Informal enterprises account for a large share of employment and economic activity across the Asia-Pacific region, yet their productivity remains persistently low. This P-Talk by Dr. Martha Alter Chen, Co-founder, Emeritus International Coordinator, and Board Member of WIEGO in the United States, examines a common issue in the way low productivity in the informal economy […]
Model factories with industrial infrastructure create a unique ecosystem blending theory and practice for capacity building. Designed to train industry workers, especially SMEs, they enhance understanding of applications of productivity, lean manufacturing, digital transformation, and Industry 4.0 in real shopfloor settings. Since SMEs represent over 90% of industries in APO members, assessing model factories’ role […]
The APO emphasizes smart transformation through Industry 4.0 technologies, including AI, to boost productivity in agriculture. It focuses on capacity building, policy advisory, and promoting best practices, aligned with leveraging technology in all member economies. With the global population expected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, with more than 50% in Asia, agricultural productivity must […]
Bangladesh is scheduled to graduate from LDC status in 2026. Industrial development plays a crucial role in improving economic and social parameters while simultaneously intensifying consumption of limited natural resources and energy. National developmental policies must integrate environmental considerations across the value chain from raw material extraction to end-of-life treatment to ensure environmentally sustainable growth […]