WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONIP/C/W/132/Add.4
6 August 1999
(99-3340)
Council for Trade-Related Aspects
of Intellectual Property RightsOriginal:  English
IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE  66.2:  INFORMATION FROM
DEVELOPED COUNTRY MEMBERS
Addendum
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THEIR MEMBER STATES
The present document reproduces information on the implementation of Article 66.2 of the
TRIPS Agreement by the European Communities and by Austria, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Information on the implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement by other member
States of the European Communities will be circulated as a supplement to this document.
_______________
I. INTRODUCTION
At the meeting of the Council for TRIPS on 1 and 2 December 1998, the Council agreed to
circulate the question put by the delegation of Haiti and invited developed country Members to supply
information in response to that question.  This note provides information from the EuropeanCommunities and their member States.
For many years the European Communities and their member States have been conducting
development cooperation activities including transfer of technologies and intellectual property.  Some
of our activities on transfer of technologies and intellectual property were already reported underArticle 67 in the context of technical cooperation.  In addition, the European Communities and their
member States provide different incentives to facilitate the flow of community investment in a
number of least-developed countries.  Although they are not specifically dedicated to transfer of
technologies, these instruments are designed to facilitate the flow of investment.  In that respect,
establishment of strong enforceable IP rights and liberalisation of foreign direct investment regimesby developing countries are also important to facili tate technology transfer.  In particular, investment
by the private sector is recognised as a key factor in sustainable development and an instrument that
facilitates the flow of capital, technologies a nd know-how.  The following programmes are examples
of activities undertaken by the European Communities and their member States in areas covering
transfer of technologies.IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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II. INCENTIVES AND INSTRUMENTS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL.
Centre for the Development of Industry and the Lomé Convention IV bis
Under the Lomé Convention IV bis, the Centre  for the Development of Industry (CDI) is a
joint EU/ACP institution providing financial a nd technical assistance to European and ACP
entrepreneurs engaged in the setting up of industrial  projects in the ACP Countries.  The CDI provides
assistance to ACP and European companies in the form  of four facilities: identification of partners ;
assistance in the preparatory work; advice on the stru cturing of the project (financial and legal); and
support during the take-off phase.  The EU may also finance investment projects under the Lomé
Convention in the form of loans, interest-rate subsidies and the provision of risk capital.  As far as the
geographical scope of this programme is concerned, it covers Haiti and 24 other countries that have
least developed country status in the the TRIPS Council.  In addition to the finance investmentprojects under the Lomé Convention in the form of loans, interest-rate subsidies and the provision of
risk capital, it must be noted that most of the sectors of intervention (Article 229) cover areas where
transfer of technologies and know-how exist in or der to meet the objective of contribution to the
development of the capacity of the ACP States  to innovate, adapt and transform technology
(Article 220).
The ECIP programme
Launched in 1988, the European Community Investment Partner (ECIP) was allocated
ECU 50 million for the 1996-1999 period to cover Community investment in Asia, Mediterraneanthird countries and Latin America.  The programme operates through five facilities.  In the context of
Article 66.2 it should be noted that facilities 2, 3 and 4 are relevant.  These operate on the basis of
reimbursable, non interest-bearing advances for stud ies prior to the setting up of a joint venture
between the EU and one of the countries eligible un der the ECIP programme; the acquisition of equity
holdings and the provision of loan capital to fund new joint ventures, or the expansion of existingenterprises working under licence with enterprises of the European Union, and reimbursable, non
interest-bearing advances for training or for assistance in joint ventures.
The AL-Invest programme
The European Union has set up an AL-Invest instrument to encourage industrial cooperation
between the EU and Latin America.  This encompasses meetings between individual enterprises;specialized meetings on questions of sub-contracting; the creation of centres of cooperation involving
enterprises in Latin America; the use of comput erized systems for cooperation between enterprises;
and AL-partners meetings.  The Union decided to earmark ECU 41 million for this programme for the
1996-2000 period.
