News Bulletin issued by JICA Saudi Arabia Office

Transcription

1 hó`dg hé` àلd á`«féhé«dg á`décƒdg News Bulletin issued by JICA Saudi Arabia Office JAPAN Official Development Assistance 14th Issue - 1 Oct., 2010G LET S MOVE TOWARDS MORE TECHNICAL COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPMENT For a better tomorrow for all ```«ªéلd ag ```ل ó``` d JICA Saudi Arabia Office P.O. Box Riyadh Tel.: (01) Fax : (01) sa_oso_rep@jica.go.jp Website: Time has come to announce the termination of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Saudi Arabia after about 35 years of incessant remarkable and successful technical cooperation achievements in the Kingdom. I would like to take advantage of this opportunity, to express my sincere feeling that I have been privileged and honored to serve in this country as the Resident Representative to the JICA Office. With the help of my office staff and the support of my Saudi counterparts we could realize successful and sounding completion of our ODA activities in the Kingdom. In this context, I would like to express my deep appreciation to the Japanese Government, the JICA Headquarters and to the Japanese Embassy in Saudi Arabia for exerting all efforts and support needed for extending the proper Japanese ODA Ryuichi Tomizawa JICA RR - KSA Office technical cooperation activities to the Saudi organizations for development. Special thanks also go to the Saudi government and to its organizations for supporting and facilitating our mission in the Kingdom; where we could fulfill the prospected success to the Saudi-Japanese joint technical cooperation and to our common goal for the development of the Saudi human resources. Thanks also go to all other public and private organizations and officials in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and in Japan for their continuous understanding, effective support and contribution to back-up of our activities in the Kingdom. Needless to say, our Japanese ODA technical cooperation to the Kingdom has provided us with a very useful platform of exchanging information and knowledge, views and ideas, experiences and lessons gained throughout our joint work in an atmosphere of co-understanding for development. At this moment, I would like to state that even though the Japanese ODA has been terminated for the Kingdom, a new era of technical cooperation will be launched through another scheme of JICA cost-sharing basis program. In the mean time, another different channel of cooperation will take place through the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE). It is my pleasure to see the Saudi and the Japanese officials concerned very keen to have our technical cooperation sustained. Several Saudi organizations expressed willingness and interest in continuation of our programs through any possible means of cooperation to be agreed upon between the two governments. Proud to say, during the past thirty five years of our Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation, we have realized a lot of achievements to various sectors in the Kingdom. We have been working with the Saudi government as one team with a common goal and target for development. Now, we are in a position of sustaining our relationship and partnership not only towards the development of Saudi Arabia but also to other developing countries in the Middle East and Africa. I do really wish to see Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its national human resources extending technical assistance and transfer technologies to other developing countries in the region.

2 TRAINING THE PASSAGE TO HR DEVELOPMENT... JICA & JICE Offers New Scheme for Technical Cooperation to the Kingdom Along the past 35 years, before the termination of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Japanese government through JICA has been inviting Saudi personnel and staff from the Saudi governmental organizations for training in Japan in various fields of training courses. These training programs as well as other technical cooperation programs and projects were financed and covered by the Government of Japan while Air Fare for some training courses were covered by the Saudi government. Now, after termination of the ODA to the Kingdom, and in compliance with the Saudi authorities interest and appreciation to the continuation of JICA s technical cooperation to the Kingdom as expressed in the Saudi-Japanese Joint Commission Meeting which was held in Japan early May 2010, Japanese government decided to continue JICA s technical cooperation for accepting Saudi personnel for training in Japan on a new system of cost-sharing basis as of July Several Saudi organizations expressed interest to participate in JICA training programs under the new scheme of cost-sharing training. On the other hand, another different channel of cooperation through the Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE) has been proposed to the Saudi government for training and dispatching experts. Yet, JICE technical cooperation activities will be fully covered by the Saudi recipient organizations and implemented upon their request. Regardless of the new scheme of JICA and before the ODA termination date end of this year 2010, Japanese government through the office of JICA in the Kingdom circulated the