Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : National Productivity Organization (NPO) is working under the Ministry of Industries & Production, Government of Pakistan as Liaison Office of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO), Japan. One of the NPO’s key developmental initiative is “Improving Competitiveness through Sustainable National Productivity (SNP)”- launching first productivity movement in Pakistan. It is a PSDP funded project with an objective to achieve competitiveness through sustainable national productivity. Moreover, under Planning Commission’s Strategic initiative of “Turn Around Pakistan”, Among 7 Pillars of Turn around Pakistan, the pillar VI namely as “Improving National Competitiveness” has been assigned to NPO. It is aimed at “Improving Competitiveness through Enhanced Productivity, Innovation and Quality for Export led Growth”.
NPO is also working as the member of Planning Commission’s Working Group on “Reforming Policy Incentives for the Industrial Sectors” for preparation of “Three Year Rolling Growth Strategy (3YRGS) Agenda for Economic Diversification, Transformation and jobs-led Growth” comprises of the “Formulation of National Program on Targeted Productivity Enhancement”, “Productivity Measurement System”, and “Corresponding Productivity Based Incentives to Various Segments of the Pakistan Economy”.
To further elaborate the SNP project, keeping in view the international benchmarks and practices it has following four stages. (i) Awareness stage (ii) product identification, design and development stage (iii) implementation stage(iv) continuous improvement stage.
The project is in progress now a days at first stage of awareness phase. The objective of the awareness stage is to create widespread awareness of productivity and its benefits among companies and the workforce. The main focus is to demonstrate the competitive edge by gaining higher productivity. It may be achieved by fostering positive attitudes by promoting productivity through teamwork and recognition for companies and individuals. Various activities are planned for greater impact of awareness stage.
Key activities of awareness phase / stage of Improving Competitiveness through Sustainable National Productivity (SNP)”- include activities such as Launch of Productivity Movement, Engagement of National/International Experts through APO Assistance, Productivity Portal, Productivity (Curriculum and Booklets) for Schools & Industry, National/ International Conference, Documentaries, Productivity (News Letter and Journal), Awareness Sessions, Seminars, and Trainings on Productivity Tools & Techniques, Online Courses, Print & Social Media Campaigns, Productivity Competitions (Poster, Article, Debate), Productivity Walk and day/weeks Celebration etc.
In year 2021-2022, In order to increase awareness among all stake holders, among category of general awareness 4021 individuals have been educated and been given awareness about the I concept of productivity. 1284 students of schools and technical institutes haven been imparted education focusing on productivity concept through various sessions spreading all over the Pakistan. with a focused targeted audience of industrial workers, 217 industrial workers have been trained through renowned productivity experts on productivity tools and techniques and good practices. it is aimed at to spread awareness among 10,000 peoples, industrial training to 400 workers and educate 3000 students of technical schools and colleges on productivity concept.
Moreover, various productivity awareness tools are being used to spread awareness to inculcate the culture of productivity. SNP has developed an online portal which is live now and is a knowledge hub to get awareness and support on the matters of productivity. under this project, productivity week was celebrated. during this productivity week, walks in major cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Multan) were conducted to promote the message, these walks were coupled with awareness sessions by renowned national productivity experts. Different productivity competition (poster, debate and article) was held. Debate and poster competition were held in NED university, UET Lahore, IBA sukkar, University of Swabi and MNS university of agriculture Multan. whereas an article/ idea suggestion generation competition was organized at national level and best article finalization is under review by the panel of experts.
Two booklets on productivity for industry and schools have been developed and are in printing phase where as two curriculums have been developed / adopted and been reviewed by international productivity experts are also in printing and dissemination phase.
A productivity journal in collaboration with APO is in designing phase and the research work by Pakistani experts in the fields of productivity would be showcased in it
With a year full of productivity awareness activities, it is believed that with same enthusiasm support and synergy the SNP would continue its journey in current years to propel the next stages of the project
In its 2nd phase SNP would be dovetailed with National Productivity Master Plan which is being developed with the help of APO and Korean development institute. This would lead to National Program on Targeted Productivity Enhancement including Productivity Measurement System & Productivity Based Incentives for various segments of Pakistan Economy
In this regards NPO has organized “Press Briefing on the Role / Importance and updates on 1st Productivity Movement of Pakistan (Awareness Phase), A way to Unlocking Economic Potential through Productivity and Competitiveness” in Islamabad Hotel.
CEO NPO, Mr. Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry has briefed the Role and Importance of Productivity Movement of Pakistan. CEO also presents the SNP progress updates and achievements for the financial year 2021-2022 to the journalist and print media professionals.
CEO NPO, Mr. Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry said that in this modern era of globalization, many developed countries are moving towards Knowledge Based Economies (KBE) taking competitive edge by rapid improving their competitiveness and innovation capabilities through enabling environment for technological investment, human resource development, and business regulations covering good processes, procedures and systems.
CEO, NPO also said that Pakistan is also recognized globally as a high potential economy but unfortunately in past many years, the country has not been able to utilize its potential and gain competitive advantage in global and regional market. The major reasons behind country’s slow growth rates of output are lack of innovation, low level of investment, technological inefficiencies and limited R&D resulting in lower productivity and non-competitiveness. These competitive weaknesses highlighted in Global Competitiveness index 2019-World Economic Forum as Pakistan ranks 110 out of 141 countries due to low labor market efficiency (120), technology adoption (131), and higher education & training (125).
CEO NPO, also shared that the Government of Pakistan is very much committed towards improving the economic landscape of Pakistan through focusing sustainable development approaches of increasing business competitiveness, investment facilitation, value addition, export promotion and import substitution. To augment this commitment of Government of Pakistan, and initiative taken in this regard, the role of key stakeholders i.e., Industry, Academia and Employers Federation is very important to make initiatives taken by the NPO under PSDP project SNP success for the achievement of the desired target both on National and International level.
After briefing by CEO NPO, the questions from the panel of journalists and print media professionals were answered.
At the end Vote of Thanks was given by CEO NPO to all audience for their support. CEO also highlighted that this is the era of media therefore, the role of media professional is very important and can plays pivotal role in spreading the message of productivity massively not only at National level but also at international level which will support in inculcating the productivity culture in Pakistan. He emphasized on joining hands to make Pakistan globally competitive so as we can grab our share from the international market.