Technology transfer from developed countries is not benefitting Bangladesh as the country remains ill-prepared due to inadequate research about its needs and other assessments.
The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) in a policy paper prepared recently underscored conducting "Needs Assessment and Technology Assessment" to derive actual benefits from technology transfer from the developed countries.
It says that the key factors for the failure of technology transfer are a lack of needs assessment and a lack of technology assessment, read the paper prepared for placing with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The documentation is part of a survey on LDC (least-developed country) needs and priorities for technology transfer under TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) Article 66.2.
The WTO Secretariat is likely to organize the next annual workshop on Implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement next March.
The MoC found Bangladesh far from finishing the technological needs-assessment task as of yet.
It noted that different policy papers in Bangladesh have put priorities on the technology-transfer front, as the world is on the cusp of fast transition into the high-tech era.
After finalizing the technological needs assessment, Bangladesh would be able to set its priorities right in specific context.
The country would need technology for the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical raw materials, especially active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), that require high levels of engineering and skilled chemists for the pharmaceutical sector, the ministry also said.
It notes that there is significant potential for countries to transition to greener-energy systems when technologies are transferred into a country's major economic sectors.
In the case of Bangladesh, the ready-made garment (RMG) is a key sector. The country is the fifth-largest exporter to the EU and among the top 10 suppliers to the US.
While some factories have started using renewable energy and more energy-efficient technologies, there is a lack of financial support, innovation and technologies.
In the paper, the MoC also put priorities on green technology for renewable energy, technology for power grid, marine technology, climate change, technology for ensuring quality and quantity of hides and skins, technology for the flaying, preservation and transportation of rawhides and skins in leather production etc.
It also seeks textile technology for product diversification and branding, clean technology for cutting, stitching and processing of raw hides and skins in leather production, use of modern tanning chemicals aimed at clean tanneries, in terms of effluent-treatment technology, management and maintenance of the CETP, and particularly process and effluent monitoring and certification.
Meanwhile, the MoC had distributed the survey questionnaire to all government agencies, or national expert groups, that have responsibilities relevant to each listed technology sector.
The ministry sent the survey answers through the permanent mission of Bangladesh in Geneva.
