As part of the APO’s efforts to promote inclusive productivity through improved measurement approaches, the Conference on Informal-economy Productivity Measurement was held by the Lao National Productivity Organization (LNPO) in Vientiane, Lao PDR, from 8 to 9 October 2025. The conference brought together 70 participants from 13 APO member economies, representing government agencies, academia, national productivity organizations, and associations related to the informal economy.

Seven resource persons, one each from Canada, India, Malaysia, South Africa, and Vietnam and two from Lao PDR, shared insights into the informal-economy landscape, data collection and measurement methodologies, and practical solutions and policy strategies to enhance productivity and support formalization. In addition to expert presentations, the two-day conference also featured interactive dialogue sessions that encouraged peer learning and the exchange of best practices among participants.

Through engaging presentations and discussions, participants gained a deeper understanding of informal-economy productivity, explored approaches for more accurate measurement, and shared their experiences with improving productivity and formalization. The conference strengthened regional collaboration and built capacity to address data and policy gaps, laying the foundation for future joint initiatives. Participants expressed strong interest in sustaining regional cooperation and capacity-building efforts to advance inclusive and sustainable productivity growth across the Asia-Pacific.