84. The representative of Uganda, speaking on behalf of the LDC Group in the WTO, said that, for the LDC Group, the Decision on the implementation of Article 66.2 was very important and should have been implemented soon after the conclusion of the Uruguay Round. However, the lack of practical results showed that the issue had either been neglected or misunderstood. To this end, a new page and a clear mechanism should be established to realize the envisaged transfer of technology to LDCs in a realistic and tangible manner. She said that the annual reports of the developed countries' implementation of Article 66.2 did not provide adequate information to support compliance with their obligations under the Article, in particular, the obligation to provide incentives to enterprises and institutions in their territories for the purpose of promoting and encouraging transfer of technology to LDCs.
85. She requested an analysis and evaluation of these reports to be undertaken in the following areas: first, review of information on technologies available in the public domain in developed countries, with a view to finding a meaningful solution addressing bottlenecks in the area of innovation and technological progress in LDCs; second, compilation of information on the role that public institutions could play in promoting transfer of technology; and finally, information on the types of incentives that would lead to effective transfer of technology to LDCs such as investment guarantees and tax benefits as well as other non-financial measures. She said that the LDCs were convinced that, to ensure the practical success of transfer of technology, there was need for the development of an evaluation tool which could be used to effectively evaluate the annual reports. The LDCs would, therefore, be happy if an evaluation tool kit was developed. She believed that it was also important to have clear definitions of the key terms so as to enable a better understanding of what was meant by technology transfer. She further said that the LDC Group called for strengthening of the monitoring mechanism under the TRIPS Council.
