Morocco is an example for other African countries in terms of industrialization and export promotion, Zambian expert Edward Chisanga said on Monday.
“What we need most is to follow the path taken by countries like Morocco whose world exports of manufactured products amount to 72%,” said Chisanga, member of the International Center for Trade and Commerce. Sustainable development.
He added that the Kingdom, like other Asian countries such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, has taken advantage of the World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements through its efforts to diversify and industrialize its economy.
“Africa must find by itself an added value in exports by engaging with rich countries in foreign direct investment and by developing the private sector,” he said.
Chisanga also observed that African countries should create wealth through exports of manufactured goods and foreign direct investment.
“For some, Africa has been exploited for too long by rich countries who have made it a supplier of raw materials for their continued industrialization and an importer of finished products,” the expert said, calling on African countries not to confine oneself to the victim role.
He explained that with structural weaknesses in the production of exportable products, especially manufactures, Zambia and Africa can only export raw materials largely in their raw form.
Returning to the case of Zambia, Mr. Chisanga noted that the country exports more primary products to China than it does in manufactures, while China exports more manufactured products than primary products.
“Zambia exports raw copper because it does not have the machines, human skills and infrastructure to integrate it into an industrial process and export finished products,” he regretted.