following Group Training Courses and invited the below listed Saudi candidates from various organizations to participate in the remaining part of training course in Japan under the ODA. To benefit from the new scheme of JICA technical cooperation training, interested organizations shall officially apply through the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Embassy of Japan and JICA Office with its requested list of courses concerned, so that JICA could consider and guide the interested organization for the proper official procedures for application on cost-sharing basis and acceptance. Whilst, interested organizations which are ready to fully cover their requested training courses or receiving experts shall directly contact JICE through JICA Office in Riyadh for coordination and necessary procedures. JFY 2010 Training Courses Recently Circulated COURSE TITLE FROM TO Pollution Control for Hazardous Substances in the Environment 31 May Aug Operation of Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the DSU.WTO Agreement 06 June June 2010 Web Application Development (Open Source) for E-Government 06 July Dec Chief Information Officer (CIO) for E-Government Promotion (A) 27 July Nov Information Security for E-Government Promotion 03 Aug Dec Emergency / Disaster Medicine` 22 Aug Sep Disaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Course in Asia 17 Aug Sep Operation and Maintenance of Sewerage System 07 Sept Nov List of Participants of Group Training Courses in JFY 2009/2010 NAME ORGANIZATION COURSE TITLE Mr. Abulrahman Ali Alshehri King Khaled University Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Mr. Hassan Ibraheem Ahmasani Ministry of Water and Electricity E-Government Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Tukruni Ministry of Water and Electricity Integrated Water Resources Management for Middle East Mr. Hassan Shaso Al-Shumrani Presidency of Meteorology and Environment Pollution Control for Hazardous Substances in the Environment Mr. Bakur Malik Elyas Ministry of Water and Electricity Chief Information Officer (CIO) for E-Government Promotion (A) Mr. Mohammed Rashed Alsaudi Ministry of Civil Service Information Security for E-Government Promotion Mr. Mohammed Abdullah Alzaher King Abdulaziz Medical City Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim Alsaloom Ministry of Health Disaster Nursing & Rehabilitation Course in Asia Mr. Abdulmajid Alghamdi National Guard, Health Affairs Hospital Admin. & Health Services Management Mr. Khalid Abdulrahman Abu Haimed M.of Health, King Fahd S. Hospital Damm. Emergency/disaster Medicine Mr. Abdulmohsen Abdulziz AlKowalilit Ministry of Water and Electricity Operation & Maintenance of Sewerage System 2

3 1st. Participants Under New Schema of Training Came Home NAME ORGANIZATION COURSE TITLE Mr. Hatim Sarin Ratah Mr. Mohammed Hassan Algaroudi Ministry of Water and Electricity Integrated Water Research Management Hatim and Algaroudi in Japan Hatim Sarin Ratah Mohammed Hassan Algaroudi Mr. Ratah and Mr. Algaroudi came back home after completion of their 2 weeks training in Japan under the newly adopted cost-sharing technical cooperation scheme of JICA for training of Saudi personnel in Japan. As soon as they arrived in Riyadh, the two participants expressed their appreciation for the proper arrangements made by JICA for their training in Japan and presented JICA Office the following message.. «This training tells the story of legendary myth of Japan for water» Japan has a great experience in the provision of safe and the highest standards drinking water. We had a great opportunity of training organized by JICA in Japan, that brought us closer and learn more about the Japanese experiences in the management of water resources, methods and techniques used in water supply and the meantime the course was as a story of legendary tells the legend of Japan for water from the water formation at the source to the point of supply to the consumer in a safe and high quality specifications. During the course s discussions, lectures and field visits we could gain knowledge and experience of the concept of integrated management of water resources and how they are applied at the national and regional levels where responsibilities are shared by organizations concerned through continuous collaboration and coordination using the latest tools and techniques showing how work integrity is administratively and technically. We thank (JICA) for providing training programs with rich knowledge and experiences that contribute to capacity-building potential of the trainees. VOICE OF JICA EX-PARTICIPANTS Abdulrahman Ali Al-Shehry Admin. Dir., Faculty of Computer Science King Khaled University, Abha, KSA Those who visit Japan will have the opportunity to learn many things from just walking in the streets or watching TV or using the train, besides learning from the educational curriculum provided by the universities or training institutes. I have got all this feeling not once but twice. Thanks to JICA for giving me those opportunities, which truly changed my life. JICA gave me the first opportunity in 2004 to travel to Tokyo a city where everything going fast and regularly. I have spent there 9 months of my life, where passed as one moment of a happy dream in a quiet night. I learned in