Theory question 104
Manufacturing Industry(a) Describe three ways in which light industries differ from heavy industries
(b) Give four reasons why light industries are more prevalent than heavy industries in tropical Africa.
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(a) Light industries make small, light consumer goods (shoes, soap, drinks), heavy industries make bulky producer goods (steel, machines, ships); light need little capital and space, heavy need huge capital and large sites; light use small amounts of raw materials and power, heavy use great quantities; light employ many women, heavy mainly men; light located near markets, heavy near raw materials/ports
(b) Shortage of capital for heavy industry; lack of technology and skilled labour; small local market for heavy goods but large demand for consumer goods; raw materials for light industries are available locally (cotton, cocoa, palm oil); quick returns on investment; inadequate power supply; government import-substitution policies
Differences in (a) should come in matching pairs.