The global competitive business environment has produced innovative international trade challenges between   developing   and   developed regions. Such challenges are affecting corporate strategic directions and changing manufacturing and business policies all over the World. For developing  countries,  like  Pakistan,  these  challenges  mean really extra  efforts  are  required  to survive  in  the  current  global  competitive  environment.

What I feel, in decades to come, the use   of   more   advanced   design   and   manufacturing technologies  will  certainly  emerge  to be  a  key  source  of  competitive  strength. Although, the advanced design and manufacturing technologies’ advantages and capabilities are already known, problems regarding the management practice, from the technology planning to its implementation, represent the main obstacles to the effective and efficient use of such technologies especially in countries like Pakistan. Pakistan is rapidly losing its share in the international market which is obviously a critical issue for the Government.  Although,  technically trained cheap  labour was  a  source  of comparative  advantage  for  Pakistan  at  one  point but this  factor  alone  no  longer  ensures  competitiveness  in  the  technologically stagnant  manufacturing  sector in Pakistan.

In short, TUSDEC feels that Pakistan is facing a problem of acute technological obsolescence.  Therefore, there is a great need for a strategy for the industrial technology upgradation in Pakistan.  For instance, examples of outstanding  industrial  achievements  of  newly  emerging  economies such  as  Taiwan  and  Korea  are  underpinned  by  the  ability  to  master technological  competencies. These countries acquired foreign technology from developed   countries, during the   early   phase   of   technology development,   and   emerged   as   developers   of   their   own   indigenous technological capabilities. However, on the other hand,  the  present  status  of  Pakistan’s  design  and  manufacturing  sector not appears  to  be  encouraging,  with  mostly  obsolete  technology  being  employed  in our industrial sectors.

It is  therefore,  imperative  to  examine the  technology  trajectories  of  both  advanced  and  developing  countries  which would  present  an  overall  scenario as  to  where  Pakistan  lies  within, and ultimately without wasting further time, we need to adopt result oriented business strategies & technology policies which would eventually steer Pakistan to  ‘jump the curve’ and catch up with the developed World.