
credit facilities and equity financing, and through syndication of additional debt financing by
other financial institutions. SDFC investors expect profits commensurate with the risks they
accept.
SECO mobilizes private sector resources to increase the flow of finance and transfer
of technology, know-how and management skills to the developing countries and improve
the host’s productive and social infrastructure to achieve greater integration into
international markets.
The Corporation provides mezzanine or equity portion of the financing package and
financial consultancy and grants varying between 35 and 50 per cent, depending on the
development status of the recipient country and the characteristics of the project concerned.
SDFC also offers management services, among others. Project credits may be granted in
countries with a per capita income of less than $3,035.
The Swiss Organisation for Facilitating Investments (SOFI) was created in 1997 on
the initiative of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) in cooperation with
KPMG. SOFI promotes investment projects between Swiss SMEs and counterparts in
developing countries and transition economies and to enable the transfer of capital,
technology and managerial skills in the process. Currently, it has agreements with about 80
countries in Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia and Eastern and Central Europe.
SOFI is a one-stop shop providing SMEs the full range of services, from the
inception of an investment idea to the successful implementation of an investment project.
It provides risk capital for investment and arranges the necessary funding; assists in
negotiations and works with the management team to develop the business. Additionally, it
provides in-depth understanding of how developing economies work. It has on-the-ground
presence and sector specialists across developing and developed countries, and promotes
linkages through contact information in its databases. It also offers appreciation of risk and
risk mitigation analyses, facilitation of dealings with governments and other regulatory
offices, and introduction of co-investors.
This fund is open to any registered private sector enterprise, as well as to business and civil-
society organizations in the UK and selected countries in Africa and the Caribbean. BLCF
makes grants for the development of business linkages that improve competitiveness and
benefit the poor. Grants are allocated on a competitive basis to ensure that public funds are
used to best effect. Projects should demonstrate real innovation and help the poor. Approved
linkages will mobilize enterprises and their representatives by transferring skills, information
and technology, improving sourcing, product supply and market access.
FDCF encourages and supports banks and other commercial financial institutions
registered in selected countries across Africa, Asia or the UK to develop innovative and
sustainable financial products and services that benefit the poor. The fund aims to contribute
to developing strong financial services sectors that allow the poor, and enterprises owned by
or employing the poor, to access financial services. The FDCF supports projects involving
the development and piloting of a broad range of innovative financial services (e.g. in credit,
savings, insurance, health cover, mortgages, pensions, leasing, working capital and
remittances), and improvements to the regulatory and supervisory environment.
The Challenge Funds grants in the BLCF and FDCF are cost-sharing contributions
that do not exceed the amount invested by the private partners, and with a maximum value of
£1,000,000. Bidders' contributions are necessary to demonstrate their commitment and belief
in the viability and sustainability of the project. The BLCF has a specific window to co-fund
proposals by business consortia that aim at improving the enabling environment for private
sector development. The FDCF has committed its full allocation of funds and is no longer
open for new grants.
organizations, which provide technologies and services, as well as information and advice
needed to deal with environmental problems. This is done through international partnerships.
Grain milling is already the most widespread use of hydropower in the Himalayas. Traditional wooden
watermills (gharats) have been used for hundreds of years, but are crude and inefficient and are now
falling into disuse. Other essential crop processing needs in the region include rice hulling and oil
expelling tasks currently undertaken with laborious manual methods by the village women, or by carrying
produce long distances to diesel or electric mills. DFID funded a 20-month project managed by IT Power
to provide technical assistance in developing sustainable new agro-processing schemes and disseminating
the technology more widely. A five-day training programme was carried out from 10-14 December 2001
for watermillers, fabricators, engineering diploma students and rural development NGOs, with
sponsorship from Engineers Against Poverty. The training was aimed at building capacity among
watermiller communities to operate and maintain the new waterpower systems.