those nine months of how Japan in a short period of time has been able to overcome all difficulties, climatic conditions and earthquakes and the results of destructive wars and beyond all obstacles to become the second economic power in the world. Not only economic progress but the progress of scientific knowledge and in relations with all countries of the world while maintaining Japan s long tradition and ethics and ideals of high value. One hundred and twenty million people live in a hundred and twenty thousand square kilometers with only cleaning roads and easy cruise in the streets and train stations are seen impressive as no one feel that there is any problem. The second chance for me to visit Japan is this year in January 2010, not to Tokyo this time but to the Okinawa quiet island. The island is inhabited by wonderful people who are kinder than any people I ve ever met. Sceneries and environment are wonderful destination for tourists from around the world; really thank you JICA again. My first JICA training was on Information Technology and in the field of e-government the second time that made me as a JICA expert and a reference in both areas, thanks to the high level of training received and the seriousness of the Japanese instructors who are providing high quality training... Thanks for all who shared in preparation of the two programs; both from the Japanese Embassy or the Office of JICA in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or in Japan, thanks to the people of Japan for the brother who have placed their attention to us so we felt we were in our country and among our people and I wish all the progress and prosperity to the Government and the brotherly people of Japan. 3

4 EVENT OF THE YEAR... WATER MASTER PLAN STUDY ON FINAL STAGE 3 Years of Saudi-Japanese Cooperation for Water Resources Development The Study on Renewable Water Resources Development in South-Western Region in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will complete its 3-year implementation period in October The formulated master plan study is aimed to be presented in the Development Plan of the Kingdom aiming to formulate a National Master Plan for sustainable water resource development, utilization and management in the southwest region of KSA and to transfer relevant skills and technologies mainly to Saudi personnel and water specialists of the Ministry of Water and Electricity (MoWE). From the common understanding that water is the source of all nations life since the first day of creation, the idea of the Saudi-Japanese study was constructed therefore on view of the true and actual water condition and demand in the Kingdom. Deserts and arid areas extend over its whole land bringing water security issue as one of the top issues to sustain people s life and domestic industries in the Kingdom. However, the increase in Kingdom s population, urbanization and industrialization induced the rapid increase of water demand and made it indispensable to seek for the appropriate and prompt effective measures against the water scarcity and sustainability. As one of its top undertakings towards water issue therefore, the Japanes government in resonse to the Saudi government s request agreed upon implementation of a master plan study on water that could be utilized in providing appropriate measures for the development of renewable water resources to the Kingdom. In 2007, MoWE and JICA accordingly launched the study covering Makkah, Al Baha, Asir, Jizan and Najran Regions, of a total coverage area about 400,000 km2. Japanese experts and researchers in collaboration with their Saudi counterparts of the MoWE and its directorates of water unified and exerted all efforts in carrying out necessary investigations, field surveys, researches and set up with JICA funding the required implementation facilities including a research station in Abha and 3 other monitoring stations within the target areas to measure water level and flow velocity. Met in Jazan for Water One week before its final Workshop to announce completion of their Master Plan Study on Water, the 2nd stakeholder meeting on water resources was held in Jazan on 18th of May with the participation of representatives from Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, Makkah and Najran. The Saudi-Japanese study team of the master plan study on the development of renewable water resources in the Kingdom headed the event with the participation of officials from the Ministry of Water and Electricity, directorates of water in the region and JICA Res. Rep. who delivered a speech in Arabic language on this occasion welcoming the attendants and expressing his happiness to meet again with the Saudi stakeholders of the five regions. He further admitted that with their support to the study team and their understanding the study could achieve its desirable results and positively came up with its prospected outputs. In his speech, he pointed out to the importance of mobilizing all efforts to fully utilize the renewable water resources and to protect it from being lost either through evaporation or flow into the sea without proper storage or use. He attracted stakeholders attention as well to the heavy rainfalls that have been occurred in the region recently. The study therefore is strongly needed