WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  IP/C/W/480/Add.2 
13 October 2006 
 
 (06-4938) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects 
of Intellectual Property Rights Original:  English 
 
 
 
IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT: 
INFORMATION FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRY MEMBERS 
 
AUSTRALIA 
 
Addendum  
   The following communication, dated 2 Octobe r 2006, from the Delegation of Australia is 
being circulated pursuant to paragraph 1 of the Decision on Implementation of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement.  
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 The following report is submitted by Australia  in accordance with paragraph 1 of the 
Decision of the Council for TRIPS of 19 February  2003 on "Implementation of Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement" (IP/C/28) which provides that  developed country Members submit reports 
annually on actions taken or planned in purs uance of their commitments under Article 66.2. 
I. TYPE OF INCENTIVES 
1. Technology transfer is interpreted in this re port broadly to include training, education and 
know-how.  Australia's transfer of technology to  least-developed countries (LDCs) occurs through 
export-related activity as a normal process of market  forces, through facilitating a strong intellectual 
property environment in LDCs and through incentives wh ich are a part of the Government's bilateral 
and regional development assistance programme. 
2. At the same time, the Australian Government has in place programmes designed to promote 
innovation and competitiveness in the Australian econom y which in turn can contribute to increased 
transfers of technology in export markets including LDCs.  For example, technology transfer may occur through exports and outward or direct investme nt by Australian firms in other countries.  This 
transfer of technology may occur in joint vent ures between Australian firms and overseas companies 
or governments. 
3. Australia's development assistance programme to LDCs includes many activities that include 
a large technology transfer component delivered via the provision of monetary incentives to Australian business enterprises, educational institutions  and other organizations .  Australia considers 
that this provision of monetary incentives not only qualifies as an incentive to encourage and promote 
technology transfers to LDCs for the purposes of Article  66.2, but is effective in meeting the Article's 
objectives. IP/C/W/480/Add.2 
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  4. In addition to direct monetary incentives, Australia recognizes that technology transfer, 
economic growth and poverty reduction are best fo stered in an efficient, open and market-based 
economy.  Fundamental to this framework is  good governance.  Australia provides extensive 
governance assistance to LDCs (the preliminary figure for 2005-06 is $A272.5 million.  $A1=US$0.76) which includes improving economic and financial management, strengthening the rule 
of law and justice, increasing public sector e ffectiveness and developing civil society and human 
rights. 
II. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MAKING THE INCENTIVES AVAILABLE 
5. This report includes information on incentives for technology transfer provided by a number 
of Australian Government agencies including the Australian Government's development assistance 
agency "AusAID" and IP Australia (responsible for patents, designs, trademarks and plant breeders' 
rights). 
III. ELIGIBLE ENTERPRISES AND INSTITUTIONS PROVIDING INCENTIVES 
6. The vast majority of Australian development assistance activities are implemented by 
organizations and individuals selected through a competitive tendering process.  Australian aid to 
LDCs has been untied since 2001, allowing non-Aust ralian organizations to bid for contracts to 
supply goods and services to the aid programme.   
IV. APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY 
7. For sustainable development, it is critical that t echnology transfer be appropriate to the needs 
of the particular country.  In order to ensure this, Australia jointly develops country strategies with all 
major partner countries to form the basis of deve lopment assistance.  The country strategies are 
informed by a country-specific analysis of poverty and the most effective contributions Australia can 
make to reduce it.  Australia is involved in workin g partnerships with a ra nge of international and 
community partners to ensure harmonization of resources and appropriately targeted assistance. 
V. MONITORING AND EVALUATION 
8. Monitoring and measuring the effectiveness and results of development assistance are key 
concerns for the Australian aid programme.  A range of mechanisms and experts are continually used 
to ensure effectiveness of mone tary incentives including the Audit Committee, High Level Advisory 
Groups, the Aid Advisory Council, the Committee fo r Development Co-operation, peer reviews and 
corporate reviews.  To ensure that Australia is  at the forefront of global efforts to improve 
development effectiveness, the Office of Deve lopment Effectiveness was established in AusAID 
in 2006. 
9. Through reviews and evaluations, Australia consid ers that the education of LDC nationals at 
Australian universities and their training in the u se and management of technological equipment 
comprise two of the most effective means of transferring technology and know-how to which Australia has access.  Consequently, a significant portion of AusAID's assistance is directed at 
providing education and training.  A detailed account of illustrative AusAID activities and funding is 
provided below, including in the table "Australia 's aid programme:  Assistance to least-developed 
countries with a major technological transfer component 2005-2006."  IP/C/W/480/Add.2 
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  VI. DETAILS OF INCENTIVES FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO LDCS 
A. AUSAID:   BILATERAL PROGRAMMES  
10. Australia's aid programme provided appr oximately $A359.7 million in development 
assistance to LDCs in 2005-06.  Many of these activ ities carry a technology transfer or investment 
incentive component.  Examples of activities for whic h technology transfer/investment incentive is a 
major component or the primary aim have been included below. 
1. Lao PDR and Cambodia – Hydrometeorological Network (Phase I and II) 
11. This project aims to improve the hydrometeo rological knowledge and infrastructure of the 
Mekong River Commission (MRC), at a total cost of $A1.8 million (Phase I 1998-2001) and $A4.7 million (Phase II 2001-2006).  Activities include: 
• upgrading of 14 key electronic data collecti on stations linked by Australian HYDSYS 
software, accessible from a central monitoring position; 
 
• a training programme for MRC staff in Australia and in situ ;   
 
• support to the MRC to ensure that measurable data is obtained,  including direct internet 
links with Australian field hydrologists;  and 
 
• procurement of hydrometeorological eq uipment and other related hardware. 
 
