Ahsan Iqbal stresses productivity as key to Pakistan’s growth

ISLAMABAD, Aug 01 (APP):Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday emphasized that increasing productivity is the only way for Pakistan to achieve economic growth, citing the country's vast resources and potential. 

He highlighted the need for focus on productivity, quality, and innovation to enhance competitiveness, profitability, and economic development.

The minister presided over a meeting of senior officers of the National Productivity Organization (NPO) which was attended by Additional Secretary Ministry of Industries and Production, Asad Islam Mahni, and CEO NPO Alamgir Chaudhary, said a news release.

The minister directed NPO to implement measures to promote excellence and recognize high-performing individuals and organizations.

He appreciated the National Productivity Master Plan, a strategic framework to turn Around Pakistan’s productivity scenario developed with the support of Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Tokyo Japan and Assistance of Korean Development Institute (KDI).

He emphasized that the country needs to enhance productivity in agri-industry and value addition of its products.

He regretted that despite having vast resources, Pakistan’s economy had been facing challenges due to inconsistency in the political setup and a lack of focus on productivity.

Giving an example, he said Pakistan is the third-largest milk producer in the world, yet our production is 1600 to 1800 liters of milk per animal. Other milk-producing nations have increased their production levels to approximately 7000 to 8000 liters of milk per animal by adapting to productive methods.

The minister directed NPO officials to conduct productivity awards based on the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award. The launch of the Excellence Award will encourage public and private sector organizations to use the excellence framework, consequently increasing efficiency and productivity.

Similarly, the implementation of these concepts will enhance the profitability and competitiveness of organizations.

In the agriculture sector, tractors should be awarded to the best farmers in each district, and motorcycles to the best farmers in every tehsil. Champions in the small industry sector should also be identified, he remarked.

The concept of productivity is not augmented with quality and innovation to create competitiveness edge in current era said adding that countries sell their national brands based on their standardized product quality.

He emphasized that productivity, quality and innovation is the only alternative for growth enhancement as an alternative for growth through investment.

Productivity, quality and innovation ensure the profitability of the organizations thus the economic condition of the enterprises will improve which consequently affect the lives of the stakeholders especially the employees.

The introduction of these concepts in the public sector organization will improve the quality of their service, which will enhance the satisfaction of the public at large, he added.

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