International Productivity Conference 2001
2-4 October 2001, Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
Welcome Address
by Mr. Takashi Tajima, APO Secretary
General
First
of all, let me extend my heartfelt welcome to all
participants and speakers to the International Productivity
Conference 2001 (IPC'01.) The IPC 01 is the culmination
of a series of commemorative activities undertaken
to celebrate APO's 40th anniversary. It is a happy
coincidence that year 2001 is also a memorable year
for Singapore, the host country of the IPC, as it
is the 20th anniversary of the Singapore productivity
movement which has played a critical role in her remarkable
economic development. On behalf of 18 member economies
of the APO, I wish to express our deep appreciation
to the Government of Singapore for hosting this conference,
to Lim Hng Kiang, the Honorable Minister for Health
and Second Minister for Finance for agreeing to deliver
the special keynote address, to Mr. Lim Boon Heng,
the Honorable Minister without Portfolio, Prime Minister's
Office and APO Chairman for delivering the welcome
address, to Mr. Lee Suan Hiang, Executive Director
of the Singapore Productivity and Standards Board
and his able staff for the excellent organization
and arrangements made for this conference, and to
the people of Singapore for their warm hospitality.
Four decades have passed since the foundation of
the APO. Each decade represents a distinct phase of
development and growth in the character of the APO
and its impact on the productivity movement in the
region. Let me try to set out what we have achieved
during the four decades. The first decade from 1961
to 1970 signified the decade of establishment where
the APO laid its basic foundation for its activities
with 14 member countries joining the fold one after
another. The second decade from 1971 to 1980 witnessed
a decade of consolidation initiated by a group of
wise men who reviewed the APO's activities and identified
core areas for developing programs which should meet
the felt-needs of member countries. It was also during
this period when the APO flag was designed and officially
adopted. The third decade, 1981 to 1990, emerged as
the decade of expansion with the deepening of the
productivity movement in the respective member countries.
It contributed to instituting closer linkages between
productivity increase and economic growth, and more
rigorous involvement by the National Productivity
Organizations in national economic development. The
fourth decade from 1991 to 2000 undoubtedly marked
the decade of dynamic change and innovation triggered
by such issues as economic globalization, the environment,
IT, and poverty. Accordingly, the ultimate goal of
productivity has expanded to embrace the achievement
of a better quality of life for all people.
I think it is no overstatement to say that the APO
has made significant contribution to the accomplishment
of the rapid socioeconomic development in the region
during the past 40 years. The recovery from the 1997
Asian economic crisis also reaffirmed the important
role of the productivity movement in coping with such
a crisis. Our experience has also underscored that
nothing is more important than the development of
human resources. Needless to say, this is the length
and breadth of activities undertaken by the APO from
its very beginning. The basic spirit of the APO is
mutual respect and cooperation among member countries
which is the core value that has shaped the APO community.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me now turn to the IPC
itself. The APO organized the international productivity
conference every 10 years with a view to reviewing
our activities for the past decade and exploring a
productivity movement for the next 10 years so as
to give a fresh impetus to the search for ways and
means by which the productivity movement can be advanced.
The main theme of the IPC was chosen to reflect the
changing socioeconomic environment in member countries.
The first IPC discussed "productivity through
people in the age of changing technology," the
second highlighted the "new dimensions of productivity
and development strategies for the 1980s," and
the third dealt with "better quality of work
life through productivity." The IPC has retained
a distinct identity with bedrock spirit placed on
the inseparable linkages between people and productivity.
Our economy and society have been changing at an
accelerating pace. Countries, industries, and individuals
need to adapt and respond to these rapid changes if
they want to stay competitive and achieve sustainable
economic development. The question posed on us is
how the productivity movement should unfold in response
to the changes of the times. Productivity is a dynamic
concept under which there are numerous roles we are
expected to play. In this regard, I wish to focus
on three major roles. First, in response to changes
and speed, our movement should put more emphasis on
the strengthening of creative and innovative mind
of the people so as to stay competitive in global
markets. Second, it should establish a symbiosis between
environmental protection and economic development.
