Costed Action Plan for SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap Global Level: linking with GVCs is inevitable over the longer term, for which SADC’s SMEs, industrial and service clusters should build commensurate capabilities. Best business practices should be disseminated and gradual (protected) upgrading of clusters would be essential for global interface. 4.3 Capabilities Capabilities necessary for linking the four tiers include: (a) Training. Appropriate skills must be developed in core areas to facilitate linkages across the four tiers to encompass technology, entrepreneurship, communication, and awareness building. Training should go beyond production techniques to include components designed to build entrepreneurial and interpersonal skills. (b) Access to Finance. The optimal functioning of the links would require access to significant resources to finance needed infrastructure, equipment and operations, driven by a conscious policy to assist SMEs to overcome resource constrains and raise the scale of operations and competitiveness. (c) Coordination. There is a heightened need for building strong coordination and collaboration mechanisms to oversee guide and monitor the interactions between various producers and actors in the link chain. The loci of the interface should be primarily around the firm, cluster and RVC link as a strategic first action block. Links with GVC should constitute a graduation process, evolving overtime and geared towards creating conditions for equitable partnership with GVCs in interdependence and governance. 4.4. Action Programme for SMEs, Clusters and RVC Development The Action Plan proposes two linkage programmes: (i) Actions to strengthen SMEs, clusters and RVCs; and (ii) Business linkages. 4.5 Actions to Strengthen SME, Clusters and RVCs 4.5.1 SME Development Areas of intervention include: (i) Provision of business support services to enhance competitiveness and to operate efficiently. Important areas include training, technological and managerial assistance, marketing and physical infrastructure. 40