12. This project is making a significant contributi on to the water resource management of the 
Mekong Basin, as well as being a showcase for Australian technology. 
2. Samoa – Immigration Project 
 13. Australia provided $A5.1 million (2002-2007) to strengthen the Samoan Immigration 
Division.  The project included: 
• acquisition and implementation of a new automated Passport Management System; 
• acquisition and implementation of the new Border Management System (BMS).  The BMS 
capability is a major investment in strengtheni ng Samoa's borders for the security of the 
people of Samoa;   
• introduction of an automated permit processing system linking the Labour Ministry by 
wireless to the immigration network for the co mplementary approval of Work Permits;  and 
• introduction of new IT systems and software. 
 
3. Solomon Islands - ICT Capacity Development Project 
14. This project aims to assist the Solomon Isla nds Government (SIG) to develop and resource a 
manageable IT system for its departments and the formation of an ICT support unit.  The ICT support 
unit will provide a mechanism for the SIG to implem ent a management system, and to investigate the 
possibility of a wide area network between the de partments.  Currently in the design development 
phase, the project will be conducted over three years at an estimated cost of $A4.2m, commencing 
in 2006.  IP/C/W/480/Add.2 
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  4. Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporatio n (SIBC) Capacity Building Project 
15. This project has included an IT upgrade, a nd an antennae transmitter upgrade to the existing 
systems, as well as capacity building in their use a nd maintenance.  The IT upgrade simplified and 
updated the computer-operating environment for th e SIBC and provided a secure standard operating 
environment over a local area network.  The ante nnae transmitter upgrade has allowed for the SIBC 
signal to be heard throughout the Solomon Islands , contributing to the passing of messages about 
RAMSI assistance, news in general to the islands, and weather alerts during the cyclone season.  The 
project has delivered an estimated $A1 million in assistance to date.  Technical assistance will support 
the SIBC's coverage of the March 2006 election.  
B. A
USAID:  PACIFIC REGIONAL PROGRAMS  
1. Pacific Regional Information System (PRISM) 
16. As part of the ongoing support provided by the Pacific Regional Governance Section to 
statistical policy, funding has b een approved for the Pacific Regional Information System (PRISM), 
implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).  Expenditure approvals of up to $A650,000 over three years will support the establis hment of a functioning Internet-based regional 
information system known as PRISM, being establis hed and maintained by the regions National 
Statistics Offices (NSOs).  The NSOs will compile th e necessary data to assist their governments with 
Millennium Development Goals monitoring and eval uation.  PRISM websites will enable NSOs to 
save as open-access data will mean fewer individu al requests for statistics either from donors and 
other actors.  Once the PRISM national websites are fully operational, SPC intends to produce a 
regional database for international comparison and analysis. 
2. Enhanced Climate Predictions in  Pacific Island Countries (PICs) 
17. The objective of this project is to strengthen PI Cs capacity in climate prediction.  It aims to 
expand and enhance the prudent use of climate pred ictions by PICs in both National Meteorological 
Services (NMSs) and Client planning departments.  PIC economic and social activities rely heavily on 
the natural environment.  Effective weather services will therefore be a great benefit to PIC 
economies.  Australian inputs will be technical in cluding tailored climate prediction software and 
training its use.  PICs will provide counterpart personnel.  This $A2 million project concludes in 
December 2006. 
C. A
USAID:  REGIONAL PROGRAMMES  
18. In addition to bilateral assistance, the Aust ralian aid programme also provides LDCs with 
transfers of technology and inv estment incentives through various regional programmes.  In most 
cases, it is difficult to separate expenditure specifi cally to LDCs through these programmes;  however, 
relevant LDCs do benefit. 
1. Virtual Colombo Plan 2001-06 
19. The joint Australian and World Bank technology tr ansfer initiative, the Virtual Colombo Plan 
(VCP), is improving education and access to kn owledge through the use of Information and 
Communications Technology (ICT).  Australia will provide $A200 million (2001-06) with an 
estimated $A40 million to LDCs.  Key outputs include: 
• contributing to the Development Gateway Foundati on - an Internet site for comprehensive 
and quality information about development issu es, including Australian specialist research 
and knowledge;  IP/C/W/480/Add.2 
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  • contributing to the World Bank's Global Deve lopment Learning Network (GDLN)  providing 
multimedia, Internet and videoconferencing facilities to provide high-quality specialist 
learning programmes including the establishment of GDLN in Cambodia and Lao PDR; 
• training government officials in the Asia-Pac ific region in curriculum development and 
central banking through the GDLN system; 
• assisting the University of the South Pacific deliver distance education by strengthening 
regional centres, online library services and personnel; 
• supporting the CSIRO Arsenic Mitigation Web s ite on health management issues associated 
with arsenic poisoning from contaminated wells  in Bangladesh and other countries in the 
South Asia region;  and 
• strengthening the African Virtual University. 
 
2. Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Public Sector Linkages Program (APEC PSLP) 
20. Australia has provided $A29 million thr ough APEC PSLP (formerly the APEC Support 
Program) since it commenced in 1995.  Expenditure in 2005-06 was $A3.4 million.  The objective of 
APEC PSLP is to support small, high-impact reque sts from Australian Government departments and 
statutory authorities for assistance aimed at supportin g developing member economy participation in 
APEC.  The program also aims to fac ilitate and strengthen links between other 
Australian Government bodies and developing economi es in the APEC region.  Priority funding under 
this programme is given to activities that origin ate from the activities of APEC Working Groups or 
other APEC entities and which directly assist APEC developing members to implement trade and 
investment liberalization and facilitation. 
3. ASEAN-Australian Economic Development Co-operation Program and ASEAN-
Australian Development Cooperation Program 
21. The ASEAN - Australian Economic Co-operati on Program (AAECP) was established in 1974 
to promote cooperation between Australia and ASEAN countries.  Its successor is the ASEAN-
Australian Development Cooperati on Program (AADCP) with a budget of $A45 million (2000-08).  
Activities within the program include: 
• customs capacity building;   
• legal infrastructure for e-commerce; 
• assistance in private sector competitiveness and SME development;   
• quality assurance systems for fruit, vege tables, fish and fishery products; 
• animal and plant health manage ment and quarantine;  and  
• risk assessment in support of food safety measures. 
 D. A
USAID:  OTHER PROGRAMMES  
1. Australian Development Scholarships 
22. Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) are awar ds for long-term in-Australia education.  
The programme provides appropriate and cost-effect ive training to developing country nationals to 
equip them with qualifications and skills that w ill assist development in their home country.  In 
2005-06 Australia provided approxima tely $A31.3 million to recipients from the following LDCs:  IP/C/W/480/Add.2 
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  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kiri bati, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Malawi, Maldives, 
Mozambique, Nepal, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tan zania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and 
Zambia. 
2. ACIAR 
23. Through the Australian Centre for Internationa l Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Australia 
provided approximately $A4.5 million (2005-06) to LDCs on technical pest, disease and rural 
development issues including: 
• virus indexing and DNA fingerprinting in Samoa; 
• risk assessment of zoonotic infections in livestock in Kiribati and Vanuatu; 
• managing migratory tuna in Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu; 
• rodent management and research in Cambodia;  and 
• development of emerging farmer crop-livestock systems in South Africa. 
 E. IP
 AUSTRALIA ACTIVITIES  
24. Australia assists in the process of technology transfer by facilitating the development of 
strong intellectual property regimes in countries in the Asia and Pacific Region.  The principal mechanism for facilitating this development is through the WIPO-Australia Joint Working Group on 
Intellectual Property Technical Assistance in the Asia and Pacific Region.  Under this Working 
Group, Australia assists in the coordination, planni ng and implementation of IP technical cooperation 
projects in the region. 
25. An example of the activities under this Join t Working Group is the development of the 
intellectual property systems for the Pacific Isla nds Forum Countries (FICs).  This work focuses on 
the development of legislative systems and administrative capacity and the provision of training for the 14 FIC member countries including the following LDCs:  Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. 
26. As well, AusAID funding has enabled IP Aust ralia to assist the Kingdom of Nepal further 
develop its IP systems and provided training to assist  Nepal to comply with the TRIPS Agreement.  
The project included trademark education and examination training, public outreach training and development of a website for the Nepal IP Office. 
  IP/C/W/480/Add.2 
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  ANNEX 
 
AUSTRALIA'S AID PROGRAMME:  ASSISTANCE TO LEAST-DEVELOPED 
COUNTRIES WITH A MAJOR TECHNOLOGICAL  
TRANSFER COMPONENT 2005-2006 
 
Australia's assistance to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for 2005-06 
(Preliminary figures for AusAID's b ilateral and regional programmes only) 
 
Least Developed Country $A 
  
Afghanistan 3,905,845 
Asia Economic and Transboundary 36,899,331 
Bangladesh 19,548,358 
Bhutan 1,048,240 
Burma (Myanmar) 3,363,847 
Cambodia 23,081,977 
East Timor 26,716,912 
Kiribati 7,930,636 
Lao PDR 13,364,838 
Maldives 1,529,374 
Nepal 3,797,318 
Pacific Islands Unallocated 34,626,276 
Pacific Regional Governance 38,494,892 
Regional South Asia 10,227,925 
Regional and Other Africa 34,338,894 
Samoa 12,578,665 
Solomon Islands 98,151,426 
Tuvalu 6,227,765 
Vanuatu 21,840,225 
  Total 359,699,092 
  Source:  AusAID statistical database  
 
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