…policy initiatives for developing economies
Since the Industrial Revolution and the onset of globalisation, countries have benefitted from rapid economic growth by leveraging their own natural resources and exploiting cheap labour. This model has now been stretched to its limits for many countries around the world. It is time for developing economies to look forward with a new approach that helps them leapfrog out of low-growth cycles into higher productivity models. The key is to find innovative ways for developing economies to compete in trade while preserving their own resources, development agendas and social fabric.
The growth model that worked during the Industrial Revolution and the 20th century is no longer working. While it once promoted the development of emerging economies, it has now become an obstacle to future growth and development. The model focused on exploiting cheap labour to gain a competitive advantage in global markets.
The result was a widening gap between today’s haves and have-nots, as we see in China and India. With a large population able to create cheap products for global markets on one hand, and many without adequate health care or infrastructure on the other, developing economies will not be able to sustain this divide in the long run – not to mention that they will begin losing their labour force at an even faster pace.
Developing economies will need to find their own way forward if they are to achieve sustainable growth and development. The best way is to leapfrog into new models for growth that make the most of their local resources, while also leveraging the full potential of global markets. Since the Industrial Revolution, countries have followed a ‘business as usual’ growth model wherein they could take advantage of cheap labour and resources to more effectively compete in global markets. But globalisation has now outpaced this model. Faced with shrinking populations, many developed economies are now stuck in an endless cycle of low-productivity growth and high unemployment.
To escape this trap, policymakers need to develop strategies that enable developing economies to reach a new level of productivity growth. As nations begin facing challenges associated with a globalised world, they face a new set of opportunities as well. Leveraging their own natural resources and exploiting cheap talent will be key to the future of many developing economies, especially those that have yet to implement policies that promote innovation and drive productivity gains. However, countries will also have to look beyond their borders for innovative solutions in order to realise the full potential of globalisation. There are several countries offering examples of what is possible through policy reforms – such as Turkey and Indonesia – but many more that have leapfrogged ahead in recent years.
The good news is that there are several development approaches that can help developing economies leapfrog into new growth models, including the most effective ones. But policymakers need to be careful not to focus too much on only one or two strategies – as many countries are trying to do – but rather develop a comprehensive solution that focuses on more than just a few areas. To be most successful, a strategy needs to be inclusive of key areas for growth and development; such as innovation, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. The right balance of these priorities in a country’s economic development will set the foundation for sustained growth and development in the decades ahead.
Innovation will play a pivotal role in the success of developing economies as they aim to leapfrog the growth trap. Embracing technological advancements and fostering a culture of innovation will enable these economies to compete on a global scale. Policymakers should prioritise investment in research and development, education and entrepreneurship to create an environment conducive to innovation. By encouraging startups and providing support for emerging industries, developing nations can establish themselves as hubs for creativity and technological progress.
One area that holds great promise is renewable energy. Developing economies are often rich in renewable resources like solar, wind and hydroelectric power. By investing in and promoting the adoption of clean energy technologies, these countries can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also tap into a rapidly growing global market for sustainable energy solutions. This transition to clean energy will not only drive economic growth but also address pressing environmental challenges.
Furthermore, social cohesion is an essential component of sustainable development. Addressing inequality, improving healthcare and education systems, and ensuring access to basic services for all citizens will contribute to a more equitable society. By creating a social safety net, developing economies can mitigate the adverse effects of economic fluctuations and foster social stability. Inclusivity should also extend to gender equality and empowerment, as harnessing the talents of all citizens can enhance economic productivity and innovation.
Environmental sustainability must be at the forefront of policy initiatives in the modern age. Developing economies can learn from the mistakes of industrialised nations and adopt eco-friendly practices that prioritise the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. By implementing and enforcing stringent environmental regulations, investing in sustainable agriculture and promoting responsible manufacturing practices, these nations can achieve economic growth without compromising the well-being of future generations.
In the context of globalisation, forming strategic partnerships and collaborations with both neighbouring and distant countries can offer valuable opportunities for development. Trade agreements, technology transfers and knowledge-sharing can foster cross-border integration and open doors to new markets. Developing economies should seek to position themselves as reliable and innovative partners in the global economic landscape, leveraging their unique strengths and resources to create mutually beneficial relationships.
Additionally, as a strategy, the establishment of special economic zones such as the Dawa Industrial Zone aligns with the core principles of leapfrogging – leveraging local resources, promoting innovation, and engaging with global markets. By designating certain areas as special economic zones, countries can create concentrated hubs of economic activity that attract both domestic and foreign investment.