The Asia-Invest programme
In 1997 the EU launched an Asia-Invest prog ramme along the lines of AL-Invest with an
estimated budget of ECU 45 million for the 1997-2002 period.  This comprises different facilities:
- the Business Priming Fund co-finances actions of the following types:
• research and prospecting of new markets in Asia carried out by Chambers of
Commerce or business associations from two or more member States;
• training programmes for entrepreneurs in the language and culture of EU or Asian
countries;IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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• technical assistance to promote transfer of know-how to the least developed Asian
countries.
- Asia-Enterprise and Asia-Partenariat  co-finance large scale business meetings where
entrepreneurs can discuss possible partnerships.
- The Asia Investment Facility finances sectoral or country studies in order to identify, evaluate
and promote investment opportunities for EU enterprises in Asia.
- Asia-Invest's newsletter, a web-site and memb ership scheme further promote networking and 
partnership between EU and Asian business.
Asia-Ecobest programme
In 1997, a new programme was launched.  It promotes European environment best practices
and business and operates through the Regional Institute of Environmental Technology (RIET).  Asia-
Ecobest promotes and satisfies, through a method of co-financing, an increased demand in respect ofenvironment related information and enabling activities in both the less and more advanced countries
of Asia.  RIET seeks to attain the objectives by designing and marketing an attractive package of
"service tools".
The European Investment Bank (EIB)
(1) EIB loans may be granted to public or private borrowers in support of projects in all
sectors of the economy, ranging from communications, environment and energy
infrastructure to industry, services and agriculture.
The EIB finances large-scale projects by means of individual loans (upwards of
EUR 25 million) concluded directly with promoters or through financial
intermediaries.
Small and medium-scale projects are funded indirectly through global loans made
available to banks or financial institutions operating at European, national or regional
level.
(2) A number of the finance contracts and projects bringing together European and local
partners in all areas of the world (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific countries,
Mediterranean countries, Latin America and Asian countries) include elements of
technology transfer or help to protect the environment (e.g.  hydro-electric powerstations, storage of water, air navigation and communication equipment, etc.).
Programme on international cooperation (INCO)
During the 4th RTD Framework Programme (1994-1998) , 43% of INCO's resources were
directed towards scientific & technological cooperation with developing countries in Asia, Sub-
Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean and Latin America.
345 joint-research projects and 46 concerted actions were selected and funded, for a total cost
of ECU 196 million, of which roughly 50% was spent in funding partners in developing countries.
These 391 consortia of scientists and research institutions, working in voluntarily established
partnerships, involved around 2 400 scientific teams.  Of these, half were located in developingIP/C/W/132/Add.4
Page 4
countries and the remaining in the EU.  Thematic areas covered by these projects were Agriculture,
Health and Natural Resources.
III. PROGRAMMES AND INCENTIVES DEVELOPED BY MEMBER STATES.
AUSTRIA
The activities financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation comprise capacity building
and scientific cooperation on a general level.  Apart from this educational budget line, there exists a
program of economic partnership which provides incentives to Austrian companies to start up
business - including technology transfer - in least developed countries.
DENMARK
The Danish Government is allocating 1% of Denmark’s GDP, or about US$1.7 billion
annually, for the purpose of development assistance.  A significant share goes to least developed
countries.  Some of the most relevant activities with regard to promoting and encouraging technology
transfer to least developed country Members of the WTO are the following:
(1) The Private Sector Programme:
The overriding goal of Danida's PS Programme is to develop the private sector in selected
developing countries by supporting the set-up of long-term and mutually binding cooperationbetween Danish companies and companies in six of Danida’s 20 programme countries: Egypt,
Ghana, Bangladesh, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
The PS Programme acts as an incentive for Danish companies to think along new lines and to
seek cooperation internationally.  In this way, Danish business and industry will be betterprepared for the challenges inherent in globalisation and companies will gain easier access to
and knowledge of new markets.  In developi ng countries, the PS Programme contributes to
job creation, economic growth and progress within technology and management.
