Staff Writer, Dubai

An intensive productive maintenance training program for Saudi engineers working in manufacturing companies was organized in Jeddah from 10-14 November.

According to a statement released by the Japan desk of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCME), the training program was conducted by the Ministry Industry and Mineral Resources (MEIM) and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), in cooperation with Japanese organizations such as the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM) and the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME).

The training program, held at the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON), focused on the practical side. The participants were able to visit the SAMCO factory to apply what they have learned in the classroom in a work environment.

“This stimulated participants’ eagerness to share and discuss ideas to realize more productive production in the factory,” said the statement.

Five such Japanese training programs have been organized for young Saudi engineers and 23 young Saudi engineers have already participated in them.

After completing the training, the engineers were awarded certificates by Mazen M. Johar, Deputy Minister of Industrial Services, and Masayuki Miyamoto, Consul General of Japan in Saudi Arabia.

The program is part of the series of measures taken under the Vision 2030 reforms for the development of the private sector and the strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) in the Kingdom as part of the Saudi-Japan joint effort.

Three other training programs – on Quality Control, Lean Production, and Six Sigma – are scheduled for January and February next year.