And third, it should contribute to promoting social
fairness across the board thereby narrowing the gap
between the rich and the poor. Let me briefly touch
on these roles as they have an important bearing on
the motto and themes designed for this conference.
I believe that the APO can take special pride in
the progress made in developing its activities to
assist member countries and NPOs. The challenge of
establishing a prosperous society wherein the benefits
of productivity movement should be shared fairly for
everyone has prompted us to highlight "a better
quality of life of all people" as the motto of
our conference. It articulates the best aspiration
of all member countries. Keeping this view in mind,
three main themes were chosen: competitiveness, people,
and value creation. We believe that these factors
are crucial to turn the aspiration into reality. Obviously
they are closely interrelated and have complementary
relationships with each other. Competitiveness policies
apply to all economic sectors and cannot bring about
desired impacts in absence of people's efforts. Therefore
the development of human resources remains the prime
focus for creating new value and innovation. Although
the priority for economic development varies from
one country to another, a skilled and knowledge workforce
will increasingly become a key organizational asset
if business organizations wish to maintain competitive
edge. The business organizations that create a new
or better value in products and services can stay
competitive in the world market. Such competitiveness
is the norm of productivity. Put differently, productivity
needs to be promoted by the cycle of these three factors,
and the intra-action and the inter-reaction among
them will create synergistic effects for higher productivity.
The APO's activities to protect the environment have
been reinforced over the years. While the dynamic
economic development in the Asia and Pacific region
has been contributing to the improvement of living
standards of the people, it has also been causing
deterioration of the environment and depletion of
non-renewable resources. In recognition of the urgency
for measures to protect the environment, the APO has
advocated the concept of green productivity as a new
strategy that aims at ensuring productivity improvement
in harmony with environmental protection. This approach
has received a wide acceptance and support of all
member countries under a shared vision that society
should be built upon not only economic development
but also environmental quality.
In advancing our movement for competitiveness in
the Internet society and the borderless economy, we
should bear in mind the need to pursue a two-tier
approach to productivity by striking a balance between
market mechanism and social justice and progress.
While market mechanism has a positive impact on economic
progress, many countries and governments have wrestled
with the consequences of rapid economic change such
as growing income differentials, decreasing employment
opportunities, and weakening welfare services. In
fact, the emerging "digital divide" tends
to generate a new gap between the rich and the poor.
The shortfalls built in with the market mechanism
call for more attention to social fairness which could
be realized through the equitable sharing of gains
of productivity, equal employment opportunities, and
social safety nets.
In short, the establishment of a prosperous society
should take into account the importance of striking
balance between economic achievement and social dimensions
of productivity for a better quality of life for all
people. I firmly believe that this is the important
manifestation of the productivity movement in the
21st century. Let us hold this belief as an unshakable
conviction among all participants gathered here and
put our heart and soul into its realization.
Ladies and gentlemen, the IPC 01 was organized keeping
the above vision and aspirations in view. We are truly
fortunate to have a galaxy of highly distinguished
speakers and experts coming from government, industry,
academia, and the public to participate in this conference.
They are here to share with us their valuable insights
and foresights on various aspects of competitiveness,
people, and value creation which are all relevant
to productivity enhancement. It is my fervent hope
that their views and experiences will not only serve
as rich food for thought but also provide us with
many practical and adaptable lessons to bring back
home so that we could further accelerate the dynamism
of the productivity movement in respective countries.
On the last day, we will adopt the Singapore Declaration
which will give us a new direction and paradigm of
the productivity movement in the new millennium.
Ladies and gentlemen, lastly one thing I have yet
to mention is that the September 11th terrorism attacks
have caused new economic uncertainty at the global
level. In spite of the growing apprehension over our
future economy, I believe that the productivity movement
should be accorded its own place and responsibility
in combating emerging socioeconomic difficulties.
This conference has given us new challenges to overcome
them through the sharing of experiences and the pooling
of wisdom of all participants.
I wish you all fruitful deliberations and a pleasant
stay in Singapore. Thank you.
