Are Asian least developed countries sidelined in advanced manufacturing production networks?

The production of parts for high‐technology final products can play an important role in advancing economic development. This appears a particularly attractive outcome for least developed countries (LDCs). But due to data constraints, analysis has been based largely on middle‐income economies. We seek to address this gap by using proxy data to explore the position of Asian LDCs in electronics and automotive production. Our analysis shows that there has been a surprising amount of LDC trade activity in these sectors over the past decade. In addition, a group of LDCs has succeeded in what appears to be successful engagement with these production networks. We discuss the forms of participation we observe and ask whether they might enable countries to attain development outcomes that might otherwise be out of reach.