Technology transfer in developing nations

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has been able to convert the nat ural gas associated with crude oil production into value-added chemicals th at form the raw materials for an extensive range of industrial and consumer products. The development of these products depends upon SABIC's selecting the most effective technologies available to profitably adapt the Kingdom' s industrial potential to the realities of the world market. This article r eviews the methodology and criteria used by SABIC to evaluate these technol ogies. Hopefully, the experience that SABIC has gained over the last 23 yea rs will benefit other developing nations.