Transnational Corporations. Vol. 1, no. 1, 1992-. (United Nations, Sales Section, Room DC2–853, New York, NY, 10017, USA or Palais des Nations, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland, 3x/yr., US $35.00).
The book under review is a concise but fairly in-depth study
of the prospects for export diversification from the Less Developed
Countries (henceforth labeled as LDCs) particularly to Developed
Countries (henceforth labeled as OCs). Given the multiple problems faced
by the LOCs in exporting to the OCs - protectionist policies with
regards to manufactured exports, volatility of prices obtained for raw
material exports, etc. - the study analyses the potential for following
an intermediate route. The important issues in the export of semi
-processed and wholly processed raw materials are discussed. 111ese
issues range from the problems and potentials for the location of
processing facilities in the LOCs to the formulation of appropriate
policies to encourage an export of processed goods rather than raw
materials. Such policies will be useful both in solving the balance
of-payments problems of the LDCs and in attaining the goal of the Lima
Declaration and Plan of Action on Industrial Development and
Co-operation, that called for 2S percent of world industrial production
to be located in the LOCs by the year 2000.