The second strategy under the Strategic Plan 2023-27 is to strengthen regional and national legal and policy frameworks for the adoption and scaling up of technologies, especially new and emerging technologies. Even when policy frameworks are conducive to emerging technologies, high capital and operational costs often deter member States from adopting them. These challenges highlight two key areas for APCTT’s intervention: supporting the strengthening of regional and national policies and facilitating access to financing and technical support mechanisms. The subsequent sections elaborate on these pathways.
Strengthening National Technology Policies for Innovation and Adoption of Priority Technologies
To advance Strategy 2, APCTT will collaborate with relevant ESCAP Substantive Divisions, such as TIID, EED, and ED, to support policy reviews and assessments that ease the adoption of innovative technologies. These reviews may be complemented by assistance in developing national roadmaps and action plans for technology adoption and integration. Additionally, APCTT will conduct comparative analyses of policy frameworks across member States to offer actionable insights for newer members seeking to develop or refine their policies. Recognizing the potential need for capacity development among policymakers and practitioners, APCTT will provide targeted training and support upon request.
Linking National Stakeholders to Financing and Technology Support Mechanisms
To address the financial barriers to adopting emerging technologies, APCTT will facilitate connections between interested governments, global and regional financial institutions, technical organizations, and the private sector. During the Strategic Plan period, APCTT aims to provide platforms and establish linkages to financing mechanisms that support technology transfer in member States. Furthermore, APCTT will build technical support systems through partnerships with specialized institutions, offering tailored assistance to member States in adopting climate technologies. By linking nations with these technical support networks, APCTT will ensure that member States have access to the necessary resources and expertise to adopt and scale priority technologies effectively.
Source: APCTT Strategic Plan 2023-27
Enabling IP policies are key drivers of innovation, technology transfer and enterprise development. It is equally important to protect the IP of inclusive and grassroots innovations which offer innovative solutions for local problems. Without appropriate awareness and management skills, SMEs may be unaware of the value or benefits of their IP, or may expose themselves to market risks. APCTT undertakes a series of capacity building initiatives in the Asia-Pacific to enhance awareness and understanding on Intellectual Property Management.
To support the technology transfer and commercialization efforts of R&D institutions, startups and SMEs, it is essential to strengthen their capacity to successfully handle the technology transfer process in a holistic manner and develop skills ranging from business case preparation, technology sourcing, technology assessment, technology selection, technology pricing, negotiation, contract finalization, implementation and impact assessment. APCTT delivers specific regional and national capacity building activities focusing on key areas of technology transfer and commercialization as per the expressed interest of member countries.
APCTT puts special focus on countries with special needs to strengthen their capability in technology transfer policymaking, skill development and technology deployment. Recent examples are Bhutan and Myanmar.
- The Centre provided policy advice to Bhutan and assisted in developing a blueprint to design a technology requests database for catering the needs cottage and small industries. The Centre’s consistent efforts and engagements with the Royal Government of Bhutan resulted in the inclusion of developing a technology database for CSIs in the Cottage and Small Industry Policy of Bhutan (i.e. section 6.5.2) published in July 2019 launched during Bhutan Economic forum for Innovative Transformation 2019.
- In Myanmar, APCTT implemented a project (2015-2016) to support integrated socioeconomic development in the Myanmar dry zone in the context of inclusive and sustainable development with special emphasis on livelihoods improvement and food security. Under this project, APCTT facilitated transfer of 59 elite mung bean (Green gram) lines with pest and disease resistance were transferred to the Department of Agricultural Research (DAR), Myanmar through its knowledge partner, World Vegetable Centre (AVRDC).
Online Technology Transfer Support Mechanisms: Databases
- The Database serves as an online platform for information exchange on the availability and sourcing of technologies for small and medium sized enterprises in countries in the Asia Pacific region.
- The Database provides information on the technologies available for transfer (technology offers), technologies needed (technology requests) as well as the opportunities for business cooperation (Joint venture and Partnerships).
- The use of Technology4SME database is free of cost. (provide links to registration)
Global Technology Databases
APCTT has compiled a list of global as well as country-wise technology databases that deal with the technology transfer related services for SMEs and entrepreneurs.
- If a particular technology search has been made using APCTT's Technology4SME database and if the search did not yield desired results, the users could use this section to extend their search to other databases listed in this section.
- The technology databases could be readily accessed through this service of APCTT.
Renewable Energy Technology Bank (RET-Bank)
The primary objective of the Renewable Energy Cooperation-Network for the Asia Pacific (RECAP) established by APCTT is to facilitate technology transfer cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific region in the area of renewable energy. Towards this end, APCTT has developed a “Renewable Energy Technology Bank (RET-Bank)” of tested and proven renewable energy technologies (RETs) initially in the areas of solar, biomass, wind, mini-hydro power and geo-thermal energy. APCTT has developed this Renewable Energy Technology Bank as on-line technology database freely available for public access through its RECAP website.
Technology Transfer Facilitation Services
APCTT offers technology transfer facilitation services to technology providers and seekers, especially by partnering with its national focal points and technology transfer intermediary networks. Some important technology transfer facilitation services of APCTT include:
- Providing information on technology transfer, joint-venture, business/research partnerships and opportunities.
- Organizing business-to-business meets, technology exhibitions and technology transfer related conferences and technology dissemination workshops in partnership with APCTT focal points in the member countries.
- Providing support services to help techno-entrepreneurs interact with technology transfer intermediaries, source technology globally, and also to explore venture capital financing.