Publication Date
7-2-2009
Description
The 2008 Human Development Report (HDR) makes a drastic but a significant departure from the previous analysis in the past reports by examining the relationship between Technology and Poverty reduction. The two channels through which Technology can affect poverty reduction are indirect, i.e. by accelerating growth impulses via productivity gains and direct, i.e. by using technology in better health care, education, water supply, agriculture and good governance. As much has been written about the technology-growth channel the Report rightly focuses on the direct channel. Within South Asia, it must be conceded that India is an exception as it has become a global leader in software exports, Business process outsourcing, IT enabled services and more recently by becoming centre for research and development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Pharmaceutical and equity capital. But its use of ICT for poverty reduction in the country through direct channel has not kept pace with its exports of ICT services to the rest of the world. Pakistan is also expanding its exports of these services albeit at a much modest scale but the domestic economy has not much benefited either from e-commerce or e-governance.
Recommended Citation
Husain, I. (2009). Technology and Poverty Reduction in South Asia. Retrieved from https://ir.iba.edu.pk/faculty-research-talks-speeches/54
Notes
Key note address delivered at the launching ceremony of Human Development Report in South Asia 2008 organized by Mahbubul Haq Centre for Human Development at Islamabad on July 2, 2009