联合国-2018年最不发达国家报告（英文版）-2018.10-190页-21mb

Summary of the Least Developed Countries Report 2018

Core Content

The Least Developed Countries Report 2018 focuses on the role of entrepreneurship in driving structural transformation and achieving sustainable development. It emphasizes that traditional business approaches are insufficient and that a more strategic and dynamic approach to entrepreneurship is needed, especially for LDCs to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The report outlines the classification of LDCs, which are determined by a combination of geographical and structural criteria, including per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability. It also discusses the graduation process from LDC status, highlighting that LDCs must meet specific thresholds in these areas to be considered for graduation, with a focus on economic performance and sustainable development.

Main Viewpoints

• Entrepreneurship as a driver of structural transformation:

  • Entrepreneurship is crucial for economic development and structural transformation.
  • Transformational entrepreneurship leads to innovation, employment, and fiscal sustainability.
  • It fosters new products, business models, and dignified employment.

• Challenges in LDCs:

  • Underdevelopment and unfavorable trade participation hinder the emergence of dynamic entrepreneurs.
  • Informal sector dominance and lack of formal business growth are key issues.
  • Gender gaps, lack of access to finance, and limited digital infrastructure further constrain entrepreneurship.

• Policy implications:

  • Entrepreneurship policy should be strategic, long-term, and coordinated.
  • It should not be a substitute for addressing unemployment and structural inequalities.
  • Developmental State approaches are recommended to foster dynamic and transformational entrepreneurship.

• Graduation and future prospects:

  • Five countries have graduated from LDC status since 2011 (Samoa, Equatorial Guinea, Cabo Verde, Maldives, and Bhutan).
  • Vanuatu and Angola are set to graduate in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
  • Kiribati and Tuvalu are under consideration for graduation, but their status is deferred.
  • Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Lao PDR are pre-eligible for graduation, with potential full eligibility in 2021.
  • The graduation ratio in 2018 was 29%, which is below the 2011 Istanbul vision of achieving 50% graduation by 2020.

Key Information

• LDCs are 47 countries currently designated by the United Nations.

• Classification criteria:

  • Per capita income: $1,025 (addition threshold) and $1,230 (graduation threshold).
  • Human assets: Composite index including nutrition, child mortality, maternal mortality, school enrollment, and literacy.
  • Economic vulnerability: Composite index including natural shocks, trade shocks, and other indicators.

• Graduation process:

  • Requires meeting graduation thresholds in at least two of the three criteria in two consecutive reviews.
  • A grace period (usually three years) is granted before graduation becomes effective.
  • Income-only graduation rule allows countries to graduate if their per capita income reaches at least double the graduation threshold.

• Policy recommendations:

  • A structural transformation-centred approach to entrepreneurship is needed.
  • Integration into global value chains (GVCs) is emphasized as a path for economic growth.
  • Support for SMEs, women entrepreneurs, and innovation is crucial.
  • Smart policies across various sectors are required to nurture high-impact entrepreneurship.

Key Sectors and Issues

• Informal sector: Dominates employment and is a major challenge for structural transformation.
• Rural enterprises: Play a significant role in economic development but face unique constraints.
• Firm heterogeneity: The diversity of firm sizes and performance affects the overall economic landscape.
• Constraints to entrepreneurship:
  • Access to finance
  • Regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles
  • Lack of digital infrastructure
  • Gender inequality
  • High unemployment rates

Policy Frameworks and Initiatives

• Entrepreneurship policies should be integrated into broader economic strategies.
• Public-private partnerships are encouraged for ICT development and business growth.
• UNCTAD eTrade for All initiative supports digital transformation and entrepreneurship.
• Case studies highlight successful entrepreneurship policies in Finland, Republic of Korea, Chile, India, Bangladesh, Uganda, Rwanda, and Myanmar.

Conclusion

The report underscores the need for a comprehensive and strategic approach to entrepreneurship in LDCs to drive structural transformation and sustainable development. It calls for policy coherence, long-term planning, and collaboration between governments and the private sector to support dynamic and transformational entrepreneurship.