Asean members make strides towards greater productivity

VIENTIANE — The 60th session of the Asian Productivity Organization’s (APO) Governing Body in Laos opened on Tuesday with its directors and advisors discussing progress and achievements in productivity.

The opening ceremony was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr Somchith Inthamith.

The APO Director for Laos, Mr Somdy Inmyxai, the APO Chair and APO Director for Singapore, Ms Chew Mok Lee, and the APO Secretary General, Dr Santhi Kanoktanaporn, were also present.

Since Laos became a member of the organization in 2002, the country has demonstrated its strong commitment to the work of the organization.

Laos has received continued support and assistance from the APO in its efforts aimed at productivity improvement in more than a decade, said Mr Somdy.

This support includes assisting a number of Lao enterprises, particularly small and medium enterprises, to successfully apply productivity enhancement tools, techniques and international standards through participation in demonstration projects, seminars and training programmes.

Mr Somdy said he was confident that with the active participation and contribution of all APO directors and advisors, with fresh and innovative ideas, the 60th Session of the APO Governing Body would be crowned with success, laying a firm foundation for the further success of the body.

Promoting productivity, technology and innovation has been identified among priority policy areas to support the productive capacity and competitiveness of micro, small and medium enterprises in Laos, he added.

The government attaches great importance to productivity improvement in all spheres of development as a means to accelerate economic growth, poverty reduction and improved well-being of the people.

Productivity improvement has been mainstreamed into government development policies and strategies.

Since its inception in 1961, the APO has made valuable and significant contributions to socio-economic development in the Asia-Pacific region, said Ms Lee.

“We are also aware that economic growth can only be sustained through higher productivity and greater innovation, and it remains fundamental to the prosperity of all member countries,” she said.

She hoped the APO would continue to grow and achieve its vision to be the leading international organisation for productivity enhancement, enabling APO economies to be more productive and competitive by 2020.

The meeting will be called on to approve the Financial Report for 2017 and the APO Preliminary Budget for 2019-2020, as well as to endorse the report on the performance of the APO Centres of Excellence, Ms Lee said.

Over the years, the APO has been able to resolve issues by agreement and consensus among all members through its strong spirit of mutual cooperation.

“We are also here to look ahead and share with fellow members the directions that our countries are taking to advance our economies and improve overall productivity,” said Ms Lee.