The Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) is a regional institution of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). It was established in 1977 with the objective of facilitating technology transfer in the Asia-Pacific region. Its programs are coordinated with national focal points designated by the governments in member countries.

APCTT has two main areas of activities, namely: (a) Development activities to strengthen technological capabilities and technology transfer networking in Asia and the Pacific and (b) Technology transfer services to facilitate business contracts among client enterprises. With its focus on environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) for sustainable development and small- and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), the Centre: (1) brings out periodicals and publications that are read in over 70 countries; (2) updates on a daily basis its databank on international technology and business opportunities; (3) develops networks and partnerships among technology transfer intermediaries; (4) organizes workshops and training programmes on technology transfer services, technology assessment, evaluation and pricing; (5) provides international matchmaking services and organizes business meets and technology missions; (6) develops mechanisms and services to deliver ESTs and SMEs in Asia and the Pacific; and (7) works towards the environmentally sound economic development of the region.

Development Activities

APCTT implements national and regional development projects through the following areas: (1) Technology Information and Transfer for SMEs by organizing training programs on service development, pricing and marketing for technology intermediaries; developing networks; and undertaking studies on technology information and transfer mechanisms; (2) Technology Management by organizing workshops on commercialization of R&D results, technology assessment, evaluation and pricing; (3) Environmental Information and Management by developing EST information, transfer and delivery mechanisms and services for SMEs; and organizing EST transfer business meets; and (4) Women in Development by facilitating the exchange of technology information and technical training for women.

The major results are: (a) successful implementation of several development projects funded by the German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the Governments of Japan and the Netherlands, the Asian Development Bank (AsDB), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); (b) training of over 500 EST transfer network members; (c) organization of more than 100 workshops and training programs in many countries, such as, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao PDR, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Nepal, New Caledonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam; and (d) training of more than 5,000 professionals in the field of technology information, management and transfer; environmental management; and women entrepreneurship development.

Technology Transfer Services

APCTT provides SME-oriented technology transfer services in the following areas: (1) Information on technology opportunities and new technological developments; (2) Search for and matching of prospective technology transfer partners; (3) Support services (market studies, feasibility studies, assistance in contract negotiations); and (4) Finance syndication and marketing assistance for technology transfer projects.

The major results are: (a) more than 270 technology transfer negotiations every month; (b) over 60 technology transfer agreements every month; (c) over 1,000 partnerships with technology transfer intermediaries in 70 countries; and (d) the establishment of the SME-oriented self-sustainable International Network for Transfer of Environmentally Sound Technologies for Asia (INTET ASIA).