Development is given a boost as entrepreneurs and company management are influenced
directly by meeting Danish partners.
Companies within all fields – production, services and trade – can apply for subsidies under
the terms of the programme.  Danida grants support, for instance, so that Danish engineers
can assist in improving production in developing countries.  Danida provides advisory
services and subsidies in identifying partners, study visits, studies and examinations in the
preparatory phase.  In the implementation phase, subsidies are granted to management
consultancy, start-up, further education and training, posting experts and environmental-protection measures.  In addition, advisory services and information are provided for Danish
companies on technology transfer and the need to adapt and apply new technology to
developing countries.
US$113.6 million has been appropriated to the PS Programme over a five-year period until
2001.  Since the new appropriation came into effect, support has been granted to 214 study
visits and 74 studies.  To date these activities have resulted in 47 new PS partnerships besides
the 18 established while the PS Programme functioned as a pilot project in Ghana, India and
Zimbabwe, between 1993 and 1996.IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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(2) TechChange:
Danida’s TechChange exhibitions act as a forum at which representatives from Danish
companies and representatives from companies in developing countries are given an
opportunity to make contact with each other.  The TechChange exhibitions, at which about 12companies from developing countries participate in each event, are held in conjunction with
Danish trade fairs.  Afterwards, contacts can be nurtured and may end up including various
forms of partnership.  Partnership can be anything from minor services to more
comprehensive cooperation.  As a rule, participants at TechChange exhibitions come from the
six PS countries.
(3) World Association of Industrial and Technological Organisations (WAITRO):
At the multilateral level, Denmark contributes to technology transfer through support to the
WAITRO was established under the auspices of the United Nations in 1970 as an independent
non-profit network of active research institutions and supporting agencies in the field of
technological research and development.  Its primary aim is to strengthen technologicaldevelopment in developing countries.  Denmark has provided financial support to WAITRO
since 1988.  During the period 1988 – 1997, Denmark’s support to WAITRO amounted to
DKK 8.6 million.
(4) Research Cooperation:
Approximately 3.5% of Danish ODA is spent on research addressing specific Third World
problems, including the dissemination of the results to least developed countries.  A special
effort is directed towards the provision of technologies that can improve the technological
base for agricultural production in the least developed countries and regions.  Thus, Denmarkis a major donor to the Consultative Group on Agricultural Research (CGIAR) which has this
as its primary aim.
Among several bilateral activities promoting te chnology transfer, the Danish Government is
running a special programme to enhance the research capacity of developing countries by way
of financing twinning arrangements between research institutions in these countries and in
Denmark.  It is believed that the sources of higher productivity are increasingly dependent onknowledge and information applied to producti on, and that this knowledge is increasingly
science-based.
FINLAND
Technology transfer to developing countries is promoted and encouraged through various
programmes and activities by the government of Finland.  Some of these programmes are planned to
encourage Finnish companies to invest in developing countries, to enter into cooperation with
companies in these countries or to participate by other means in industrial and technological projects.
Some programmes promote technology transfer more or less indirectly.  The latter group ofprogrammes includes, for example, contributions to multilateral assistance funds within the
framework of the United Nations, the World Bank Group and the European Communities.
The main programmes, which have direct relevance to the Article 66.2 of the TRIPS
Agreement, are the Economical, Industrial and Te chnological appropriation (EIT) and the Finnfund
investment schemes.IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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(a) Economical, industrial and technological co-operation projects are being subsidised
with the so-called EIT appropriation.  The objective is to create preconditions for
long-term operations on a commercial basis ( the seed money impact ).  The
appropriation can be granted to Finnish companies, institutions and associations for
projects which involve industrial co-operation and technology transfer to developingcountries.  It can be used to cover the costs of feasibility studies, expert services and
training.
In 1997 the appropriation was granted to 39 projects in 19 countries.  The main
sectors were forest industry, energy sector, environment and health care.  Among the
companies who have taken advantage of the EIT appropriation are many small and
medium sized companies, leading Finnish pulp and paper companies as well asengineering companies.
The EIT appropriation is administered by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Finland.
It can only be applied for by Finnish companies, institutions or associations because
its objective is to promote and encourage technology transfer to developing countries.However, the applicants are, in most cases, expected to be already in close
collaboration with companies or institutions in the recipient country.
(b) Finnfund (Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation Ltd.) is a state-owned investment
finance corporation and it exists to finance enterprises in emerging countries.
Finnfund’s objective is to promote dynamic, developing and innovative private
enterprises thus encouraging technology transfer.
Finnfund supports industrial cooperation a nd technology transfer through minority
shares for Finnish investments, guarantee arrangements and long-term credits forFinnish companies.  In addition to financing, it offers a wide range of fund
management and advisory services.
In 1997 Finnfund had 64 investments project in 28 countries.  Several projects are
going on in particular in Asia and Eastern Europe, but Finnfund had also some
projects in Africa and South America.  The investment commitments by Finnfund
involve a representative sample of Finnish high-tech companies as well as innovativesmall and medium sized companies.
Finnfund’s investment operations and services are administered by the corporation
itself, in Helsinki.  It has also a branch office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
FRANCE
France has been providing sustained assistance to developing countries and particularly to the
poorest countries for a long time.  It is currently very active in this domain in terms of both human
resources and finance.
Human resources
There are 1 800 French development agents providing technical assistance to SMEs.IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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Finance
(a) Official Development Assistance
French Official Development Assistance in 1997 totalled FF37 billion, of which FF22 billion
went to SMEs, making France the most generous of  the G7 countries in this respect, since this
amount represents 0.45% of its 1997 GDP.  Sustainable development and the reduction of
poverty are the top priorities of this assistance.
(b) Specific Institutions
Two specific institutions are devoted to research to assist developing countries: the Institute
of Research for Development ( Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - IRD) and the
Centre for International Cooperation in Agronomical Research for Development ( Centre de
Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement  - CIRAD).
(1) Institute of Research for Development (IRD)
The Institute has a budget of FF1.12 billion, employs 800 researchers, with 55% of its
employees working abroad, particularly in Africa, Latin America and South East
Asia, and has nine major laboratories and seventeen associated ones.  Its research
focuses on nine areas concerning the relationship between man and his environment:climatic variability, water resources, marine and coastal ecosystems, land use and use
of the environment, agricultural and microbial biodiversity, mineral resources and
natural hazards, health, urban issues and social and economic development.
The aim of the Institute is to implement programmes in partnership with developing
countries, international institutions (the UN, the WHO, etc.) and French and
European scientific establishments.  For example, in the health sphere, it collaborates
with the WHO and the UN (UN AIDS programme).
The purpose of these studies is to find appropriate solutions for developing countries
and increase scientific skills in those countries.  The Institute's approach meets three
criteria:
- to adjust to the development priorities of developing countries,- to concentrate funds on a reasonable number of fields of research, and
- to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach wherever necessary.
Certain research sectors receive specific support: agricultural science and soil studies;
health: research on AIDS, malaria, trypanosomiasis, blindness and schistosomiasis.
