bothinruralandurbanareas,because landlessness inruralareashasbeenthe driving forceforpeopletomoveintothecitiesofsomecountries intheregion. 31.53 Toachieve thegoalofshelter forallbytheyear2000,membercountries willhavetomakeradical changes increditprocedures. Ithasbeenrecognized thatinformal community-based financial mechanisms canbestrengthened and systematized toprovide creditthatmeetsthetermsthatthelow-income households canprovide. Following that,innovative community-based housing finance mechanisms willbepromoted through studies ofsuccessful casesintheregion, the dissemination oftheresults ofthosestUdies andtheprovision ofguidelines and training. 31.54 Localbodiesthatsetstandards andspecifications onhousing andcredit institutions willbeencouraged topromote theuseofimproved indigenous technologies andmaterials thatareaccessible topeopleintheurban an~rural areas. 31.55Special measures willbetakentopromote theroleofcommunity-based organizations, including women's organizations, andtoencourage co-ordinated action between local·authorities andcommunity-based organizations forthe improvement ofhumansettlements. 31.56 Thenetwork oflocalauthorities andnon-governmental organizations will continue toreceive support andassistance intheimplementation ofits activities. Thoseactivities willbefurther expanded tocovertheexchange of community members andwomenfromlow-income settlements oftheregion. SUPPROGRAMME 7.INDUSTRIAL ANDTECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT (a)Objectives 31.57 Thelegislative authority forthesubprogramme derives fromCommission resolutions 235(XL),241(XLI), 256(XLII) and274(XLIV). 31.58 Thedeveloping AsianandPacific region, despite disparities inindustrial andtechnological developments atnational levels, hasachieved animpressive economic andindustrial performance duringthe19705and1980s. Mostofthe -14-• Digitized by Dag Hammarskjöld Librarycountries oftheregionhaveimproved theirindustrial performance through a strengthening ofdomestic demandaswellasthrough increased penetration intothe international markets. Several countries havesuccessfully improved their technological levels andhaveemerged asinternationally competitive suppliers of manufactured products. Theadverse external economic environment, increasing difficulties withregardtotransfer oftechnology, andrestrictions in international markets, aswellasslowgrowthindomestic demand, havecreated new challenges tothedeveloping countries ofAsiaandthePacific. 31.59 Thedeveloping countries oftheregionneedtotakemeasures tomaintain and improve theirindustrial andtechnological development. Thefastrateof technological changeinindustrialized countries willrequire flexible andtimely adjustment bydeveloping countries inindustrial andtechnological policyresponses ifthetechnologically under-equipped developing countries aretomaintain and improve theirposition intheglobalstructure ofindustrial production. 31.60Itisessential thatthosecountries, whichhavethepotential forincreased production ofmanufactured goods,endeavour toimprove theircompetitiveness in termsofpriceandquality ofproducts through theuseofnewandemerging technologies andbyimproving theirmanpower skillsfortheutilization ofadvanced technologies intheirindustrial production processes inordertocompete effectively internationally. Itisessential todevelop policy andinfrastructure measures for(a)improved andefficient mechanisms fortechnology transfer and adaptation, (b)newmechanisms offinancing toattract additional finance and industrial investment, (c)strategies toimprove theeconomic relationship between countries oftheregioninordertoexpandopportunities fortradeamongthemand toencourage acomplementary industrial structure, (d)strengthening ofexisting andestablishment ofnewfacilities toencourage moreforeign directinvestment in ordertocontribute tonational industrialization efforts andtechnological enhancements whileminimizing thepossible negative impact, (e)examination of
**Analysis**
This text appears to be discussing the economic development of the Asian and Pacific region, with a focus on industrial and technological development, as well as the role of community-based organizations and local authorities in promoting economic growth. The text also touches on the need for countries in the region to adapt to rapid technological change and to improve their competitiveness in international markets.

**Category**
Economic development, Industry