with its outputs to be applied and implemented in order to explore the proper renewable water resources in the South-West region of the Kingdom, and to put plans and scientific methods and process to face scarcity of water and to ensure the progress of development in the Kingdom for the coming 25 years. Finally, Mr. Tomizawa attracted attention to the seriously need to fully implement the recommendations of the renewable master plan study and any other researches through successful projects that contribute in ensuring the water security to the Kingdom to eternal life. Saudi-Japan 6th Workshop on Renewable Water Resources Development On the 26th of May, 2010 in Riyadh, Ministry of Water and Electricity MOWE in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted the 6th Workshop on their joint Master Plan Study on Renewable Water Resources Development in the Southwest Region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The draft final report of the study is submitted accordingly to the Ministry mentation. Dr. Mohammed Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Water Affairs in the Ministry opened the event with a welcome speech where he expressed thanks to the Japanese government and JICA for extending the necessary technical cooperation to the Study and to Stakholder meeting in Jizan Dr. Al Saud opening 6th. Workshop Saudi-Japanese Official meeting on water study 4

5 its Japanese team of experts who have sincerely cooperated with their Saudi counterparts to successfully fulfill the study and come up with the targeted results. In his turn, JICA Resident Representative delivered his speech where he highlighted the importance of the study to the Kingdom and expressed recognition to the achievements made by the Saudi-Japanese joint team of the Study, who then presented the results and outputs of what they have achieved. The workshop also featured speakers of Japanese professor and expert who have been delegated on a JICA official Mission and arrived in Riyadh to deliver lectures in the workshop on water topics and technologies of water resources and management. Before closing, an open discussion between experts of the study team and the JICA mission members and the attendants was conducted to reach the maximum results possible of the study with their constructive comments and opinions. Red Sea Water Lifeline Project for Renewable Water Resources Development Main resources for drinking water in Saudi Arabia are desalinated seawater and renewable water resources which include surface runoff water and shallow groundwater, and fossil water. Groundwater is used for agricultural and industrial use, while reclaimed wastewater is used for fruit farming, tree planting and cooling. To inhibit the excessive water intake, the Government of Saudi Arabia encouraged farmers to switch their crops to less water consuming crops such as fruits, vegetables, etc. Because of the excessive use of ground water in Jizan Region, groundwater level has dropped down to below sea level, which is causing severe problem of seawater intrusion to groundwater. To safeguard water resources, the Study Team first organized Stakeholder Meetings in 3 regions of the study area where they carried out interviews about water-related issues and problems and exchanged views on the Master Plan. In the meantime, the study team Along the 3 years of study researches stated that the development of renewable water resource itself in Saudi Arabia can be done at low cost. However, unlike factory-produced desalinated seawater, appropriate management and operation of dams and reservoirs is required to properly control the reservoir level and outflow rate. Therefore, the Study Team proposed the Red Sea Water Lifeline Project wherein an organization (water resource company) to manage renewable water resource shall be adopted and developed, and each independent water resource shall be connected by pipelines to share water resources. Good Relationship with Saudi Counterparts During their stay in Saudi Arabia, MoWE used to have the Japanese study team members on banquets and Saudi style meals. Because of the Saudi customs and traditions Saudis are always generous with visitors and guests. MoWE Saudi counterparts and officials were always welcoming the Japanese experts; introducing their culture and making them feel at home. Strange culture for Japanese and quite new for them to be adjusted to, but by time they got accustomed and used to it and began to enjoy together with the Saudi colleagues. Saudi Counterparts Received in Japan for Training In Japan, JICA Tokyo International Center and Yachiyo Engineering Co. Ltd. head office invited 20 Saudi counterparts of the study in 2 batches for two training programs in 2008 and Beside training lectures, JICA and Yachiyo Co. arranged observation study visits to the trainees over many places near the Japan s major rivers including Katsura River in Kyoto, Yodo River in Osaka, Kizu River in Mie region and Oku-Nikko region and upstream part of Tone River. Trainees showed a great interest in Japan s river administration, GIS, remote sensing, management and operation of water resource facilities such as dams and water transmission facilities. At each site visited, they learned Japanese scientific technology, culture and custom and had fruitful