With the basic gharat upgrade, the millers can grind much more wheat and save a lot on energy thus
increasing their income. Their earnings are also nearly three times that which could be earned using the
same power to generate electricity, but at a fraction of the investment cost. Over 100 gharat upgrades are
now in use. The cross-flow installations expand the use of hydropower for agro-processing and are also
efficient energy producers. Two cross flow systems were implemented under the DFID project, each
operating a rice-huller and generator, and have been successfully serving their local communities. If the
miller can de-husk 200 kg/day for 200 days per year then he will pay back the investment in less than
three years.
Source: DFID.
USAID has developed the Global Trade & Technology Network (GTN), a
programme that facilitates the formation of business linkages and technology transfer. GTN
matches the technological needs of companies in developing countries with technical
solutions in the US. The programme disseminates trade leads via e-mail to companies in the
US, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Southeast Europe that register with GTN for free.
GTN cooperates with other USAID technology transfer programmes, most notably
the EcoLinks programme, which facilitates the transfer of US environmental technologies to
countries in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.
For example, a major Czech manufacturer of solar collectors and solar thermal
systems submitted a Global Trade & Technology Network (GTN) trade lead for innovative
solar energy utilization. CS Prague/EcoLinks matched the company through GTN with a US
firm. Both firms applied for an EcoLinks Quick Response Award (QRA) grant that was
approved in 2001. The $5,000 QRA financed joint initiatives, funded the initial meetings,
and paid for the technical review. As the result, the Czech company placed an order for solar
energy utilization equipment. The value of this first order was $13,080. The direct follow-up
of that matching was a second order placed with the US company’s mother company for
additional solar energy utilization equipment. The total amount of the Czech company’s
orders was $103,755.
23.2 USAID-Leland
USAID runs a project called the Leland Initiative whose goal is to establish well-
functioning Internet services in over 20 African countries by enabling partners to connect to
the Internet and other global information infrastructure (GII) technologies. The project
supports policy reforms, facilitates low-cost and high-speed access to the Internet and uses
proven mechanisms to build networks of active users. It works with the private and public
sectors to build sustainable networks and profitable Internet service providers.
The Leland Initiative provides the infrastructure, hardware and training. In order to
join, the USAID country office will have to make a request to Leland Washington. The
national telecommunication and Internet policies and status are evaluated through country
visits and consultations with national authorities. If a request is approved, a memorandum of
understanding is signed and a plan of action developed.
Annex 2
Enterprises should:
1. Endeavour to ensure that their activities are compatible with the science and
technology (S&T) policies and plans of the countries in which they operate and as appropriate
contribute to the development of local and national innovative capacity.
2. Adopt, where practicable in the course of their business activities, practices that
permit the transfer and rapid diffusion of technologies and know-how, with due regard to the
protection of intellectual property rights.
4. When granting licenses for the use of intellectual property rights or when otherwise
transferring technology, do so on reasonable terms and conditions and in a manner that
contributes to the long term development prospects of the host country.
Annex 3
DAC list of aid recipients (as of 1 January 2003)
Annex 4
Websites of agencies, programmes and institutions profiled
Australian Aid Agency
<http://www.ausaid.gov.au/> as of July 2004.
Austria – FGG
<< http://www.awsg.at/> as of July 2004.
Belgium – SBI-BMI
<http://www.bmi-sbi.be/> as of July 2004.
Netherlands Senter
<http://www.senter.nl/> as of July 2004.
Swedfund International
<http://www.swedfund.se/ July 2004.
Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs - Swiss Development Finance Corporation
<http://www.seco-admin.ch/> as of July 2004.
UK Challengefunds Programme
<http://www.challengefunds.org/> as of July 2004.
Responding to the mandate received from member States at the recent Ministerial
Conference in São Paolo as well as from the Bangkok Plan of Action, the UNCTAD
secretariat is implementing a transfer of technology and intellectual property rights (TOT-IP)
work plan under its international arrangements programme (covering issues related to
investment, as well as technology and intellectual property). The TOT-IP initiative seeks to
help developing countries participate effectively in international discussions on technology
transfer and intellectual property, and to identify policy options for successfully integrating
developing countries into the world economy. The programme conducts research and policy
analysis, technical assistance and policy dialogues with negotiators, diplomats and policy
makers.
