The low level of innovation in the Caribbean is a constraint to the region’s economic growth, and technological change represents a key factor in increasing productivity. One alternative available to address this key constraint is technological extension policies. Technological extension policies can help increase productivity and competitiveness by facilitating the adoption of technology by enterprises, particularly SMEs.
Technology extension policies help companies not to develop new technologies but rather to diffuse and encourage the adoption of already existing technology, thus contributing to increase the capacity of targeted firms to develop new products or improve their processes. Technology extension services usually include an assessment of the firm’s operation, followed by an improvement plan and assistance in its implementation.
These services can include benchmarking companies in their industries at national and international levels, providing information on opportunities for improvement by incorporating existing technologies, best practices, technical assistance and consulting human resource development, strategic management, etc. Implementing these types of policies requires supporting institutions with leadership and coordination skills, and with the ability to design instruments designed according to business needs, human capital for the execution of projects and capabilities to deliver technology services.
Click the links below for presentations from Day 1:
- Technology Extension Concepts and Models (presentation by Jan Youtie)
- Technological Extension Services (TES) in the Caribbean (presentation by Roberto De Groote)
For more information, read the Full Analysis (by Roberto De Groote).
- Exploring Firm-Level Innovation and Productivity in Developing Countries – The Perspective of Caribbean Small States
- The New Imperative of Innovation
Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF), in collaboration with JAMPRO, hosted the second day of the Regional Policy Dialogue entitled, “A Digital Agenda for Enterprises in the Caribbean, held at the Jamaica Pegasus on August 24, 2017, from 9am to 12 noon.
This event involved dialogue on promoting a digital economy to promote private sector development in the Caribbean and focused on the ways that the digital revolution can enhance regional economic growth.
Click the links below for presentations from Day 2:
- Digital Transformation of Firms in LAC – The Role of Public Policy (presentation by Claudia Suaznabar)
- The Orange Economy in Latin American & Caribbean Countries – Public Policies for a Creative Region (presentation by Matteo Grazzi)
- Blockchain in the Caribbean Music Industry – Helping Caribbean Musicians Monetize their Talent (presentation by Ignacio De Leon IFD/CTI)
- Alternative Finance in the Americas (presentation by Omar Villacorta)