<P> A similar state - led developing programme was pursued in virtually all the Third World countries during the Cold War, including the socialist ones, but especially in Sub-Saharan Africa after the decolonisation period . The primary scope of those projects was to achieve self - sufficiency through the local production of previously imported goods, the mechanisation of agriculture and the spread of education and health care . However, all those experiences failed bitterly due to a lack of realism: most countries did not have a pre-industrial bourgeoisie able to carry on a capitalistic development or even a stable and peaceful state . Those aborted experiences left huge debts toward western countries and fuelled public corruption . </P> <P> Oil - rich countries saw similar failures in their economic choices . An EIA report stated that OPEC member nations were projected to earn a net amount of $1.251 trillion in 2008 from their oil exports . Because oil is both important and expensive, regions that had big reserves of oil had huge liquidity incomes . However, this was rarely followed by economic development . Experience shows that local elites were unable to re-invest the petrodollars obtained through oil export, and currency is wasted in luxury goods . </P> <P> This is particularly evident in the Persian Gulf states, where the per capita income is comparable to those of western nations, but where no industrialisation has started . Apart from two little countries (Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates), the Persian Gulf states have not diversified their economies, and no replacement for the upcoming end of oil reserves is envisaged . </P> <P> Apart from Japan, where industrialisation began in the late 19th century, a different pattern of industrialisation followed in East Asia . One of the fastest rates of industrialisation occurred in the late 20th century across four countries known as the Asian tigers (Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan), thanks to the existence of stable governments and well structured societies, strategic locations, heavy foreign investments, a low cost skilled and motivated workforce, a competitive exchange rate, and low custom duties . </P>

Where did industrialization first begin on the continent