discussions. Commitment of Japan Towards Water Resources Development in Saudi Arabia After completion of the study, JICA intends to start a relevant feasibility study to the Kingdom when possible. However, since Saudi Arabia has been graduated from the ODA, JICA s fully covered ODA to the Kingdom has to be stopped at the end of December The targeted feasibility study will not be then conducted as a JICA Study but as a public works of MoWE, where Yachiyo Engineering Co. will be registered to MoWE as a private contractor to bid for a relevant contract through an open tender. Yachiyo wishes to continue cooperation with MoWE to sustain the achievements of the Saudi-Japanese water master study and to fulfill Japan s commitments to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi counterparts of MOWE in Japan for training Dr. Al Saud signing M/M. on water M/P study with Mr. Nagata and Mr. Watanabe Japanese experts with their Saudi counterparts on technical discussion 5

6 COMPLETED PROJECT... WORK WITH JAPANESE IS A DREAM Saudi-Japanese Cooperation on Energy Conservation Fulfilled Saudi & Japanese top officials in signing ceremony of new Agreement Sauid and Japanese officials of energy conservation on Energy Conservation Since February 2009, Mr. Jun Hagihara and Mr. Shigeo Aoki, the Japanese short-term experts on energy conservation to the Kingdom, under the Japanese government s technical assistance of JICA have been carrying out the follow-up technical cooperation for the results and recommendations of the completed Saudi-Japanese Master Plan Study (M/P.) on Energy Conservation. In addition to this technical assistance, the Ministry of Water and Electricity (MoWE) entered into a consultancy service contract (Stage-1) on September 2009 with Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to implement the M/P in wider area and to put it in practice. The signing ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Eng. Abdullah Al-Hussayen, Minister of Water and Electricity, Dr. Saleh Al-Awaji, Deputy Minister for Electricity Affairs, H.E. Mr. Shigeru Endo, Ambassador of Japan in the Kingdom and Mr. Susumu Shirakawa, Executive Vice President of TEPCO. Minister Al-Hussayen expressed his appreciation to Japanese support while Mr. Shirakawa promised TEPCO s dedication to fulfill the consultancy contract to the Saudi side s expectation. In coordination between JICA, TEPCO Experts and Saudi Engineers of the National Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) 6 measures have been implemented i.e. Energy Management System, Training Program for Energy Managers, Labeling System, Award System, Energy Audit Scheme and Load Management. JICA and TEPCO projects have been completed successfully achieving great results such as draft of EC law, proposal of Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) and Training of Trainer (TOT) for Energy Conservation by Energy Conservation Center, Japan (ECCJ). Saudi Specialists on Energy in Japan for Counterparts training 6

7 Saudi and Japanese have been working closely together in the same office where the Saudi specialists have been very much stimulated to development. This arrangement was designed by Dr. Saleh Alawaji, Deputy Minister for Electricity of MoWE and become as a key factor of success. Dr. Yousef Alyousef, Executive Director of NEEP, and his staffs have been working very well with Japanese experts overcoming any cultural gap between them. On completion of cooperation for this Program, NEEP staffs presented JICA and its experts the below words and messages of appreciation. Official meeting between Saudi and Japanese stydy team on energy Conservation Eng. Salman Al-Enezi We worked with Japanese experts to develop energy conservation measures in Saudi Arabia through the master plan prepared by MOWE/JICA. During stage 1 of this project, we got more information and skills related to energy conservation and quality management. So, at the end of Stage-1 we thank JICA and TEPCO experts on all that and we hope to see them soon in stage 2. Eng. Abdullah S. AlThubaiti Japan is a leading country in the field of energy conservation. I could say that working with a group of Japanese experts of TEPCO has given me a very good experience. Although the period we spent with them wasn t quite enough to get a huge knowledge on the promotion of energy conservation in Saudi Arabia, we have gained a lot through this cooperation. I experienced and gained effectively the Japanese management system, effective survey, making procedures, planning and project follow-up. On the other hand, I would like to say that the method of transferring Japanese technology on energy conservation was not enough, as I suggest therefore, much longer study would be needed for technology transfer in the second stage. Finally, I would really express my appreciation to JICA s assistance in promotion of energy conservation in Saudi Arabia and wish to continue our cooperation to achieve our common goals. Eng. Akram Ali Al-Fawaz I am very glad to have this chance to work with Japanese experts. I worked around 10 months for this project but it seems to be only 10 minutes. Time moved very fast, but I learned too many things from the Japanese experts. I feel sad because we will have some months until next collaboration in Stage-2. Finally