itsimportance wasrecognized wasreflected inthelargenumberofdeveloping countries thathadaskedtheCentre forassistance indevising specific policies fortheacquisition oftechnology; inthestruLturing ofspecific projects and related technology requirements inparticular sectors; andintheutilization of thetechnology policystudies prepared bytheCentreintraining workshops dealing withthescreening, approving, monitoring andpromoting offoreign investment and technology transfer. TheDirector al~ohighlighted someofthecritical factors to betakenintoaccount intheformulation ofanappropriate technology policy. He stressed, however, thatthosemeasures hadtobeevaluated, applied ormodified in thelightoftheprevailing conditions ineachcountry. Although thetechnological gapwaswidening andrapidtechnological changes weretakingplace,itwaspossible forthedeveloping countries, withappropriate absorption policies, tomore effectively harness theflowsofproduction, management andmarketing techniques fromtransnational corporations fortheirowndevelopmental purposes. Finally, the Director statedthattheCentre's technical co-operation programme wasstill relevant evenduring theemergence ofu,)winterrelationships between transnational corporations andhostdeveloping countries. Heexpressed appreciation forthe continued support of.thedonorcountries inproviding thenecessary financial resources toimplement theCentre's technical co-operation programme. 96.Delegations stressed theimportance theyattached totheCentre's technical co-operation programme anditscontribution tothestrengthening ofthenegotiating capacity ofhostdeveloping countries intheirdealings withtransnational corporations. Somedelegations whoseGovernments wererecipients oftheCentre's advisory and~raining services expres~ed appreciation forthetechnical assistance rendered bytheCentre, including, interalia,thepromotion ofnewandalternative formsofinternational economic co-operation. Someregional andsubregional projects beingundertaken bytheCentre werealsoacknowledged andappreciated bya numberofdelegations. Onedelegation commented, asdidtheChairman, thatitwas -39- 99.Several delegat~ons notedwithappreciation theincreasing numberofdonorcountries totheCentI's's TrustFundandthecontinued financial support ofprevious donorcountries. Anumberofdelegations reiterated theirGovernments'pledges for1989totheTrustFund.98.Twodelegations expressed concern thattheCentre's activities intheareaoftechnology transfer mightbeaduplication ofthosebeingundertaken byotherUnitedNations agencies. Another delegation requested thattheCentre programmeitsr€gional activities inAfrica onthebasisofemerging areasofconvergencesuchasthesubregional economic integration groupings. -40- nzm,rttt"'"'most helpful, especially forthedonorcountries totheTrustFund,forrecipientrlGovernments toexpress theirviewsontheeffectiveness andusefulness oftheIt"technical assistance provided I;.thembytheCentre. ~97.Inconsidering theCentre's activities inthetransfer oftechnology to!..•.~r•.'developing countries,onedelegation suggested thattheCentre conduct studies on.~theimpactoftechnology transfer onemployment, incomedistribution, balance ofIIIpayments, maximum utilization oflocalnatural resources andself-sustained:,"jdevelopment. Thatdelegation alsosuggested certain measures tostrengthen and~expandtheroleoftheCentreinassisting developing countries tomaximize the ljbenefits tobederived fromtheacquisition offoreign technology. AnotherIdelegation notedwithappreciation theCentre's efforttofocusonaparticular :".111issue,thatis,technology transfer, inpresenting theitem. Somedelegations:Jexpressed satisfaction withthesubstantial increase ofindicative planning 1figure (IPF)resources fromtheUnitedNations Development Programme for projel~ ..•executed bytheCentre, reflecting theconfidence ofhostcountries intheCentre's ,Itechnical co-operation programme. 'I ....1 .,1 ~ 1.j 1I! '..j .\ II,I,.I
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of technology transfer and cooperation between developing countries and transnational corporations, highlighting the role of the Centre in facilitating this process. The text mentions various aspects of technology transfer, including the formulation of technology policies, the utilization of technology studies, and the provision of technical assistance. The focus is on the economic development of developing countries, and the text mentions the impact of technology transfer on employment, income distribution, and balance of payments.

**Category**
Economic development, Science and technology