In the recently launched Vision 2030 it is envisaged that the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the GDP will increase by 10% to 15% by 2012.  To realize this, the Vision has identified three thrusts namely:

1. The promotion of value addition to agricultural products
2. Increasing industrial competitiveness of the local industries
3. Promoting the development and growth of SMEs.

TEPAQ AWEMAK 160

Arc welding machine developed by 4k MSE 2030 Programme

Currently MSEs are manufacturing several products, covering sixteen (16) sub-sectors and the products are currently being marketed locally and regionally.  A close examination of these products shows that whereas they are working and have clients, they are generally less attractive in appearance, less efficient and effective with generally no consideration for safety and health issues.  Furthermore standardization is not used and therefore you find same products manufactured by same entrepreneurs being different because of  varying parts and components.  This makes their replication, repairs and maintenance difficult.  In some cases the quality of raw materials is not considered and most entrepreneurs do not recognize the importance of protecting their innovations and creations, and of branding the products so that most products from MSEs have “no name”.  Moreover the MSEs use low level of technology and crude production techniques which make them unproductive and uncompetitive.  All these problems therefore make it difficult for the products of the MSEs to access the international market and because of this the MSEs cannot grow and cannot expand.  This situation needs to be addressed if the MSEs are to play a significant role in the industrialization of this country and the realization of Vision 2030.