My summary:
It needs higher level in both quantity and quality investment and training in vocational colleges and schools etc....than what is currently found in region. More key is that private companies are fully invested and integrated into this process so they can shape the talent to their needs...so that over time they can develop critical specialisation in a process/technology that goes into something bigger.
Germany had a key help through the Marshall program (post war) and its own heritage of industry + craft + specialized (esp materials) research...the Mittelstand did not come out of thin air. But there are basic concepts from it that can be applied anywhere with the right leadership and bureaucratic reform.
It does not even really enter into the equation for BD tbh right now (even compared to say what India has achieved in some sectors), unless BD govt gets its grubby hands out of all the excise duties and required bribes etc for any kind of SME trying to take shape.....and instead focuses on rule of law and standards (i.e the principal things a govt is there for rather than intervening excessively in the free market).
Simply saying SEZ this and SEZ that (like some members here seem to love doing) is really stupid as SMEs need to take shape
outside the SEZs to feed them the supply of components....and start earning profits so they can long term re-invest and improve at a base level. India too had its SEZ = be all, end all phase (trying to carbon copy Chinese experience) till they stagnated big time and better reforms (which are still ongoing) had to happen for the SME base to really shape up (and thats where competition between states and political parties is a positive).
The reforms for the supply chains have to be comprehensive and thorough...but that necessarily requires the loss of (at least unitary) political ownership and control over industry at a micro-level (macro level can still be done as politically feelz needed through holding companies/SOE ownership).....but I don't see BAL being ready to let go of this....they prefer to put party over the country.
@Atlas @Tanveer666