Use of a Capital Saving Technology Approach in AID's (Agency for International Development) Development Assistance Program

摘要

During the past decade, high unemployment and short supplies of capital in developing countries created a need for labor intensive development methods and capital saving tools. Recognizing this need, the Congress enacted section 107 of the International Development and Food Assistance Act of 1975 which authorized the Agency for International Development (AID) to support a new and expanded private effort to develop and disseminate capital saving technologies appropriate for developing countries. AID acted to implement the congressional directive in the late 1970s but has not maintained its earlier emphasis on promoting this technology as one approach to development. GAO believes that, since AID continues to endorse capital saving technology as one approach to development, it could take a number of actions at little cost which would re-emphasize the role of capital saving technology in developing countries and facilitate application of the concept by Agency staff.