Partnership contracts with developing countries have an intellectual property clause
stipulating co-ownership of results (about 30 initial patent applications giving rise to
more than 800 foreign patents).IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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(2) Centre for International Cooperation in Agronomical Research for Development
(CIRAD)
The Centre's purpose, both in France and abroad, is to:
(a) contribute to rural development in developing countries through research and
experimental projects, principally in agriculture, forestry and the food industry;
(b) where requested by foreign governments, to assist national research
institutions in these spheres;
(c) to provide scientific information to the scientific, economic and cultural
groups concerned;
(d) to work with French and foreign researchers;(e) to contribute to devising national policy in the areas of its expertise, in
particular through analysing the international scientific situation;
To accomplish this, the Centre can:(a) promote and implement technology research and development programmes;(b) participate, at the request of developing countries, in defining their
agricultural research policy, in providing scientific and technical training and
information for their researchers and in implementing jointly defined research and
development programmes;
(c) implement clauses in cooperation agreements concluded by France on
agricultural research and development in developing countries;
(d) be host to the staff of other institutions and assign its own staff to other
institutions in France and abroad;
(e) make research facilities available to the French scientific community and use
research facilities to which it is granted access;
(f) exploit the results of research, in particular by establishing subsidiaries and
participating in the work of and cooperating with other public or private institutions,whether French, foreign or international.
CIRAD's budget is approximately FF1 bil lion, of which two thirds comes from the
civil research and development budget and one third from own resources (contractual
resources from bilateral financing and international financing, private and other.)  Ithas a staff of 1800 of whom 680 are based outside mainland France in fifty different
countries.  CIRAD works, through its representatives on the spot or through missions,
in more than 150 countries.  It provides training for researchers from developing
countries in Montpellier (about 900 trainees a year) but also locally in the developing
countries with their participation.
CIRAD is a research institution for agricultural development and transfer of
technology to developing countries.  It carries out its development research inIP/C/W/132/Add.4
Page 9
partnership, with methods adapted to agriculture and the food industry and
appropriate to the needs of the country concerned.
CIRAD's partners include national, regional and international institutions whose work
concerns rural areas, private businesses and producer groups and representatives ofall groups working in agricultural development in the developing countries.
CIRAD is committed to making agricultural research an effective instrument of
economic and social development in developing countries in order to raise the
standard of living of their inhabitants by creating new wealth and participating in
technology transfers.
(c) Bilateral agreements for the protection and encouragement of investment
France has concluded such agreements with 32 SMEs throughout the world.  The agreements
provide legal protection for French investors and promote investment.
(d) Project financing by the National Agency for the Exploitation of Research
The projects of French businesses are granted up to 75% financing.  Such projects must relate
to the adaptation of new technologies for the economic development of developing countries
and/or be implemented in cooperation with a developing country partner.  Nearly seventyprojects have been financed so far.
GERMANY
The German development corporation promotes private industry in developing countries in
various ways.  Through this, the framework conditions in the developing countries for technology
transfer and engagement of the German industry in the developing countries will be improved.  The
main target is the strenghtening of the technological competence in the partner countries.
In the framework of the concept of "public- partnership", contributions by the German
industry for development projects in developing countries are explicitely targeted.  The technology
transfer to developing countries forms part of in dividual projects.  In addition, the German industry is
involved in the promotion of technology transfer  through the following measures and incentives:
Financing:
- investment financing through the Deutsche Investitions- und
Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG)¨
- settlement and technology programme through the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau
(KfW)
- participation in funds to finance projects on infrastructures (KfW)
- collective financing (KfW)
Information and consultancy:
- partnership programmes for chambers of commerce, associations and banks- investment advice (DEG)IP/C/W/132/Add.4
Page 10
- preparatory investment studies (DEG)
Education:
- promotion of vocational training in German companies abroad through the Deutsche
Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit  (GTZ)
- Dispatching experts through the Senior Experts Service (SES) and the Center for
International Migration and Development (CIM).
THE NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands allocates 0.8% of its GDP for the purpose of development assistance.  A
significant part of this is used for least developed countries (LDCs).  The Netherlands tries to promote
and encourage a technology transfer to LDCs, as mentioned in Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement,
by some of the following programmes and initiatives.
(a) The Netherlands has 67 investment promotion and protection agreements, almost all
with developing countries and least developed countries.  These agreements facilitate
investment flows, including the transfer of technology.  The Ministry of Economic
Affairs is responsible for these agreements.
