Strategies for high-technology equipment manufacturing in developing countries

The authors present a methodology to establish local manufacturing in a developing country with a modest telecommunications industry. The main focus of the article is on the analysis of high-technology equipment that can be applied to a large variety of computing, communications, and control systems. They conclude that with strategic planning the import content of electronic equipment can be reduced if the country in question shows potential for local manufacturing. This strategic planning requires commitments with local industry for technical assistance and three to five year purchasing programmes. For countries with a limited industrial background a manufacturing effort could be initiated through the establishment of assembly factories which in general make use of low local labour cost. A requirement for the transfer of technology to local industry must be established with these factories.