The TOT study series addresses government officials, international organizations and
agencies, and researchers. It draws lessons from successful experiences with technology
transfer and diffusion in developing countries and the effectiveness of the different modes of
technology transfer.
28
UNCTAD (2001) Compendium of international arrangements on transfer of technology: selected
instruments, UNCTAD/ITE/IPCMisc.5
• Training course on TOT. Another activity carried out under the TOT-IP
programmerelates to the design of a “Training Course on Issues Related to
Technology Transfer” for capital-based policy makers and Geneva-based negotiators,
as well as developing country universities. The course modules are currently being
finalized.
The project aims at improving the understanding of the development implications of IPRs;
and facilitating informed participation in ongoing multilateral, regional and bilateral
negotiations as well as assisting national authorities in the implementation and adoption of
forward-looking IPRs policies.
• Studies on various topical IPR issues including transfer of technology, public health,
geographical indications, nutrition, traditional knowledge, TRIPS-plus in bilateral and
regional agreements, technical assistance, innovation, competition, and computer
software.
• At the international level, the project has convened a series of dialogues involving key
policy makers and stakeholders at the Rockefeller Foundation facilities in Bellagio,
29
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development.
Italy, in order to build and promote a development-oriented agenda on IPRs. The next
Bellagio dialogues will be held in October and December 2004.
• At the regional and national level, the project works closely with selected centres of
excellence based in established universities and research institutions in developing
countries, as well as with NGOs, media and parliamentarians. The main means of
collaboration are joint research and regional dialogues, which draw, inter alia, on the
existing and ongoing research described above.
3. Outreach and dissemination. Outreach and dissemination are carried out both
though traditional channels and, in particular, through the continuous updating and
maintenance of the project website (www.iprsonline.org). Regular informal encounters with
stakeholders in Geneva are organized to continue raising awareness and to keep Geneva-
based delegations properly informed of the project’s activities, including the regional
dialogues.
Since 2001, the project has benefited from the financial support of the Department for
International Development (DFID; UK), the Swedish International Development Cooperation
Agency (SIDA) and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Transfer of Technology for Successful Integration into the Global Economy 206 p. Sales No.
E.03.II.D.31.
Tax Incentives and Foreign Direct Investment A Global Survey. 177 p. Sales No. E. 01.II.D.5
Transfer of Technology for Successful Integration into the Global Economy : A case study of the
Pharmaceutical Industry in India. 52 p. UNCTAD/ITE/MISC.22
Transfer of Technology for Successful Integration into the Global Economy : A case study of the
South African automotive industry . 34 p. UNCDAT/ITE/IPC/MISC. 21
Transfer of Technology for Successful Integration into the Globa Economy : A case study of
Embraer in Brazil 61 p. UNCTAD/ITE/IPC/MISC.20.
Transfer of Technology for Successful Integration into the Global Economy. 206 p. Sales No.
E.03.II.D.31
Protecting Traditional Knowledge and Folklore: A review of progress in diplomacy and policy
formulation. Issue Paper No. 1, by Graham Dutfield, 2003.
Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Rights: Lesson's from Korea's Experience. Issue
Paper No. 2, by Linsu Kim, 2003.
Indicators of the Relative Importance of IPRs in Developing Countries. Issue Paper No.3, by
Sanjaya Lall, with the collaboration of Manuel Albaladejo, 2003.
Nutrition and Technology Transfer Policies. Issue Paper No. 6, by John H. Barton, 2004.
Encouraging International Technology Transfer. Issue Paper No. 7, by Keith E. Maskus, 2004.
Development in the Information Age: Issues in the Regulation of Intellectual Property Rights,
Computer Software and Electronic Commerce. Issue Paper No. 9, by Ruth L. Okediji, 2004.
Intellectual Property and Computer Software, A Battle of Competing Use and Access Visions for
Countries of the South. Issue Paper No. 10, by Alan Story, 2004.