(b) The Dutch government provides several programmes to stimulate Dutch exports to
developing countries.  The export transactions, which qualify for these programmes,
consist of capital goods, contracting works or services.  Most transactions include the
necessary transfer of technical know-how (for example the training of local
employees or management contracts for Dutch experts to monitor the productionprocess).
(c) Firstly, there are several programmes to encourage small- and medium sized
enterprises, which develop activities for the first time on the international market,
including emerging markets and developing countries.  More information can be
obtained from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
(d) Then there is the ORET/MILEV programme that is set up to stimulate exports to
LDCs, including the transfer of technology by enterprises.  On the basis of a proposalby a Dutch enterprise, a  grant of 50% of the cost for the purchase of capital goods,
services or works can be provided to the government of an LDC.  The grant is given
under the condition that it is spent in the Netherlands (OECD tied aid).  Besides this,
the transaction should contain technical assistance, training, spare parts, be relevant
for development and have a sustainable effect.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs andthe Ministry of Economic Affairs are in charge.
(e) In some cases, these export transactions also qualify for the Dutch policy for export
credit insurance.  This enables exporting companies to insure the financial risks
which are likely to occur when doing business with least developed countries.  In case
of export of capital goods in, for example, the agricultural sector, the technicalexpertise with respect to the installation, the use and maintenance of the machinery in
question is usually transferred by a Dutch expert.  It is possible to include the costs of
the technical transfer in the export credit insurance.IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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(f) Another export-stimulating facility provided by the Dutch government is a subsidy
for interest-rates of medium-term export credits or for other financial costs.  The
target group for this facility is, among others, Dutch exporters of capital goods and
technical designs and advice.  More information on these programmes can be
obtained from the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
(g) Besides this there is the so-called PUM-programme.  Under this programme
(technical) experts and managers are sent to developing countries and LDCs to advise
companies and non-profit organisations on all kinds of matters.  In charge is the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(h) The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment has set up a
programme which aims to assist a number of countries in the reduction of greenhouse
gases by the transfer of technology.  As was agreed upon in the FrameworkConvention on Climate Change, targets set for one country can be met by assisting
another country in reducing its emissions.  More information can be obtained from
the Ministry.
SPAIN
1. Steps taken by the Spanish Patents and Tradem arks office (Ministry of Industry and Energy)
Subsidies for patenting abroad
The Ministerial Order of 8 April 1994 provides for subsidies to foster activities in the
industrial property field.  90% of these subsidies were used to encourage applications forpatents in other countries.  They covered up to 50% of the costs of Spanish priority patents
granted outside Spain.
- 83 patent subsidies were granted in 1995, totalling Pta 63 734 006.
- 82 patent subsidies were granted in 1996, totalling Pta 41 342 949.
Provision of technological information
The Spanish Patents and Trademarks Office provides the Latin American countries with
technological information free-of-charge via two basic instruments:
- A collection of documents known as CIBEPAT, which includes bibliographical
information and summaries of Spanish patents and utility models since 1986,
European patents in effect in Spain since 1986, applications for PCT patents in Spain
since 1989 and Latin American patents since 1996.
- Official Gazettes of Industrial Property.
The total amount invested for both items is as follows:1995 Pta 14 057 578
1996 Pta 16 937 287
1997 Pta 17 118 732
1998 Pta 17 800 207IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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2. Steps taken by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
- A seminar on the marketing and distribution of perishable agri-food and fishery
products was held in Madrid in 1998.  It was organised jointly by the ACP-EU
Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation and the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.  Part of the seminar was devoted to geographicalindications and their protection.
The following countries took part in the seminar: Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon,
Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Mozambique,
Dominican Republic and Senegal.
The same organisers will be holding another seminar on the same subject from 19 to
30 April, 1999 for the following countries: Angola, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea,
Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria,  Dominican Republic, South Africa and
Zimbabwe.
