The link between science and technology and industrial and economic advancement is unquestionable as history has shown this to be true in all the advanced and emerging economies across the world. Therefore, the increasing application of science and technology is an imperative if underdeveloped countries are to make that big industrial and economic leap. In this regard, the experiences of countries such as China, India and Brazil are most pertinent as these countries have become highly industrialised and economically advanced in a relatively short period. The increasing application of science and technology is a common denominator in all three of these countries.
With respect to China, the Chinese government has placed emphasis through funding, reform, and societal status on science and technology as a fundamental part of the socio-economic development of the country as well as for national prestige. China has made rapid advances in areas such as education, infrastructure; high-tech manufacturing; academic publishing; patents and commercial applications and is now in some areas and by some measures a world leader. China is now increasingly targeting indigenous innovation and aims to reform remaining weaknesses.
The State Council of the People’s Republic of China in 1995 issued the “Decision on Accelerating S&T (Science & Technology Development)” which described planned S&T  development for the coming decades. It described S&T as the chief productive force and affecting economic development, social progress, national strength, and living standards. S&T should become closely associated with market needs. Not only Soviet-style institutes should do research but also universities and private industries. State institutions should form joint ventures with Chinese or foreign venture capital in order for S&T developments to reach the industry. S&T personel should become more occupationally mobile, pay should be linked to economic results, and age and seniority should become less important for personal decisions. Intellectual property rights should be respected. Information exchange should improve and there should be competition and open bidding on projects. The environment should be protected. Chinese indigenous S&T in certain key areas should be especially promoted. Public officials should improve their understanding of S&T and incorporate S&T in decision-making. Society, including Communist Party youth organsations, labour unions and the mass media, should actively promote respect for knowledge and human talents.
A similar transformation also took place in India and Brazil, which have resulted in tremendous industrial and economic advancement.
Our country has the potential to follow in the footsteps of these countries but unfortunately at the moment we lag seriously  in science and technology and this of course is hindering our industrial take-off. But the above-mentioned three countries were once at a stage where Guyana is at the moment. Nevertheless, with the vision, commitment, innovativeness and sound education policies and programmes, they have transformed their industrial and economic development.
So we could emulate these countries as long as we adopt necessary vision, commitment, innovativeness and sound education policies and programmes, and the government has already signalled its intention to address the science deficiencies in our education system. Of course, the situation cannot be transformed overnight, but we need to address this problem in the shortest possible time because our country has been left behind because of a complexity of factors, particularly because of the political behaviour and agendas of both local politicians and their foreign conspirators.