theDirector statedthat th~rehadbeenasteadypattern ofgrowth overtheyears inthenumber ofrequests forinformation received bytheCentre, aswellasa recent increase inthenumber ofrequests forassistance indeveloping national information systems ontransnational corporations -anareathat epitomiz~d the interdependent andinseparable nature oftheCentre's information system and programme oftechnical co-operation. 156.Delegations expressed appreciation fortheworkoftheCentre withrespect to thedevelopment oftheinformation system. Theysupported theCentre's information programme andthewaysinwhichthemacro-economic, legal,contractual, corporate andbibliographic components ofthesystem werebeingimproved andbroadened. Particular mention wasmadeofthetimeliness, reliability andaccuracy ofthedata provided; workconcerning trendsintheactivities oftransnational corporations, including aproposed directory ontransnational corporation investment, aswellas theexpansion ofthedatabaseonforeign direct investment, theactivities of transnational corporations inandfrom160countries, andtheregulatory framework pertaining tothem;thecomputerized indexoncontracts andagreements between transnational corporations andhostcountries, aswellasthecollection offoreign investment laws;andtheefforts tocollect andcomputerize basicnumerical dataon theworld's largest transnational corporations inthemanufacturing andextractive sectors andtoexpand thecollection ofsuchdatatotheareaofservices. Inthat regard, onedelegntion expressed theneedtocollect dataontransnational banks. Special importance wasattached totheexpansion ofcorporate databaseswith respect toinformation onparent companies andforeign affiliates ona country-by-country basis. -56- lth to :1.1 :0 lon :l.ta :l.S 19n on le lat157.Delegations alsoaffirmed theirsupport fortheongoing programme ofthe Centre toassistinthedevelopment ofnational information systems, andnotedthe increased co-operation withnational research institutes oninformation matters. Theysupported activities aimedatproviding developing countries withthe practical meanstoacquire anduseinformation relating totransnational corporations. Theyobserved thattheCentre couldbecome thefocalpointforthe exchange ofnumerical andtextual information ontransnational corporations and foreign direct investment. ItwasalsonotedthattheCentre wasinaposition to ensurethatthedatawouldbecollected andexchanged according tointernational standards tofacilitate analysis andintegration innational databases. The Centre mightalsostudywaysinwhichdeveloping countries couldcontribute tothe workof~heCentre forthedevelopment ofsystems atthenational level. 158.Incommenting ontheproposed manual oninformation needsandsources, delegations recognized theeffort oftheCentre toidentify problems ofinformation management indeveloping countries, aswellastodevise proposals forsolving them. TheynotedtheworkoftheCentre inmaking available information on information sources. Itwasalsorecommended thattheCentreassist developing countries ingaining access todatabasesontechnology choices, technology assessment, patents, licensing andcontractual arrangements, andotheraspects of thetransfer oftechnology. Action takenbytheCommission 159.TheCommission tooknoteofthereportoftheSecretary-General onamanual on information needsandsources (E/C.I0/1989/15) andrequested theSecretary-General toreport totheCommission atitssixteenth session ontheexperience gained in thedevelopment ofthecomprehensive information system, taking intoaccount the viewsexpressed bydelegations atthefifteenth session. -57- _______ ....... ..................--.,--- ..........---.I-i .'':I';;, t Chapter XI PROVISIONAL AGENDA FORTHESIXTEENTH SESSION OFTHECOMMISSION 160.TheCommission considered item12ofitsagendaatits12thmeeting, on
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the development of a comprehensive information system related to transnational corporations and foreign direct investment. It mentions the collection and exchange of data, the development of national information systems, and the provision of technical cooperation. The text also touches on the importance of international standards and the potential for the Centre to become a focal point for the exchange of information.

**Category**
Industry, International trade