African delegates hear the Secretariat presentation

Twelve African delegates from Botswana, Kenya, Mauritius, and South Africa paid a courtesy call on Secretary-General Shigeo Takenaka at the APO Secretariat on 11 November 2009 while in Japan to attend the training course on Lean Management for Management Consultants organized by the Japan Productivity Center, 7−21 November.

Secretary-General Takenaka (L) speaking on the APO’s African Program

Before meeting Secretary-General Takenaka, the delegates heard a presentation on the recent activities of the APO and major developments in its programs. Industry Department Program Officer Md. Zainuri Juri explained the design and contents of the training course on the Development of Productivity Practitioners: Basic and Advanced. He then detailed the outcome of the courses held for Pan African Productivity Association (PAPA) member countries since 2007, including the recent basic training course conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa, 7 September – 2 October.

Following the presentation, they were welcomed by Secretary-General Takenaka who spoke on the background and brief history of the APO’s African Program. On behalf of the delegates, Deputy Director Eng. Martin Mutuku Nzomo, Productivity Centre of Kenya, expressed his sincere appreciation for the APO’s efforts to “share the Asian productivity experiences with African countries.” “All the hard work has borne fruit,” said Nzomo, who also mentioned that PAPA had been designated the technical arm for productivity movement in Africa by the Africa Union. He added that six PAPA members had been assigned to facilitate projects for productivity improvement in Africa, and all the knowledge gained via the APO African Program would be utilized and disseminated across the continent. “I assure you that all of us will do our work well for the sake of humanity in terms of productivity,” he assured the Secretary-General. Other delegates agreed with Nzomo and applauded the APO and the future of the partnership between the APO and PAPA.