ISLAMABAD, Nov 02, (INP-WealthPK): The National Productivity Organization (NPO) of Pakistan has submitted a proposal to be accredited as a Certification Body (CB) under Japan’s Asian Productivity Organization (APO) to improve the competitiveness of Pakistani companies and products abroad.
The NPO after getting the approval of APO-Japan will be authorized to give Certifications to Certified Productivity Specialists, according to a press release received by WealthPK. It will be able to drive productivity growth and sustainable development in the country after getting the accreditation from APO-Japan.
The proposal for accreditation has already been submitted and the approval process will be completed before the end of this year. To increase the chances of approval the NPO has arranged an international conference on productivity accreditation and certification here in Pakistan. APO is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding in its eight member countries, which include Pakistan.
The NPO has been improving its profile for getting the accreditation through initiatives in areas like human capital development, systems development, energy efficiency, and benchmarking. These initiatives are directed at increasing the national capacity in productivity and competitiveness.
First of these initiatives, National Productivity Master Plan (NPMP) is aimed to improve the productivity of Pakistani labor and industry so that Pakistan can fare well in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). Productivity growth is a hallmark of developing economies and its importance increases in the context of sustainability and circular economy.
The Master Plan is developed by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) and the Korean Development Institute (KDI) at the special request of NPO Pakistan.
Three areas have been outlined in the NPMP by KDI for enhancing productivity. They are Vibrant Industrial Innovation, Up-gradation of Infrastructure, and Better Public Governance. Working on these areas will help Pakistan in doubling its industrial productivity.
The NPO will also arrange an Interim Review Workshop to get feedback on steps taken and results obtained. KDI will update the NPMP after reviewing the results and will present the final version of the plan in November.
Export oriented productivity growth will be pursued in a concerted Productivity Movement under a PSDP-funded (Public Sector Development Program) project. Many east Asian countries like Singapore, South Korea, and Malaysia benefited from productivity movements in a span of a single generation. NPO will be creating awareness to this end through seminars, conferences and press briefings.
APO also provides Technical Expert Services (TES) to NPOs and related organizations to strengthen their institutional capacities and upgrade their technical competencies in line with individual APO members’ needs for productivity improvement. In this regard, programs have been implemented in Pakistan over the last three years.
Under the Development of Demo Companies, APO in collaboration with the NPO has developed model organizations that showcased good practices of productivity improvement with support of technical experts and the commitment of target organizations. The recent Demo Projects being implemented by NPO Pakistan included ISO 14000 and Chemical Management by a Canadian Expert and Micro Hydro-Power Turbine Manufacturing by a Japanese Expert.
The NPO has also won the project of Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) through a process of competitive bidding. PSIC will work for productivity improvement in four selected areas i.e. auto parts, readymade garments, leather footwear, and surgical cluster. The project will focus on Labor Productivity and the implementation of a Lean manufacturing system to reduce wastage.
The NPO will also establish a Center of Excellence on Digital Learning for Enhancing Productivity in Higher Education. It has also included study missions titled “Best Practices of Vietnam in Master Plan Development” and “Smart and Sustainable” cities by a Korean expert in its Master Plan.
Another initiative to this effect is the PSDP project on Promoting and Developing the Cottage Industry of Gilgit-Baltistan developed by the Planning Commission on a five-year plan basis. The major sectors in the program include infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, health, education, higher education, energy, gems, and precious stones. The NPO has developed the PC-I of the project on the directions of the Planning Commission, which was approved. Work on the project will start after the release of funds.
