Rich and poor countries
The R&D in the rich western countries for cheaper applications of products used in the third world countries is not the current culture.
According to a news item, two big international medicine manufacturing companies have now jointly announced to step up plans for marketing cheaper medicines for the DCs and LDCs through joint R&D on non-profit basis.
In the other sectors, such a renewable energy, the retail prices are too high for the rural users; but the market is vast. Initially, the international and the donor agencies could help in setting up the users and marketing bases, but the recurring costs have to be considered; including regular maintenance schedules. For cheaper assembly and manufacture, the EPZs in the developing countries could be used for outsourcing.
Bangladesh has one the highest densities of population in the world (nearing 1,000 persons per sq km); with cheap labour and well-developed EPZs. There are huge markets in Asia, Africa, and South American regions.
The global warming warnings are becoming more and more menacing; hence renewable energy sources have a vital contribution in raising the purchasing power of the middle class and the general masses. Large volume of sales and quick profits brought out the downfall of the US$ (coupled with credit transactions). Capitalism and Materialism look alluring in the short run; but the economy of life practised by four billion people weak in economic base is a burden on the rich countries and on the international organisations (although the NGOs are doing some good work in helping improved the local infrastructures).
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