Targeted innovation initiatives are a key element of development strategies for LDCs. Currently, such initiatives are, if existing, rarely aligned with or contribute to industrial promotion, job creation, and further economic development in these countries. This research aims at proposing principles of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy guidelines and strategies to LDCs through the review and diagnosis of their innovation systems in order to help them develop customized STI initiatives. This research would first be implemented in Lao PDR, and then replicated in stages across other priority countries in Southeast and South Asia and beyond. The case study of Lao PDR defines the appropriate framework conditions, provides contextualization of the global and domestic conditions, and diagnoses its entirety. From these, a potential path and tentative programs are prescribed.
｜CONTENTS｜ Abstract 1 Chapter I. Concept and Approach 7 1. Development challenge 7 1.1. Background 7 1.2. Objectives 8 2. STEPI Approach 8 2.1. Holistic diagnosis and prescription 8 2.2. Partnership Strategies 10 2.3. Statistics & Data 12 3. Expected Results 12 Chapter II. Case Study: Lao P.D.R. 14 1. Approaches 14 1.1. Field Survey in Lao P.D.R. 15 1.2. Main Contents 16 2. Framework Conditions 17 2.1. History & Geography 17 2.2. Politics & Economics 19 2.3. Economy by Sectors, HRD and Business Environment 25 2.4. Industrial Structure Transition 28 2.5. Population and Education 35 3. Contextualization of Global and Domestic Conditions 38 3.1. Global Challenges 38 3.2. Domestic Constraints 41 4. Diagnosis of Innovation System 45 4.1. Diagnosis of Major Actors 46 4.2. Analysis of the Innovation System 55 5. Potential Path and Tentative Programs 57 5.1. Korean Case and Implications 57 5.2. Review of the National S&T Policy Plan of 2003 61 5.3. Target Goals and Path 63 5.4. Tentative Programs of STI Strategies for Lao PDR 64 5.5. Jobs to be done 67 References 69
