Take a leaf from Malaysia–Kilewo
by Simba Nyamaume
The Chairman of the Confederation of Tanzania Industries,
Mr. Arnold Kilewo has said Tanzanians should embark on a process to bring about
an economic revolution if they have to reach sustainable development.
Mr. Kilewo said that such economic development has to be
in-line with the country’s development vision 2000-2025 aimed at reducing
poverty and raising the standard of living.
He was speaking in Moshi at the inauguration of the Board
of Directors of the Kilimanjaro Development Fund (KDF). He said that failure of
making an economic revolution will mean Tanzanians cannot be self-sufficient in
the production of food and material wealth and will thus remain underdeveloped.
Mr. Kilewo cited the fast growing economy of Malaysia, a
country in South-east Asia, whose level of economic development some 40 years
ago was almost the same with that of Tanzania. But after four decades the
Malaysians have tremendously advanced leaving Tanzania among the world’s 48
Least Developed Countries, 33 of which are in Africa.
He said the secret behind Malaysia’s economic success lies
in education. The authorities in Kuala Lumpur have during the period in question
embarked on a series of educational programmes to train its people on the
fast-changing technologies and equip them with knowledge on the latest
technologies.
"It is high time for Tanzanians to emulate what the
Malaysians are doing as a means of reaching sustainable development to succeed
in alleviating poverty", he said.
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