JAMA to extend auto-parts training

JAKARTA: The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc. (JAMA) is to extend its technical assistance to the auto-parts industry in Southeast Asia.

"We have received a request from the Indonesian government for JAMA to extend our auto-parts training program," JAMA head for Southeast Asia Hiroyuki Nakamura told reporters on Thursday. "We will start the program again in October this year."

JAMA has sent auto-parts experts to small and medium-sized auto parts companies supplying Japan's automakers in Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia from August 2001 until the end of this month.

Nakamura said that the objective of the training was to push technology transfer in the auto parts industry, thereby strengthening the automotive industry.

In Indonesia, the program has been conducted in 25 companies with 16 experts training engineers.

Nakamura hoped the government would also appoint some Indonesian engineers to assist in the program to make the technology transfer faster. -JP