Developing the Electronics Industry: A World Bank Symposium

A vital electronics industry can boost a country's economic growth, provide jobs for skilled workers, and speed development in other sectors.

This report shows developing economies how to build a modern and competitive electronics industry. It gives step-by-step advice on the market conditions, enterprise strategies, and government policies that can create a successful electronics sector.

The editors suggest guidelines to help countries identify competitive segments of industry. They explain why the best prospects lie in products for industry, computers, and telecommunications.
Their advice points out which products countries should focus on initially. It recommends ways to expand, once basic production and skills are established. The role government must play in developing the physical infrastructure and a skilled work force is examined.

Major trends in the global electronics industry are reviewed in detail. The collection focuses on semiconductors, computers, consumer electronics, and telecommunications.
It examines how electronics developed in the most advanced industrial the European Community, Japan, and the United States. Electronics industries in selected developing economies and newly industrialized economies are also evaluated.

Decisionmakers will learn how Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan built major electronics industries. The report explores the crucial roles played by foreign investment and technological development. It describes key government interventions that prepared private enterprises--and labor markets--for market competition.
Also examined are the less successful experiences of Brazil andIndia. The book points out government interventions and industry practices that hampered efficiency and growth. It gives practical advice on improving public policies and boosting industry performance.