Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan, H.E. Pham Quang Hieu (R) and APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra.

APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata paid a courtesy call on H.E. Pham Quang Hieu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Japan, on 22 January. The purpose was to discuss the ongoing collaboration between the APO and Vietnam, with a focus on the outcomes of high-level meetings during the recent missions of Secretary-General Dr. Indra to the country.

Secretary-General Dr. Indra updated Ambassador Hieu on the APO’s cooperation with Vietnam and the progress made in meeting the requests of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh regarding national productivity improvement during their meeting in April 2023. Dr. Indra also shared the outcomes of his recent visit to attend the Vietnam National Productivity Forum last December, including discussions with the Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) People’s Committee. A key point of discussion was the intention to finalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the HCMC on good regulatory practices (GRP), which will establish a model for public-sector productivity improvement through GRP adoption and contribute to the efficiency of the city’s public service delivery.

Ambassador Hieu expressed sincere appreciation for the APO’s unwavering support and collaboration with Vietnam, emphasizing the pivotal role of productivity in the country’s sustainable economic growth. He underscored the significance of successful cooperation with HCMC, a leading city in Vietnam with a unique status, that could serve as a potential model for the entire nation and the broader region. He requested the APO’s continuous support, particularly in sharing international perspectives on productivity improvement to achieve the targets outlined in the National Productivity Master Plan.

Secretary-General Dr. Indra and Ambassador Hieu concluded the meeting by affirming their commitment to enhancing collaboration and communication to advance productivity improvement in Vietnam.