AFRICAN COMPANIES SHOULD EMULATE PROTON

SHAH ALAM (Bernama) -- African companies, lacking the
formula to drive their smaller counterparts, should emulate Proton Holdings Bhd
which has not only developed the technological capabilities of the local
industry but has, in the process, helped them prosper, says an African delegate
to the ongoing Langkawi International Dialogue (LID 2011).

Impressed with Proton's phenomenal success, the Chief Executive Officer of
the Namibian Manufacturers Association, Hennie Fourie, said a formula for
companies' success was clearly lacking in their respective countries.

He was particularly taken up with the national car manufacturer's ability to
create an industry eco-system comprising auto parts suppliers and related
service providers.

Fourie said many African countries want their small companies and industries
to grow into bigger entities.

"Although most African governments want to prompt small organisations to
develop further, industry players, however, don't have the necessary skills and
technological capabilities to prosper further.

"They operate in a vacuum because they have no idea what more to do. We need
to emulate Proton Holdings Bhd, a large and successful company that has helped
local industries develop technological capabilities," he told Bernama after
visiting Proton's manufacturing facility here Monday.

Fourie said Proton's development has had a spillover effect on the
industry's ecosystem.

"That worked for the area around them. A lot of small companies manufacture
parts for them, providing service for them. This has a multiplier effect on the
industry. This is their success formula.

"Big companies create opportunities. Small companies can make money but
cannot move any further," he said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Technology Centre
(Scientific Industrial Research Development) Dr Robson Mafoti said government
intervention in driving the economy was very important.

"Just look at Japan, Korea and of course Malaysia. These countries have full
backing from their governments," he said.

Mafoti said Zimbabwe had all the necessary minerals and resources but needed
partners to help develop them.

"Can we be given the opportunity to be part of it. We have a very good
factory for agro processing, mining and industrial equipment. The biggest asset
we have is education, our literacy rate is 92 per cent," he added.