thank you JICA, TEPCO and ECCJ. Eng. Mohammed A. Hassan Since I was a child, I had a desire to work closely with Japanese. I heard a lot about their cleverness, intelligence, and advancement. I was wondering why Japanese products were found in every house in Egypt or Arab world. After I had worked with them for many years, I discovered that Japan deserves this dignity as a state. Japanese experts were always supportive to us, they providing us any information we need, helping in preparation of any paper and presentations. They never say no when we ask them any support or information but replying in a few seconds. We have learnt a lot from them; how to manage our time, how to perform our duties in time, how to prepare a good plan for our tasks, etc. We would like to say thank you very much to all Japanese, but we have to say a special thanks to Mr. Hagihara for all efforts he has exerted to our Saudi team for more than four years. He has helped us during the preparation and implementation stages. We hope that he continues with us during the second stage. Lastly, we would like to thank JICA for its cooperation with the MoWE and NEEP. We would like to thank TEPCO for conducting the first stage of the implementation of the Master Plan, and we hope to continue the second stage with the same interest. 7

8 Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation for saudization... H.E. Dr. Ali Al Ghafis, Governor of TVTC and the Chairman of the Higher Institute for Plastic Fabrication (HIPF) patronized on 21 March 2010 the graduation ceremony of 3 batches of 232 Saudi HIPF trainees. The big event was held in HIPF premises in Riyadh with the participation of top officials from both the Saudi and the Japanese sides and representatives from the national plastic fabrication factories and parents of HIPF graduates. Al Ghafis Patronizes HIPF Graduation Ceremony in Riyadh 232 SAUDI YOUTHS JOINED THE SAUDI MARKET FOR PLASTIC FABRICATION The HIPF was launched in September 2007 as a non-profitable technical educational institution to generate Saudi youths in plastic fabrication to the industrial market of the Kingdom. It has been established under collaboration between Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Japan to promote the Saudization trend adopted by the Saudi government, aiming to replace foreign workers in the Kingdom with professional Saudi nationals of the Saudi citizens. As soon as they are graduated, the national plastic manufacturing factories opened doors for the Saudi trainees of HIPF to take their places in their factories in the Kingdom as professional technicians where to play their expected role in improving plastic fabrication industry in the Kingdom with fine skills and high level of technical education they got during their training. All national plastic fabrication factories in the Kingdom are today waiting to receive more HIPF Saudi graduates to join their production line of plastic industry thus adding more skills and professional works to their technical operations and industry. It is true that the perfect and wise planning of the Saudi government could lead to the successful efforts for promotion of Saudization and the development of the Saudi human resources in the various field and aspects. Commemorative Photo Dr. Al-Ghafis with Saudi high officials and HIPF graduates Saudi & Japanese officials in HIPF Graduation Ceremony HIPF Graduates with JICA officials and experts 8

9 HIPF a Model Educational Institution for HR Development Dr. Khaled Al Ghefaily HIPF Executive Director Higher Institute for Plastics Fabrication is the first specialized institute to serve the plastics industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It represents a concrete evidence of the bilateral cooperation between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Japan. It is to be considered as a successful model of cooperation between these two countries. Japan being the Kingdom s second largest trading partner and investor in Saudi Arabia HIPF has been considered as another proof of this successful cooperation. Japan as a matter of fact, has unlimited areas of expertise that are very helpful in the development of the Kingdom. Japanese Technical Experts (JE) from SPDC Ltd., lead by Mr. Ryushiro Takeshita, are working in HIPF with their best efforts and experiences. Starting from the machines installation stage, JEs were there to execute their responsibilities that mark the success for the establishment of HIPF. This educational institution could gain the good image with the continuous participation of the Japanese Experts. They are assigned in their respective fields to look over the actual training and work flow in their departments. On the other hand, JICA is in cooperation as well with HIPF by providing consultancies in terms of management and outreach aspects. The outreach advisor, Mr. Mitsuyuki Nakayamada, performed two types of surveys for plastic manufacturers to seek their opinion about the quality of HIPF graduates. In the meantime, Mr. Haruo Wada, the management advisor serves as the consultant to HIPF and he is in charge of the implementation of Kaizen program. He authored the suggestion schemes, supervised the creation of HIPF KPIs, and the revision of HIPF organizational chart. Another role played by