By Miyoko Ishigami
OSAKA (Japan) May 23 (KUNA) -- A Kuwaiti delegation of manufacturing entrepreneurs has concluded their factory visits in western Japan, where they were briefed about significant roles of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in the Japanese economy.
The visits to the factories in Higashi-Osaka area were part of their 10-day technical visit program in the country, which was organized by the Kuwait Industries Union in cooperation with the National Fund for Small and Medium Enterprise Development.
In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Tuesday, Kuwait Industries Union General Manager Huda Al-Baqshi emphasized the importance of exposing Kuwaiti entrepreneurs to their Japanese counterparts to share their experiences. Abdurrahman Al-Sharhan, one of the delegates, said that meeting with 88-year-old Masaaki Noda, who heads his stainless steel processing company, left an unforgettable impression on him. "I learned about Mr. Noda's philosophy of emphasizing quality of work over quantity," said Al-Sharhan after visiting Noda Metal Industries Ltd.
Hussain Ashkanani, the group facilitator, said that the delegates presented the Kuwait Industries Union's banner to the Japanese firms in appreciation for their time.
Today, Higashi-Osaka City is home to 6,500 small-medium sized manufacturing plants, which comprise half of the city's entire industry. The main concern in the city is the aging of society and decline in youth's interest in the manufacturing industry, according to the Osaka Manufacturing Tourism Promotion Association.
The itinerary of the Kuwaiti group in Japan also included the visits to such places as a governmental support facility, the Entrepreneurial Museum of Challenge and Innovation, and Toyota Motor Co's plant.
All delegates agreed that the 10-day program was a life-changing experience, confirming that they have learned something new from each site that they visited. The Kuwait Industries Union was established in 1989 with aim of serving the sector and industrialists, caring for their interests and boosting performance. (end) mk.hb