SENIOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT OFFICIALS meeting in Tianjin, China, called for policies to encourage greater subcontracting to domestic firms by the affiliates of transnational corporations (TNCs). They pointed out that greater integration into international supply chains will allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to tap into the technological expertise of TNCs, thereby boosting their international competitiveness.

The meeting, for the Asia region, was co-funded by the Global Programme and convened by UNCTAD and the Chinese National Centre for Studies on Multinationals.

During the three-day event countries were able to present their experiences in attracting FDI. They also analysed the strategies employed by TNCs in making their investment and outsourcing decisions. These discussions were complemented by a visit to the Tianjin and Guangzhou Export Processing Zones.

The outcome of the seminar is a better understanding in the Asia region of what measures are required in order to promote the transfer of technology successfully at the national and sub-national levels, and ultimately, how best to increase the competitiveness of SMEs in the export sector.

For more information, please email:

anh-nga.tran-nguyen@unctad.org

Click here to go to the main news page.

Click here to go to the Tianjin meeting page.