The advent of technologies like 3D printing and robotics could significantly alter countries’ competitive advantages in global trade flows, and spell the end of factors like cheaper labour costs that usually benefit several developing countries, a top policymaker said on Sunday.
“With a technology like 3D printing, you don’t actually need transportation. You can design in one country and print in another country and the trade transaction can happen digitally,” said Niti Aayog Lead Adviser and Head, trade and commerce, Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan.
While technologies like Artificial Intelligence, robotics and blockchain are leading to a significant realignment in production processes as well as consumption patterns, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said that their adoption will also lead to changes in comparative advantages between countries.
