Japan Exports: $787 billion:

A mountainous, volcanic island country, Japan has inadequate natural resources to support its growing economy and large population, hence dependent on imported raw materials. The country however, built up a very diversified, varieties of advanced industries that are among the world's most successful. Japan's major exports include automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, semiconductors, copper, iron and steel. Secondary key industries include petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, bio-industry, shipbuilding, aerospace, textiles, and processed foods. The Japanese economy however, has stagnated, and was overtaken by China in 2010. It is now the world's 3rd largest economy.


2. South Korea Exports: $552 billion:

Having very little natural resources (most of the mineral deposits in Korean peninsular is ironically located in North Korea), South Korea has always suffered from overpopulation and its industries highly dependent on foreign-imported materials. But South Korea, in the most famous example given by World Bank, went from an African standard nation (in par with Ghana) in the 1960s to one of the world's leading industrial powerhouse today. Major exports of South Korea include semiconductors, wireless telecommunications equipment, automotive, computers, steel, ships, petrochemicals, high tech electronics and information displays. The South Korean economy is still expanding and is one of the best performer among developed nations. South Korea is currently the 15th largest economy in the world.

3. Italy Exports: $525 billion

Though Italy doesn't have much bustling skyscrapers, it is one of the world's leading economy and industrial nation. The main weakness Italy has over other major European powers however, is the lack of resources. Italy has few natural resources, and most raw materials needed for manufacturing are imported (the country imports 99.7% of its solid fuels demand, 92.5% of oil, 91.2% of natural gas) Left in ruins after World War 2, the country witnessed a period of rapid growth, transforming itself from a poor, mainly agricultural nation into a major industrial power until it was interrupted by the 1970s economic, political turmoil and social unrest. Major exports of Italy include engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, automotive, transport equipment, chemicals; food, beverages and tobacco; refined metals and high-end luxurious consumer products. The Italian economy has stagnated and is now plagued by high level of debts. At its height in 1991, the Italian economy was the 4th largest in the world. It was re-overtaken by both France and the United Kingdom and is now the 8th largest economy.


4. Hong Kong Exports: $438 billion

Hong Kong, due to its size, has very little arable land and natural resources, so it imports most of its food and raw materials. Industrialization took place during the 1950s and 1960s, changing Hong Kong from an entrepot-reliance city into an international financial hub. Hong Kong however, has been losing its manufacturing industries since 1990s, with 80% of them now largely shifted to mainland China. What's remain in Hong Kong is the light and high-tech industries. Hong Kong is the world's largest entrepot, the city does not produce much, but it imports semi-manufacture, refine and assemble them, then re-export them at higher value. 96% of Hong Kong's exports are made up from re-exports. Major exports of Hong Kong include textiles & clothing, electronics, plastics, toys, watches and clocks. The rest are re-exports. The economy of Hong Kong is still growing thanks to its close connection to China. Hong Kong is currently the 40th largest economy in the world.

5. Singapore Exports: $415 billion

With no natural resources and having the smallest population in this list, Singapore shows the world how a tiny island can likewise become one of the world's most prosperous and advanced economy. Having virtually nothing in its island, Singapore has to import everything it needs, including water (from neighboring Malaysia) A leading entrepot like Hong Kong, 48% of Singaporean exports are made up from re-exports (importing raw goods, refine and re-export them), but unlike Hong Kong, Singapore has a strong manufacturing industries of its own. The tiny island produces 10% of world's semiconductor wafer. Major exports of Singapore include machinery and equipment, electronics, semiconductor, consumer goods, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals and refined oil. The rest are re-exports. The economy of Singapore is still surging, with compliments to good governance and strategic economic policies. Singapore is currently the 37th largest economy in the world.

