JMF injects new life into future outlook by embracing Tamkeen's QMS opportunity

The medical supplies manufacturer is one of the SMEs to seize the opportunity offered by Tamkeen to upgrade systems and acquire internationally-recognised quality certification under the QMS initiative launched in June this year.

Tamkeen's QMS initiative is aimed at enabling SMEs in the Kingdom to gain much-needed international quality management certification. It comes under Tamkeen's Enterprise Development Support (EDS) programme and offers access to top-of-line consultancy services to enable SMEs to make the quality transition.

At a media tour of the JMF premises yesterday, Managing Director Mr. Mohammed Khalil praised the support of Tamkeen in enabling Bahraini SMEs to reach for the sky.

"JMF's first round ISO 9001 certification itself has opened new doors for the company - we have successfully re-branded our organisation and the assurance of quality has led to new business opportunities in Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," he said, "Other immediate benefits include well-defined safety regulations for staff, effective and efficient control over the operation system and productivity increase."

The QMS effort with JMF is powered by consultation services of Bahrain-based Jaffari Consultants (JAFCON), which provides comprehensive consultancy world-wide including all types of quality management systems and productivity improvement services. JAFCON is one of the major service providers for the QMS scheme, as well as, the other Enterprise Development Programmes of Tamkeen (Labour Fund).

Mr. Khalil added:

"The support of Tamkeen has played an important role in enabling us to infuse quality into our systems. The QMS programme is a vital key to SMEs in entering a higher growth trajectory and with the help of experienced consultants like Dr. Akbar Jaffari of Jaffari Consultants we have taken this bold first step and succeeded."

Tamkeen's Chief Executive Mr. Abdulellah Ebrahim Al Qassimi, "By involving consultants like Jaffari Consultants, Tamkeen is seeking to re-interpret international standards to meet local needs and still achieve the highest quality. This is a very good indication for the future of SMEs in Bahrain as the Kingdom prepares for the impact of the US FTA and an increasingly global world."

The primary goal of the Tamkeen's quality management scheme is to raise the standard of corporate productivity and performance and enhance its competitiveness in the markets. QMS is expected to enhance the productivity of SMEs to enable them to develop and grow while providing high quality jobs to Bahrainis through providing access to world class consultation and training for upgrading business information systems, technology inputs and business growth and development.

Through the Quality Management Scheme (QMS), Tamkeen will provide a grant up to 60% of the total fees which includes consultancy services, pre-assessment audit and certification fees for two years. The co financing programme offers small businesses a maximum of BD10,000 and for medium-sized businesses, a maximum of BD15,000 in support.

"We want to show that international certificates such as the ISO and OHSAS are not mere labels but actually help companies to improve performance, profitability and win international acceptability," commented consultant Dr. Akbar Jaffari, adding that the QMS programme will aid in validating and recalibrating a quality management business model, and provide a road map for the full implementation phase for SMEs.

Tamkeen's final goal is to expand the main project to include 150 SMEs in the process, thereby helping to raise quality standards across the board for Bahraini SMEs.

"Quality is the main differentiator between good and poor practices and products, SMEs which are run by passionate entrepreneurs, are short of the required international certification that will give them the winning edge in the marketplace," observed Abdulellah Al Qassimi, "Through the quality management scheme, we hope to empower the SMEs with yet another instrument to add value to their business and make them more competitive in the region and internationally."