The SME Foundation has assisted 62 organisations and around 400 entrepreneurs to implement the ‘Kaizen’ programme to improve their productivity and product quality.
The state-run organisation has also created awareness among some 1,200 entrepreneurs under the programme.
SME Foundation chairperson Dr Md Masudur Rahman made the disclosure at an event in the capital on Monday. Certificates were awarded to the SMEs which completed the ‘Kaizen Small Development project’ in the fiscal year 2022-23 and inaugurated ‘Kaizen in SMEs’ programme for the fiscal year 2023-24.
The ‘Kaizen in SMEs’ programme includes awareness development activities, development of trainers, organisation selection and confirmation, productivity monitoring, formulation of Kaizen pilot project, skills development training, project implementation and monitoring, preparation of final report, and incentive activities.
“The SME Foundation will discuss issues with the Competition Commission to ensure equal opportunities for large entrepreneurs as well as SME entrepreneurs in accessing services of public and private institutions,” Masudur Rahman said.
He also stated that along with this, assistance will be sought from Bangladesh Bank to resolve the crisis in opening letters of credit (LCs) by SME entrepreneurs.
There is no alternative but to improve competitiveness by developing product quality and increasing overall productivity. Kaizen is a universal technique for improving productivity. It is a practice that focuses on continuous improvement of any activity at zero cost, he added.
He pointed out that Kaizen can be followed in all fields, including industry, commerce, banking, healthcare, administration, and daily life. It is possible to increase productivity, improve working environment and prevent wastage through the implementation of the Kaizen programme.
SME Foundation’s Managing Director Dr Md Mafizur Rahman presided over the function. National Productivity Organisation (NPO) Director General Muhammad Mesbahul Alam also spoke at the programme.
Many entrepreneurs and representatives from different industries, including agriculture and food processing, light engineering, plastic, leather, electrical and electronics, ready-made garments and handicrafts, and jute products were present at the event.
