46th Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs
14–16 February 2006, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Welcome Address
by Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Hashim
APO Director for Malaysia and Chairman, National Productivity Corporation, Malaysia
The Honorable Shigeo Takenaka, APO Secretary-General; Madam Dato’ Nik Zainiah Nik Abdul Rahman, Director-General of the NPC Malaysia; distinguished guests and delegates from APO member countries; and ladies and gentlemen:
I warmly welcome all of you to Malaysia and to the 46th Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs. On behalf of the Malaysian government, we are honored and delighted to have you all here in Kuala Lumpur. Allow me to express my sincere gratitude to the APO and its member countries for giving Malaysia the opportunity to host this strategic event. It is also a great pleasure for us as 2006 is the NPC’s 40th anniversary as a pioneer in the productivity and quality movement in the country.
The NPC has come a long way since its founding in 1966. As the country developed, the NPC began to expand across the country and today has five regional offices catering to Sabah, Sarawak, the industrial northern region, the southern region, and the eastern corridor of Peninsular Malaysia.
The NPC has been an APO member since 1983. In the 1980s and early 1990s, it, like many national productivity organizations in developing economies, was mainly a beneficiary of APO developmental programs. Today, I am happy to note that the NPC, in addition to receiving support from the APO, also contributes to APO initiatives and programs. This is in line with Malaysia’s aspiration to make the world a better place for all humanity and in particular our friends in the APO fraternity.
Mr. Shigeo Takenaka, our new APO Secretary-General, has brought a breath of fresh air and change in APO management and administration. In general, the APO is seeking to become more productive, efficient, and effective in rendering services to its members. To do this, APO members need to review the organizational mission constantly. Many activities are beneficial to developing member countries because they are based on the premise of socioeconomic development. APO members are in various stages of development, and the requirements of some go beyond socioeconomic development. They are concerned with new economic challenges such as global competition, environmental sustainability, renewable resources, new technology, geopolitical events, health and disease, transmigration of human capital, and many other issues that may not be on the current APO agenda. These concerns are global in nature and affect every member, irrespective of economic status.
In assuming its role as a proactive APO member, Malaysia through the NPC has hosted 43 training courses/seminars, 11 Bilateral Cooperation Between NPOs projects, and 10 Individual Country Observational Study Missions from 2001 to 2005. The NPC has also deputed 43 of its officers under the Technical Expert Services Program to other member countries in the areas of benchmarking, ISO9000, productivity measurement, total factor productivity, quality award auditing, innovative creativity circles, women’s development, 5S auditing, information and communications technology, balanced scorecard, total preventive management, competency development, learning organizations, total quality management, and Green Productivity.
The NPC is also taking a new initiative to work bilaterally with other national productivity organizations with the support of the Secretariat. In January, it signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Productivity and Development Center of Mongolia to work in several areas in which the NPC can provide expertise. We hope that such bilateral arrangements will further APO aspirations to become more relevant to its members in the challenging global scenario.
The Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs is a platform for a meeting of minds and examining the critical path toward greater competitiveness. The meeting is complemented by two observational study visits covering the industry and agriculture sectors. Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. (PERODUA), located in Rawang, Selangor, is Malaysia’s second car manufacturing company. Established in 1983, PERODUA manufactures small and medium-sized vehicles. We will also visit the Monoluxury Sdn. Bhd. Farm, located in the Genting Highlands. The farm produces fresh lettuce and more than 30 different types of herbs for export. It uses both aeroponic and hydroponic systems and has been accredited by the Malaysia Farm Accreditation Scheme and received hazard analysis and critical control point certification.
To conclude, I thank the participating companies, the organizing team, and the secretariats of the NPC and APO. I look forward to energizing discussions and a fruitful workshop meeting over the next three days. Please have a memorable and enjoyable stay in beautiful Malaysia. Thank you.
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