UNCTAD advocates that “the key to sustained economic growth and poverty reduction in LDCs is the development of productive capacities and related creation of productive employment. The Least Developed Countries Report 2007: Knowledge, Technological Learning and Innovation for Development corroborates this view by focusing on knowledge accumulation, technological learning and the ability to innovate as vital processes toward genuine productive capacity development in these countries.”  (UNCTAD website) 

“The Report shows that the current pattern of technology flows to LDCs through international trade, foreign direct investment and intellectual property licensing does not contribute to narrowing the knowledge divide.

“The Report highlights four policy issues with regard to the above:

• Integration of STI policies with development and poverty reduction strategies of LDCs.
• Impact of stringent intellectual property regimes on technological development processes in LDCs, and how appropriate policies could improve the learning environment in these countries.
• Preventing the loss of skilled workers through emigration.
• How knowledge aid (as part of official development assistance) could be used to support learning and innovation in LDCs.” (UNCTAD website) 

 

Sources:

UNCTAD The Least Developed Countries Report 2007: Knowledge, Technological Learning and Innovation for Development.  On the UNCTAD website. http://www.unctad.org/Templates/WebFlyer.asp?intItemID=4314