2007  Latin American Graduate School in Industrial Development and SME Policies  (LAGS)

Overview

DARE, in collaboration with the Institute for Economic Development Policy at the University of Birmingham, and the Universidad de Costa Rica organised the eighth edition of the Latin American Graduate School in Industrial Development and SME Policies, held in San Jose (Universidad de Costa Rica), between 6^th and 10^th August 2007.

The Ministry of Science and Technology of Costa Rica supported the School by financing the participation of lecturers from the network of universities that are traditionally associated to the School.

Experts

Experts represented the Universities of Birmingham (UK), Deusto (Spain), UCR (Costa Rica), Ohio (U.S.), Kansas (U.S.); Veracruzana (Mexico), and the Inter-American Development Bank. Among others, the following experts participated in the School:

· Elizabeth Asiedu PhD, University of Kansas, U.S.

· Ricardo Aguado PhD, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain

· Claudio Gonzalez PhD, University o f Ohio, U.S.

· Pablo Angelelli MSc, Inter-American Development Bank, Washington;

· Isabel Cristina Araya MSc., University of Costa Rica and Ministry of Economy of Costa   Rica

· Carlos Palma MSc., University of Costa Rica

· Francisco Fernandez MSc., Former Director of Sub-secretary for SMEs, Ministry of Economy, Mexico, and University Veracruzana

· Juan Rafael Vargas PhD, University of Costa Rica

· M. Davide Parrilli PhD, School Coordinator, University of Birmingham

School Content

Experts lectured on issues of industrial development policy with special reference to the promotion of innovation within SME-based economies; topics included:

· Small and medium enterprise development

· Clusters and industrial districts

· Entrepreneurship and hi-tech enterprises

· Business incubators and science and technology parks

· Foreign direct investment

· Regional innovation policies

The Vice-Minister of Economy of Costa Rica, Mr. Woodbridge, opened the School. Participants included public officers from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Economy and from science and technology agencies, as well as representatives from universities and business associations and representatives of other Central American countries.

For further information, please contact the LAGS coordinator, Dr M. Davide Parrilli on m.d.parrilli@bham.ac.uk