Lelo Nxumalo

(As I wait for the official result from the presidential election). Below is a cool graphic from   The Observatory of Economic Complexity :  a tool that allows users to quickly compose a visual narrative about countries and the products they exchange. The charts below are as of 2010. In 1995 the majority of our exports (by value) went to Europe (16% to the UK, 11% to Germany) and Japan (11%). Fifteen years later, the top destinations for Zim exports were the United Arab Emirates (20%) and China (16%). Germany's share fell to about 3% and the UK's 4.2%, while Japan's shrunk to just 3%.  Where does Zimbabwe Export To?

Vietnam plans to become a modern and industrialized country by 2020 (Socio-Economic Development Plan, 2011). One hallmark of industrialized states is the extent of the manufacturing sector, and in particular, the share of medium and high technology value added within this sector (Amsden 2004, UNIDO 2010, CIEM 2010). Manufacturing generates externalities in technology development, skill creation and learning that are crucial for competitiveness. A cursory analysis of the share of medium and high technology activities in total manufacturing exports shows a positive correlation between the latter and economic development (UNIDO, 2011). Analyzing manufacturing exports allows for a better comparison across countries as the ability to participate in global markets illustrates the competitiveness of a country. Vietnam has benefited from a program of internal modernization, a transition from its agricultural base toward manufacturing and services, and a demographic dividend powered by its yo...