The Maghreb countries had a promising start in economic growth after independence. For the most part they thrived on industrialisation by import substitution; but unfortunately this strategy left them with macroeconomic and structural imbalances which together have effectively constrained their ability to compete in the world economic system and to catch up with the rapidly changing global techno-economic circumstances. Issues relating to aspects of technology transfer to the Maghreb, strategies for technological and resource development and the integration of education and R&D systems with the productive systems of the economies in the region are discussed along with relevant cases from Mexico, China, South Korea, India and Bangladesh.