44th SESSION of the APO GOVERNING BODY MEETING
18-20 June 2002, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Statement by New APO Chairman
by Mr. Manu Laopairote
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, and
APO Director for Thailand
Fellow Directors, Mr. Secretary-General, Distinguished
Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am grateful for the confidence you have shown
in me by electing me as the new APO Chairman. This
is an honor not only for me but also for my country.
I humbly accept your appointment with deep gratitude.
I shall endeavor to fulfill my duties to the best
of my ability.
I am conscious that I am succeeding someone who,
by his very presence in the Governing Body, has helped
to elevate the status of this organization, Honourable
Minister Lim Boon Heng, APO Director for Singapore.
It will be my pleasure, to perform my very first duty
as the new APO Chairman, to express on behalf of my
fellow Directors, our sincere appreciation to Minister
Lim Boon Heng, for his able leadership, dedication
and contribution to the APO over the past year. I
would like to add that what PSB, now SPRING, has accomplished
under his leadership in propelling Singapore productivity
movement, has always been an inspiration and encouragement
to all of us.
May I also record my gratitude to Mr. Bhanu Prasad
Acharya, APO Director for Nepal, who served with Mr.
Lim as the Second Vice Chairman, and who is now the
First Vice Chairman. I congratulate him on his appointment.
I also extend my congratulation to Mr. Seyyed Ahmad
Eshagh Husseini, APO Director for Iran on his appointment
as the Second Vice Chairman.
I look forward to working closely with both of them
and with Secretary-General Takashi Tajima on matters
concerning the APO.
For all of us who are involved in the productivity
movement in our respective countries and in the region,
I am certain that exciting times lay ahead of us.
There will certainly be greater challenges, brought
about by the fast changing competitive environment.
But whatever challenges we face, whether we are striving
for economic progress or seeking social justice and
equality, productivity will be the key and productivity
movement will be at the center of action. This refrain
has been echoed by many members of this august body
in the past. It remains true today. What we can generate
from the productivity movement will depend on what
we do with it. We can be reactive or proactive, but
we certainly can not sit back and relax. We have to,
individually and collectively, move steadfastly forward
to prepare for the future challenges.
While each NPO may have different national agendas
for productivity enhancement, we share a common quest.
This is the reason why we are here at this meeting
in beautiful Kuala Lumpur. One advantage of being
a part of the APO is that an NPO will never stand
alone, nor can it stand still. As we see the relentless
efforts being made by others to improve productivity,
their enthusiasm becomes contagious and we want to
move forward with them. The momentum of the movement,
supported by the APO, will sweep us forward if we
respond positively to it. Collectively, we must keep
this momentum moving, accelerating at times, but always
keeping it at a steady, upbeat pace.
As I have just mentioned, each of our countries has
a different productivity agenda. Thailand has learned
much from other member countries. We, in turn, stand
ready to share our success, and failure, with other
members.
Fellow Directors, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies
and Gentlemen, I seek your cooperation and active
participation in the deliberations that we will have
over the next three days. Together, we can make this
meeting truly satisfying and fruitful.
Thank you.