6. Belgium Exports: $332 billion

Except for its coal, which is no longer economical to exploit, Belgium has virtually no natural resources. Belgium must import and is heavily reliance on foreign raw materials, and thus is very vulnerable to global market and commodities prices. The country, surrounded by industrial powerhouse the likes of Germany, France and the United Kingdom, has never got a chance to build up strong manufacturing base, instead it focuses on niche industries, especially light and high-tech industries. Belgium for instance, has the largest diamond cutting industry (Antwerp) in the world. The country is also a leading entrepot in Europe, where it imports raw materials and semi-finished goods that are further processed and re-exported. Major exports of Belgium include machinery and equipment, chemicals, finished diamonds, metals and metal products, foodstuffs. The rest are re-exports. The economy of Belgium has slowed down significantly amid Eurozone crisis, but still show a better growth than most of developed Europe. Belgium is currently the 23rd largest economy in the world.

[/b]7. Switzerland Exports: $322 billion

Switzerland is sort of different from others in the list - in that it is landlocked, but the country proved that such inconvenient is not a barrier to becoming one of the world's leading exporter. Switzerland has virtually no natural resources, and its annual trade balance is usually in the red, owing to the economy's reliance on large quantities of imported raw materials for industry. Surrounded by major industrial nations (i.e. Germany, France, Italy), Switzerland, like Belgium, has no chance of establishing a strong manufacturing base. It instead, focuses in niche industries, specifically light and agricultural industries. Switzerland has very strong food processing and confectionery industry, producing multinational food company such as Nestle. The Swiss also excelled in luxurious watch-manufacturing, with well-known global brands such as Rolex and Swatch. Major exports of Switzerland include machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products and foodstuffs, and the country is the 19th largest economy in the world. 8. Taiwan Exports: $307 billion Period of massive industrialization:


8. Taiwan Exports: $307 billion

During the 50 years of Japanese colonial rule, Japan extensively swept up the natural resources of Taiwan. By the end of World War 2, Taiwan has been pretty much devoid of its resources. Towards the 1950s, Taiwan was a rural, backwater island with living standard on par with the nation of Congo in Africa. Due to the lack of natural resources, Taiwan is forced to and is heavily reliant on foreign imports of raw materials, where up to 98% of its domestic industrial needs are to be imported. The island however, experienced rapid industrialization which transformed it into the world's no.1 hi-tech electronics and semiconductor manufacturing hub. In the 1980s, Taiwan had become an economic power, with a mature and diversified economy, solid presence in international markets and huge foreign exchange reserves. By 2010, Taiwan replaced former colonial master Japan as the world's top producer of semiconductor. Major exports of Taiwan include computers, electronics, semiconductor, flat panels, machinery; metals; textiles, plastics, chemicals; optical, photographic, measuring and medical instruments. The economy of Taiwan is currently experiencing upward trajectory growth due to global consumer electronics boom, with worldwide consumer electronics spending expected to reach $1 trillion in 2012. Taiwan is the 27th largest economy in the world.

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/offtopic-discussion-314159273/8-countries-with-no-natural-resource-but-thrive-to-29364331/


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Cool

OP YOU TRY OO! You are the one we ought to be calling NL HERO!

If after his tenure baba Fails to wean this country of her dependence on Oyel,


Posterity will not only Judge him, but make sure his name follows the likes of Sani Abacha into the bad book of records.

The population of Singapore and Hong Kong are 5.5m and 7.2m respectively. Yet they have total exports of $415b and $438b respectively. This translates to Export per Capita of approximately $75k and $60k.

Nigeria (even at $60 oil price and production level of 2m bbls/day) will have total export of less than $50b. With a population of about 170m, this translates to Export per Capita of approximately $300. Giant of Africa indeed!

Our creative and productive capacities have been thrown to the dogs. This is what you get when a society promotes & celebrates cheap wealth without hard work. When a society promotes corruption & Impunity, then young persons won't believe in hard work anymore - especially when politicians "make" more in a month than you will earn in a lifetime.

No africa nation? Na wa!

moral of the story:
all you only need is a visionary leadership, hardworking, disciplined and patriotic citizen with believe in themselves and God given talent to build a prosperous and rich country.
Building a prosperous country is not dependent on oil, not massive arable land, not gold deposits, not even access to the Sea nor large populations, these may help but if not well managed can be a hindrance to prosperity.
so based on the countries above, Odua, Arewa, Ijaw, Niger delta, Biafra republics all can be prosperous if they apply themselves to it.

there