Would you please help me rephrase this in formal English?

Question

I have translated this from Arabic to English. Please help me make it look formal and nice.
A quick look at how the international economy developed after the Second World War shows clearly that technological creativity and innovational ability have become two of the most decisive elements for competing in financial markets. These two elements have become more important than any other natural elements; such as, availability of cheap labor. They are even more important than agricultural and industrial fortunes which exist relatively exclusively in some countries.
The experiences of some countries such as Japan and Korea in the field of technology indicate that achieving autonomous control of imported technology is a goal of utmost priority. We also learn from them that it is necessary to train technical, administrative and organizational cadres who are able to use this technology effectively, and creatively.

Goddess of Grammar,
How can I say "have developed" in the first sentence when the subject is singular?

Answer 1

A brief retrospect about the development of the international economy after the Second World War shows clearly that the drive for innovation coupled with technological advancement were the two decisive elements for competing in world financial markets. These two characteristics have surpassed other aspects in importance namely, the availability of cheap labor agricultural and industrial resources which are at times exclusively existent in some countries.

Taking into consideration countries Japan and Korea, whose experience in the field of technology is indicative that the achievement of autonomous control in imported technology should remain its primary goal.

We can likewise emulate these countries' placed importance in the necessity to train technical, administrative and organizational personnel who will be able to use the technology at hand effectively and creatively.

Answer 2

Use "have developed" in your first line.
I would say "factors" rather than "elements".

I don't understand this sentence:

They are even more important than agricultural and industrial fortunes which exist relatively exclusively in some countries.


Sorry, "has developed". My point was that (I presume) it's still developing, so you want present perfect, not past tense. I didn't double-check what the subject was.