3. Steps taken by the Ministry of Education and Culture
- Steps taken by rights management organisations:
Spanish rights management organisations need to obtain the relevant authorisation
from the Ministry of Education and Culture for the exercise of the intellectual
property rights that they administer.  The Ministry is also responsible for ensuringthat management organisations comply with the obligations and requirements laid
down in the relevant law (Articles 147 to 159 of the consolidated text of the
Intellectual Property Law).
Spanish rights management organisations promote their activities in third
countries to a varying degree.  They hold courses and facilitate technical means
with the aim of establishing a proper rights management system.  These
activities are carried out in countries where there is a demand for the protected
works or performances of Spanish copyright owners or where such a demand is
likely.  Although at present there is no indication that Spanish rights
management organisations carry out these activities in less-developed countries,
there is no reason why this should not happen.
SWEDEN
Sweden contributes with technology transfer to least-developed countries through its
development assistance.  This assistance is channelled through the Swedish InternationalDevelopment Cooperation Agency (SIDA).  In par ticular its department for Infrastructure and
Economic Co-operation (INEC) deals with technology transfer to developing and to least-
developed countries.
INEC is responsible for SIDA’s development assistance to the infrastructural sector and
it also deals with economic co-operation.  This involves sector and feasibility studies,
investment projects, energy savings and renewable energy projects in the energy field and also
in other areas such as telecommunications, roads, housing, urban development etc.  These
projects often include sector reforms, institution building and the use of local resources in road
construction for example.IP/C/W/132/Add.4
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INEC also provides support to productive sectors in developing countries, such as
industry and trade, capital markets development, contract-financed technical co-operation,
credits and guarantees, international training etc.
With regard to least-developed countries, most of INEC’s activities are geared towards
the transfer of technology and know-how.
Within the area of technical co-operation and training, INEC arranges contract-financed
technical co-operation such as consultancy studies, competence building and institutional
building projects.  The division supports 150-200 projects per year in about 30 countries.  Over
80 international courses are arranged each year with participants from some 100 countries.
Competence development and alliance co-operation within private industry and adjoiningsectors is another important branch.  These projects are normally small and catalytic.
UNITED KINGDOM
The UK has 91 investment promotion and protection agreements (IPPA’s) almost all
with developing countries.  These facilitate investment flows, including the transfer of
technology.
Export credit guarantee schemes are also relevant to the encouragement of technology
transfer.  In the UK these are run by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD), themain function of which is to provide financial and insurance assistance to exporters of UK
capital goods and services.  ECGD also insures UK companies who invest overseas against the
political risks of non-return on their investments.  On average, policies worth over UK £ 3
billion are issued every year to help UK exporters win contracts overseas – some may be worth
over UK £ 100 million but others could be as little as UK £ 25.000.  ECGD’s policies normallycover exports to developing (i.e.  non-OECD) countries.  The main markets tend to be found in
the Far East and South Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, South Africa, and the Former
Soviet Union.
The general liberal climate for inward an d outward investment within the Community
forms a major policy response to encouraging flows of investment including technology
transfer, especially in the absence of restrictions on outward flows.  This acts as an incentive inthe broader sense.
The Technology Partnership Initiative (TPI) is administered by the UK Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI).  The aim of this initiative is to facilitate transfer of environmental
technology on a commercial basis to developing countries by encouraging improvedinformation flows (including among intermediaries, customers and others in developing
countries about UK capabilities) and encouraging partnerships between UK firms and business
and other contacts in developing countries.  It has established a large network of contacts and,
among other things, produces a newsletter which includes best practice and other case studies,
and organises missions and other events.  It has been successful and established a goodreputation, especially in markets like India and Thailand where activity has been concentrated.
The initiative has been in existence for six years and has recently been reviewed by external
consultants and extended with increased funding for a further initial year while consideration is
given to a more significant increase in funding for a longer period.
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