Speakers at a workshop here termed modern technology, research and skilled workers vital for increasing economic productivity, WealthPK reports. The workshop was orgnaised by the National Productivity Organisation (NPO) in collaboration with Asian Productivity Organisation (APO), Japan, at a local hotel here on Thursday. The speakers said that productivity-led economic growth was important for Pakistan. They said that research and development and technology as well as skilled workers were critical to increase economic productivity.

The workshop titled “APO Vision 2025, Inclusive, Innovation-Led Productivity Growth in the Asia-Pacific” was addressed by various experts and officials. Addressing the occasion, NPO chief Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry said that technology and manpower could play an essential role in the productivity of the country. He said that NPO was playing a key role to increase productivity in Pakistan. He said that cooperation between NPO and industry was also important for economic productivity.

He said that no sector of the country could make progress without innovation. He stressed the need for the use of information technology in all sectors of the country to ensure productivity. Alamgir Chaudhry said that innovative ideas could enhance economic productivity in the country. He said that automation of the public and private sectors in the country was necessary for economic productivity.

“We are currently working on a productivity drive. The role of chambers of commerce and industry, schools, colleges and universities are important in this regard. The private sector of the country is cooperating with us and we are also working on the future vision,” he said.

He said that NPO was working on Productivity Vision 2025 to increase industrial efficiency in the country. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ali Sajid, an expert, said that industrial and agricultural productivity was crucial to strengthen the national economy. He said that economic productivity was the main driver of sustainable economic development. “To increase innovation and productivity, we have to work at both academia and industry levels. Pakistan’s industrial production ranking is currently lower than the regional countries, including Iran and Vietnam,” he added.

He said that political stability was also a result of economic development. “There is no concept of productivity without quality; therefore, industrial and agricultural quality is essential. Countries make progress through innovation,” he added.

Dr Ali said that the economic development of Korea, Japan and Vietnam was a result of innovation and productivity. He said that several regional countries developed agriculture through innovation and productivity. Addressing the workshop, NPO General Manager Wajih Ahmed Abbasi said that the organisation was working on introducing a culture of productivity in the country. He said that the efforts of the NPO were leaving positive impacts on the national economy.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk