Annual Report 2009 - Asian Productivity Organization

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Foreword The Asia-Pacific continued to feel the aftereffects of the global financial crisis in 2009. Glimmers of hope were apparent in some subsectors, but the sluggish world economy slowed consumer spending, construction starts, and demand for manufactured goods. As the world’s manufacturing hub, Asia and most APO member countries were adversely affected. The APO was no exception. The Secretariat, too, struggled to cope with the higher yen. Although the amount of total membership contributions is fixed, calculated, and paid in US dollars, most administrative expenses are incurred in yen. An approximate 14% appreciation of the yen over the past year means that personnel and administrative expenses have risen significantly, despite continued efforts to maintain an appropriate balance between projects and costs. To mitigate this, Secretariat staff volunteered a salary return from April 2009 until May 2010. I appreciate this show of loyalty, while other cost-cutting measures were under investigation. In spite of the financial storm, the APO remained on course in 2009. The Center of Excellence on Business Excellence within SPRING Singapore was in operation. The new project evaluation system was tested in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand with the assistance of the NPOs. The continued focus on training courses benefited more individuals, enhanced by the publication of practical, easily understood manuals, available as e-books on the APO Web site. Category A/C and B/C projects also reflect APO outreach to as wide an audience as possible. These typically involve a multicountry project, followed by a national training program for approximately 30 participants. Six member countries hosted national training programs in 2009, training more than 200 productivity practitioners. e-Learning courses were favored among participants and NPOs. Their face-to-face follow-up sessions help in the recruitment of motivated trainees. Secretariat officers have developed a successful recipe for interactive, lively e-sessions combining expert presentations, local site visits, and discussions. The annual Eco-products International Fairs (EPIFs) contribute significantly to APO visibility among the general public. The fifth fair in Manila had more than 80,000 visitors and a record 128 companies and organizations displaying the most advanced eco-technologies, eco-products, and eco-services. The Eco-products Directory 2009 published in conjunction with the EPIF contained 1,000 listings. Improvements in the APO Productivity Databook continued in 2009. Total factor productivity can now be computed by seven member countries after missions were sent to assist their national statistics offices. The Asian Growth Map on the APO Web site gives up-to-date quarterly statistics. The data in these two research projects are hoped to assist policymakers in analyzing regional growth, and the business community to identify investment opportunities. Details of projects conducted in 2009 are given in this APO Annual Report, along with excerpts from speeches given at the 51st session of the Governing Body held in Sri Lanka in April and Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs in the Philippines in October. Without the support and cooperation of NPOs and member governments, the APO could not fulfill its mission to contribute to a better quality of life through sustainable socioeconomic development. I would like to express my gratitude to all of you, and to the various organizations, national organizations and productivity practitioners who have shared their knowledge in APO projects. Tokyo, July 2010 Shigeo Takenaka Secretary-General APO ANNUAL REPORT 2009 1
ORGANIZATION 2 ORGANIZATION Asian Productivity Organization ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE DEPARTMENT MISSION The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) was established on 11 May 1961 as a regional intergovernmental organization. Its mission is to contribute to the socioeconomic development of Asia and the Pacific through enhancing productivity. The APO is nonpolitical, nonprofit, and nondiscriminatory. MEMBERSHIP RESEARCH & PLANNING DEPARTMENT APO membership is open to countries in Asia and the Pacific which are members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Current membership comprises 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. These countries pledge to assist each other in their productivity drives in a spirit of mutual GOVERNING BODY SECRETARY- GENERAL INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT cooperation by sharing knowledge, information, and experience. KEY ROLES WORKSHOP MEETING OF HEADS OF NPOs AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT In serving its member countries, the APO performs five key roles: Think Tank, Catalyst, Regional Adviser, Institution Builder, and Clearinghouse for Productivity Information. 1. As a think tank, the APO conducts research on emerging needs of member countries for their follow-up and for determining appropriate assistance to them. 2. As a catalyst, the APO promotes bilateral and multilateral alliances among member countries and between them and others outside the APO region for collaboration in productivity-related activities for mutual benefit. 3. As a regional adviser, the APO surveys the eco-
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AGRICULTURE SECTOR 50 of Agricultur
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AGRICULTURE SECTOR 52 and expands a
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AGRICULTURE SECTOR 54 tings for the
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INDIVIDUAL-COUNTRY PROGRAMS 56 a fe
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EVALUATION OF APO PROJECTS 58 EVALU
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INFORMATION PROGRAM 60 INFORMATION
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INFORMATION PROGRAM 62 of almost al
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INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 64 Africa
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Individual-country Programs Individ
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FINANCIAL REPORT 104 INDEPENDENT AU
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FINANCIAL REPORT 106 ASIAN PRODUCTI
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FINANCIAL REPORT 108 ASIAN PRODUCTI
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FINANCIAL REPORT 110 (3) Fixed asse
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FINANCIAL REPORT 112 Movements in t
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FINANCIAL REPORT 114 10. Reports of
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Guide to Abbreviations and Acronyms
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Annual Report 2009 - Asian Productivity Organization

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