JICA Knowledge Co-Creation Program: Small and Medium Enterprise Development Policies (A)

The Program brought together 14 government officials and representatives of public SME support organizations from 13 countries across Asia, Europe, the Pacific, and Latin America.

During the four-week training program, participants learned about Japan’s SME support policies and best practices at both the national and local levels. Through visits to SME support organizations and companies that have benefited from these support measures, they gained first-hand insights into on-site practices and had valuable opportunities to exchange views with practitioners. The participants showed a high level of interest throughout the program, as demonstrated by the many insightful questions raised during both the lectures and site visits. The program helped participants gain a clearer understanding of the challenges facing SMEs in their countries and provided valuable insights and ideas for enhancing their own SME support policies and programs. It also offered valuable insights that can be applied to the formulation of future SME promotion strategies and country-specific action plans.

【Gaining first-hand insights through field visits】

A key outcome of the program was the development of individual Action Plans, enabling participants to translate their learning into concrete initiatives tailored to the needs of their home countries. Throughout the program, participants demonstrated exceptional enthusiasm, curiosity, and teamwork, actively supporting one another and engaging in meaningful discussions that enriched the learning experience.

【Engaging in interactive Q&A sessions after lectures】

Participants also highly appreciated the Project Cycle Management (PCM) methodology, recognizing it as an effective tool for analyzing problems, identifying root causes, and developing practical solutions applicable to both their professional responsibilities and everyday challenges. They also provided valuable suggestions for future programs, including allocating more time for PCM exercises and practical workshops, which will contribute to the continuous improvement of the PREX training programs.

As participants return home to implement their Action Plans, they carry with them new knowledge, practical skills, and lasting international networks. We are confident that they will serve as “agents of change”, applying what they have learned in Japan to strengthen SME development and contribute to sustainable economic growth in their respective countries. PREX sincerely wishes them every success in their future endeavors.

【Celebrating the completion of the program with the Course Leader and wishing participants continued success in their future challenges!!】