This was discussed during a meeting between Vadim Codreanu, director of Moldova's Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA), and Kazuyuki Takeuchi, Japan's ambassador to our country. The meeting provided an opportunity to assess the results of the cooperation carried out by the ODA with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well as to exchange views on areas where Japanese experience and expertise can further contribute to the development of a more productive and competitive SME sector in Moldova. The partnership with JICA, which began in 2011, has, over time, contributed to the development of advisory services for Moldovan SMEs, the strengthening of institutional and regional capacity to support entrepreneurs, and the transfer of Japanese expertise in management, efficiency, and productivity. At this stage, the cooperation is focused on the implementation and application of Kaizen/Lean methodologies, which are based on the continuous improvement of processes within enterprises. To this end, a Kaizen Support Service has been established, and training is being provided for facilitators who will be able to assist companies in identifying and implementing solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency. In the near future, the application of the Kaizen methodology will move from the training phase to practical implementation at enterprises. Eight small and medium-sized enterprises from six regions of Moldova will benefit from the practical application of Kaizen tools, which will enable companies to identify solutions tailored to their own processes to increase productivity, improve quality, and optimize operations. "The experience we've gained over 15 years of cooperation provides us with a solid foundation for transitioning from knowledge transfer to its increasingly widespread application within companies. It is important for ODA that leading international best practices translate into measurable results for entrepreneurs, ensuring more efficient processes, better cost management, more competitive products and services, and better preparation of businesses for growth and entry into new markets," Vadim Codreanu emphasized. During the discussions, the parties highly praised the results of the partnership built over the years, and reaffirmed their interest in continuing the dialogue and identifying new opportunities for cooperation, building on the experience already gained and the current needs of Moldova's business community. ODA notes that it aims to continue leveraging the expertise and best practices developed jointly with Japanese partners so that modern management tools, productivity enhancement, and continuous improvement can be increasingly integrated into the support services offered to small and medium-sized enterprises. // 09.09.2026 — InfoMarket.