JICA is introducing Japan s system to the Saudi management of HIPF through the arrangement of visits to some of the pioneering industries and some of the institutions in Japan. HIPF hopes that the Saudi-Japan cooperation will continue in the future. HIPF hopes that the Japan government will give our graduates a chance to continue their higher studies at top notch universities in Japan. Finally, HIPF also hopes to cooperate with the Japan s Licensing System for Plastics Machines Operators. Young Saudi May Lead to Economical Predominance near Future Mr. Haruo Wada JICA Expert & Management Adviser for HIPF Higher Institute for Plastics Fabrication was established in 2007 as a non-profitable institute to train Saudi youths as skilled technicians in through which contributes for satisfying Saudization for the booming plastics industry of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. HIPF accepts more than 600 Saudi trainees who spend two years at 4 Semesters study then join the plastics industry in the Kingdom after graduation. During their study period, HIPF trainees receive classroom lectures and practical hands-on training in English language. A Japanese technical advisory team is giving advice to the HIPF senior and junior instructors and to the management. Separated from the team, I am attached to HIPF as a management adviser under the JICA s technical cooperation scheme. I have worked long on Institution Building mainly in European, Asian and South American countries. I was assigned at HIPF to give advice and guidance for further development of managerial aspects of the institute. My role here is to give advice on issues related to the institute management to Dr. Khaled Al-Ghefaili the HIPF Executive Director. I came to Saudi Arabia in April last year where I took over my work assignment from careful observation of the institute s overall operation. Three months later, the first batch of HIPF graduates went out into the plastics industry market. The institute has been operating very well, whereas training has been conducted smoothly by senior and junior instructors under the advice of Japanese technical advisers, besides excellent teaching of the general subjects such as Mathematics, IT, Chemistry, Work Ethics by respective teachers it seemed that there was nothing I could advice. However, as it is the case for everything, there is always a room for kaizening, and I tried to find out some points for further improvements. So, for making the whole activity of the HIPF more active, I have recommended The Suggestion Scheme after a careful observation of all operations and functions of HIPF. A series of discussions with executive director in July and August 2009 made me draft the scheme to meet with the situation of the institute and recommended to initiate the scheme for more-activating of the institute operation. In September 2009, the scheme was kicked-off. There are a lot of suggestions every month and some of them have been rewarded as good suggestions to be implemented. For Saudization, the human resources development is absolutely necessary, particularly education and training of the youth to be enrolled into industries with qualified knowledge and skills. HIPF has been contributing greatly for the development of localization of the workforce in the plastics industry of KSA. Having seen more than 35 economies of the world, I can say none of them is an easy one. But this country has an overwhelming advantage with the natural resources and the young human resources, which may lead to the economical predominance internationally in the near future. 9

10 EVENTS & HIGHLIGHTS IN BRIEF... 5 th of January 2010, Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom held a reception party at Ambassador s residence in Riyadh to present Dr. Ali Al-Ghafis, Governor of Technical and Vocational Training Corporation the JICA Presidential Award for On this occasion, Ambassador Shigeru Endo presented a speech expressing thanks and appreciation to Dr. Al-Ghafis for his remarkable contribution to the Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation then presented him. The JICA Presidential Award. The event was attended by prominent Saudi and Japanese officials who came to share the award celebration of Dr. Al-Ghafis. 21 st of March 2010, Saudi and Japanese top officials witnessed the graduation ceremony of 3 batches of Saudi trainees from the Higher Institute for Plastics Fabrication in Riyadh. The event was patronized by Dr. Ali Al Ghafis the governor of TVTC who gave a speech on this occasion. Saudi high rank and prominent officials and Japanese diplomats and officials headed by Mr. Fumio Iwai the Minister of Japan in the Kingdom participated celebration of the big event of graduation. 18 th of May 2010, the 2 nd Stakeholder meeting on water resources was held in Jazan with the participation of H.E. Dr. Abullah Suwaied, Deputy Governor of Jizan Region, directorates of water officials and stockholders representatives of Jazan, Asir, Al Baha, Makkah and Najran. The Saudi-Japanese study team of the master plan study on the development of renewable water resources in the Kingdom headed the one day meeting, which was held to report about the achieved results of the study as well as to exchange views and give comments on its final draft in order to properly compile and submit it as final to the Saudi authorities for implementation. 26 th of May 2010, the 6 th Workshop on the Saudi-Japanese Master Plan Study on Renewable Water Resources Development in the Southwest Region in KSA was held in Riyadh to announce completion of the final phase of the study and to discuss its results, recommendations and future expectations on the development of water resources in the Kingdom. Dr. Al Saud, Deputy Minister of Water Affairs in the Ministry of Water and Electricity opened the workshop with a welcome speech followed by Mr. Tomizawa JICA RR who declared the completion of the final phase of the Study and compilation of its draft final report, which is planned to be presented as final to the Ministry in October