The Dawa Industrial Zone, for instance, serves as an incubator for startups, serves as an economic backbone, and creates opportunities for foreign investment. Such a framework can provide the foundation for sustainable growth in all types of industries. The combination of these development strategies will enable developing economies to reach new heights of productivity and compete on the international stage.
To finance these initiatives, developing economies can explore a combination of domestic and international funding sources. Domestic resource mobilisation through efficient taxation, public-private partnerships and effective public financial management can generate revenue for essential projects. Additionally, engaging with international financial institutions, impact investors and donor organisations can provide access to capital and technical expertise that accelerates development efforts.
Leapfrogging as a Strategy
While leapfrogging requires substantial effort and careful planning, it offers a unique chance to rapidly transform economies in a globalised world. The following policy initiatives can be applied to the development of sustainable growth in a globalised world:
- Developing a strong innovation ecosystem for developing countries: Innovation will be vital for government leaders to stay competitive in the global marketplace. Technology is playing an increasingly important role for consumers worldwide, and this trend will only continue as innovative products become more affordable and accessible to developing countries. To encourage innovation at home, governments will need to invest in policies that address human capital – such as education, health care and research & development – as well as build a strong environment for innovation, including an emphasis on R&D tax credits and funding opportunities.
- Promoting social cohesion in local markets by supporting entrepreneurship initiatives via local government policies: Policymakers in developing countries will need to find solutions to address the growing income gap between the rich and poor. Government leaders can generate growth by promoting entrepreneurship through local government policies. In addition, they can build on existing micro-finance models to support small businesses run by women and other vulnerable populations. This approach helps leverage the progress made in previous decades by giving people at the bottom of the income ladder more opportunities to succeed.
- Developing a sustainable approach to natural resource management: Improving resource management is imperative in developing economies to facilitate sustainable growth and development. Local governments can implement policies that support this goal by better-managing forests, soils, water, minerals and other resources that drive growth in rural areas. They can also work on reducing pollutants that cause environmental degradation, while also helping to protect the natural systems that remain intact. These steps will build resilience against climate change while also supporting local communities and reducing poverty worldwide.
- Exploiting the full potential of global markets without losing local competitiveness through the promotion of trade facilitation: Greater trade will continue to be a key driver of economic growth in the future, especially for developing countries. However, the process of international trade can be costly and unnecessarily complicated for many developing economies. In many cases, these systems are not designed to account for the full potential of global markets without losing local competitiveness. Policymakers will need to work with other countries in order to improve compliance and simplify export procedures, so that businesses can easily access global markets while also reducing costs for consumers and producers at home.
- Improving government services through partnerships with the private sector: Countries will need to focus on improving their public services if they are serious about building a sustainable economy for their people in the decades ahead. Fortunately, the private sector can play a critical role in this area. Governments have an opportunity to partner with the private sector in order to increase their capacity for innovation and provide better services for their people. This approach can help countries build stronger communities and improve education, health care and other quality-of-life indicators.
- Developing local human capital by creating a skilled workforce across all levels of society through proactive social policies that support inclusion in the global economy: Sustained economic progress is only possible when a country has a skilled workforce in place, especially leaders at all levels of society who have had access to high-quality education throughout their lives. Governments will need to look beyond the traditional education system in order to develop a skilled workforce – tapping the insights and experience of people from all walks of life, including at-risk youth, women seeking greater opportunities, and those with disabilities looking for career opportunities.
- Technological innovation through digitalisation: These are critical leapfrog anchors imperative to Africa’s future, and will shape development on the continent in ways that are difficult to anticipate. However, the impact of the shale and tight oil revolution in the USA demonstrates the potential of new technologies to leapfrog aspects of traditional development. This is most likely in the renewable energy space, provided the challenges associated with energy storage can be overcome. Already, the uptake of mobile phones and the Internet has brought financial services to millions – and mobile telephony is at the forefront of social change in Africa.
Conclusion
Innovative public policy will be the key to developing a sustainable economy for all in an increasingly globalised world. Developing countries can leapfrog ahead of developed nations by integrating innovative policies into their development strategy. While this approach has tremendous potential for growth, it will take substantial effort to develop and implement effective policies at the local level.
Although the initial challenges may be significant, the payoff will be worth it for many developing countries, because leapfrogging is one of the most important paths to sustainable development in our increasingly globalised world. Again, developing countries can leverage international partnerships to help them build new skills, infrastructure and institutions with the right approach. This in turn can help government leaders improve human capital across their populations while boosting economic growth in the process.
The writer is an award-winning financial advisory, trade and transformation consulting professional, with almost two decades of enterprise leadership experience across EMEA.
