Industrialising Malawi

Malawi is in a serious drive to scale up industrialisation after recording widening trade deficits.

What steps or strategies  should Malawi take to achieve its dream. Mind you the wish has been there ever since it got independence. The following strategies have been used before:

• Import substitution strategies
• Investment incentives such as tax free packages for investors equipment and tax holidays
• Open trade
• Joining regional trade integration arrangements
• And now its the national export strategy

But little has been achieved with more old manufacturing companies closing. Losing to new competitors who have their manufacturing plants in far away countries. What is wrong with us, any suggestions?

What can Malawi do to break through?