Participant’s name: Mr. Rustam Mammadov
Program’s name: Special Economic Zone and Industrial Zone Development for Promoting Foreign Direct Investment
Program’s period: January 17 – February 17, 2018
(Mr. Rustam Mammadov is on the left)
Special Economic Zone and Industrial Zone Development for Promoting Foreign Direct Investment training in Japan is an experience that taught me much, both professionally and personally. The program took place in Japan for three weeks and then moved to Indonesia for one more week.
The Japanese part of the program included interesting lectures on the topic by prominent persons in the field. As the course was organized in partnership with World Business Associates, we could have a first-hand experience in the making of Special Economic Zones. JICA experts along with WBA formed a very well-structured and practical program that included lectures, site visits, activities, trip to Okinawa and various case studies. I believe that the knowledge and skills learned during this course will serve me for a long time and help in many instances of my career.
Special Economic Zones and Industrial Zones are drivers of developing economies in the modern world. However, they can only succeed with proper development plans and smart management. These were the skills that were conveyed by our lecturers. Apart from the technical side, such concepts as continuous development (kaizen), ethics, social responsibility, were always stressed during the lectures. This led me to understand how the Japanese way of doing things actually is.
I think that just by learning the experience of one country and applying the same principles in another would simply never work. Each country is different in its core and steps to a successful implementation of the projects will and should differ. What is important to understand within the experience is the logic behind the actions that led to development. The course managed to convey this underlying logic behind the SEZ development process that can later be adapted to any country and be practiced.
Moreover, three weeks in Japan is an unforgettable experience. Tokyo, a modern and vibrant city, left a lot of memories and a wish to come back. The way tradition and modernity are harmonized in Japan is also something to learn, as this harmony makes even the most populated and fast-paced city seem calm and tranquil.
The second part of the course took place in tropical Jakarta. We could see very interesting examples of SEZ’s and how they are managed to maximize efficiency. Seeing how the theory that we learned in Japan, was being implemented in a developing country finalized our learning process.
Coming back from this program I feel highly motivated and eager to implement what I learned. I believe this course organized by JICA will serve me and my country well. Many thanks and warm wishes to JICA.
(Mr. Rustam Mammadov is on the right)