APO Secretary-General, Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology, and KDI Executive Director confer on a new master plan.

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HANOI, VIETNAM/TOKYO, JAPAN�-�Media
OutReach�-�31 July 2019 -�Asian
Productivity Organization (APO) Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn, Vietnamese
Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, and Korea Development
Institute (KDI) Executive Director Dr. Youngsun Koh attended a preliminary
meeting in Hanoi, 26 July 2019, to discuss how to develop a National
Productivity Master Plan for Vietnam. Others present included representatives
of the International Cooperation Department, Department of Planning and
Finance, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology Innovation; Directorate for Standards,
Metrology and Quality (STAMEQ); and Vietnam National Productivity Institute
(VNPI).�

KDI Executive Director Dr. Youngsun Koh (3rd L), APO Secretary-General Dr. Santhi Kanoktanaporn (4th L), Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh (5th L), STAMEQ Deputy Director General Dr. Ha Minh Hiep (6th L), and others at the preliminary meeting on developing the National Productivity Master Plan for Vietnam in Hanoi, 26 July 2019. (Photo: Vietnam Minister of Science and Technology)

Secretary-General Dr. Santhi explained how the national productivity
master plans had been developed for Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Fiji and the rationale
for APO assistance to member countries in drafting those plans. He also
reported on the APO Centers of Excellence (COE) in the ROC, India, and Singapore,
stating that he was well aware that Vietnam hoped to establish a COE on
Innovation in the future. The Secretary-General briefly introduced the KDI,
which is ranked among the six most influential think tanks worldwide outside
the USA and highly regarded among major Asian economies. Executive Director Dr.
Koh described how the KDI expected to work with STAMEQ, the VNPI, Ministry of
Science and Technology (MOST), and other major stakeholders to create an effective
national master plan for Vietnam.

Minister Chu thanked Dr. Santhi for the support of the APO, particularly
for his direct personal support. He stated that, "The Government of Vietnam
cares deeply about productivity and innovation, since they are two key factors in
its socioeconomic development plan for 2020--2030. After setting up the Vietnam
Academy for Science and Technology Innovation, conditions are favorable for the
establishment of a COE on Innovation. STAMEQ, the VNPI, and the academy will
cooperate closely to achieve that target."

Dr. Santhi emphasized that drafting a master plan accounted for
only 15% of success, while implementing it effectively accounted for 85%.
Minister Chu agreed with that statement, pointing out that all the stakeholders
must collaborate for the plan to achieve the intended outcomes.

The APO Secretary-General thanked STAMEQ Deputy Director
General Dr. Ha Minh Hiep and VNPI Deputy Director Nguyen Thu Hien for arranging
the meeting and hoped that they would continue working closely with MOST, the
KDI, and APO on the development and eventual implementation of the master plan.

About the APO

The Asian Productivity
Organization (APO) is an intergovernmental organization committed to improving
productivity in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1961, the APO
contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through
policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, and undertaking smart
initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service, and public sectors. The APO
is shaping the future of the region by assisting member economies in
formulating national strategies for enhanced productivity and through a range
of institutional capacity-building efforts, including research and centers of
excellence in member countries.

The current APO members are:
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Republic of China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia,
Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and
Vietnam.