11 22 nd of June 2010, H.E. Mr. Shigeru Endo, Ambassador of Japan in the Kingdom witnessed the 7 th batch graduation ceremony of the Saudi- Japanese Automobile High Institute in Jeddah (SJAHI). 230 specialists in car mechanics and maintenance graduated this year from SJAHI to join directly the Saudi market of car maintenance. Saudi and Japanese officials from public and private sectors of car dealers participated in the event to celebrate the Saudi graduates who will be combined into the previously SJAHI graduated 6 batches of hundreds of Saudi youths who are now taking their proper positions in the Saudi car maintenance companies and car dealers workshops and other related industries in the Kingdom. 27th Aug. 2010, Mr. Junichi YAMADA, Dir. Gen. of the ME & Europe Dept. of JICA arrived in Riyadh for a 3-day visit to the Kingdom. During his visit, he could have discussions with several top officials of the Saudi authorities concerned on JICA new scheme for the sustainability of the Saudi-Japanese technical cooperation on a cost-sharing basis and other issues of mutual interest. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF... Ihab Al SHARKAWI Senior Manager Program & Executive Affairs When we launched the publication of JICA Newsletter we intended to make it serves as a window for JICA ex-participants and friends, relevant officials and friends of Japan where they could look through over our operations and activities in the Kingdom, but more than that to become as a bridge to strengthen friendship between the Saudi and the Japanese citizens through unifying their points of view and creating a spirit of mutual understanding in all about the two peoples concern. Over the past 35 years, we have exerted efforts to offer our readers and friends all their concerns about our news in the Kingdom. These have been included miscellaneous on training and Saudi trainees life in Japan, bits of news on our Japanese experts who have been delegated by the Japanese government and JICA to the Kingdom for some official assignments and tasks to transfer their experiences to the Saudi counterparts, thus contribute to the development of human resources in the Kingdom. This is in addition to the several Saudi - Japanese joint development projects and research studies that have contributed to the development of several sectors in the Kingdom. Now, with the completion of our office Japanese ODA operations to the Kingdom we regret to stop the issuance of JICA Newsletter as this will be our last issue. It is therefore the moment to take this opportunity and the honor to introduce myself to our readers as the editor-in-chief of JICA Newsletter. Over its previous issues I with the help of my colleagues have been working behind the scene; editing and designing it in Arabic and English languages, go all-out to cover some of the incidents depicted for some events and visits by the JICA study teams of Japanese researchers and experts to the Kingdom, inserting photographs of some of Saudi trainees in Japan and presenting some of their letters we have received after their return from Japan, this is in addition to the modest coverage of some other news stories and extracts. I have always wished to have our readers appreciate our Newsletter and to achieve its goals in the construction of the bridge of communication, which we have endeavored to share in setting it up. Last but not least, I hope we have succeeded with our Newsletter along the past years to realize our target for constructing one of the bridges between Saudi Arabia and Japan, and I hope that our bridge would be sustained in achieving its objectives and mission of continuous co-understanding and communication between the Saudi and the Japanese citizens and to extend its impacts through other channels of permanent and constructive cooperation thus achieving peoples welfare and development. I also wish to see another new issue of a Saudi-Japanese joint bulletin which leads to further communication and unified Saudi-Japanese teamwork for the development of peoples and building a better future for all. Japan»جايكا«International للتعاون الدولي Cooperation الوكالة اليابانية Agency 11

12 JICA ARCHIVE PHOTO BULLETIN TQC G»ف øe IQƒصüŸG ɵjÉL Iô ûf لقطات لبعض المناسبات والفعاليات الرسمية بالمملكة Official Events of JICA Office in KSA 12

13 JICA ARCHIVE PHOTO BULLETIN TQC G»ف øe IQƒصüŸG ɵjÉL Iô ûf بعض اللقطات لحياة الخبراء اليابانيين في المملكة Life of Japanese Experts in KSA Japan»جايكا«International للتعاون الدولي Cooperation الوكالة اليابانية Agency 13