Technical Training in Japan for the Promotion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the Republic of Cuba ＜June 2024＞

Cuba’s economy has shifted from a focus on state owned companies to an economy focused on privately owned small and medium-size enterprises.

In 2021, with a policy to promote small and medium size enterprises in the country, a new government policy was announced to increase the variety of businesses private company owners could be involved in and policies regarding small and medium size enterprises.
On this occasion, PREX received a commission from Oriental Consultants Global to arrange part of a training course on promoting small and medium-sized enterprises.
The participants were very enthusiastic and asked many questions on each visit to the training enterprises.
They showed great enthusiasm to develop businesses and the economy in their home country. With high hopes for success, the PREX staff felt quite tense accompanying the program.

Also, not only did the Cuban participants receive many tips and advice, the Japanese staff involved also had an opportunity to get to know about a ‘distant unknown country’.
I felt that this training program provided an opportunity to learn many new things through people meeting people.

(International Exchange Division, Sekino, Araki)

Cuban small and medium-size enterprise promotion advisors, 2024 fiscal year Japan technical training

• Schedule: (Fri.) June 14, 2024 – (Fri.) June 21 (*PREX commission period)
• Participants: 6 government officials, 6 business personnel
• Commission source: Oriental Consultants Global
• Lectures: At visiting locations (no particular order)

[Lecturers]
Kazuyuki Okamoto (Creation, Managing Director)
Kazuya Kuroda (Butterfly Effect Project, Director)
Koji Hayashi (Osaka University of Commerce, Faculty of Business Administration, Head of the Department of Management)
Shunji Nagai (Daiei Consulting, Managing Director)
Shintaro Nakamura (Japan International Cooperation Agency, International Cooperation Specialist [Social Security]

[Locations visited]
*[Only locations PREX requested]
Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Pensions Bureau
Japan Pension Service, Otemae Pension Service Office
Sunpac
Kawabe Shokai Co., Ltd.
Kansai Crown Co., Ltd.
Shiga Prefecture: Commerce, Industry and Tourism Division, Small and Medium-size Enterprise Support Section
Shiga Prefecture, Industry Support Plaza
Kyoto Shinkin Bank (Community Bank Kyoshin)
Kyoto Shisaku Net (Sasaki Chemical Co., Ltd., New Next, Kyoto Prefecture: Commerce, Industry, Labor and Tourism Division)
Kobe University, Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Headquarters

Let’s foster ourselves, foster others, and foster each other.

‘If a number of enterprises get together, 1+1 = 3 or 5 or even 10.’
These words were embodied in the lecture given when visiting Kyoto Shisaku Net.
Kyoto Shisaku Net is an association or coalition of various enterprises in Kyoto.
At present, there are 37 enterprises registered as members. The association works as a group providing consultation and support for other enterprises from the making of prototype products to development.

For example, a suggestion “How about making this product?” is made. Member enterprises share this information, and a member enterprise that has the technology to create the product raises its hand. Enterprises that have unique fields use them to create products. This is how the association or group works.
For training, we visited New Next Co., Ltd., a member company.
We were welcomed with photographs of retro-American automobiles which are famous in Cuba and a ‘Welcome Board’. On a whiteboard which completely covered a wall in the meeting room pictures of representative scenery of Japan and Cuba were drawn.
The participants were moved by the warm welcome they received.

First of all, Mr. Taro Yamamoto, Division Manager of Kyoto Prefecture Commerce, Industry, Labor and Tourism Division which has a close relationship with Kyoto Shisaku gave us an explanation of ‘Kyoto Prefecture’s Industry Promotion Policy Measures’

Finally, Mr. Toshihide Matsuoka, Chairman and Managing Director of New Next Co. Ltd., a member company, talked about a collaboration project with a Shisaku Net member on the path to creating the product “Jokin-saurus” (a shopping basket disinfecting device). It was a highly immersive presentation, with actual conversations and email exchanges shared. There was a vibrant atmosphere in the conference room which was packed with people who were involved.

The illustration on the wall in the above photograph was especially drawn for this day by a New Next staff member. The message “let’s foster ourselves, foster others, and foster each other” at the bottom of the photograph left a deep impression.