H.E. Ambassador Phongsamouth Anlavan (R) with APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata.

Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata paid a courtesy call on H.E. Phongsamouth Anlavan, Ambassador of Lao PDR to Japan, on 7 December. The Secretary-General updated Ambassador Anlavan on the outcomes of his visit to Lao PDR from 23 to 24 November, which included attending the National Productivity Festival in Vientiane as well as discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Saleumxay Kommasith and Minister of Industry and Commerce H.E. Malaithong Kommasith on the implementation of the National Productivity Master Plan developed with APO assistance in 2021.

Secretary-General Dr. Indra gave an overview of APO activities that supported Lao PDR in meeting the targets set out in the master plan, including achieving annual labor productivity growth of 5.5% and GDP per capita of USD5,000 by 2030. Ambassador Anlavan appreciated the update and elaboration on the master plan’s targets and implementation. She shared her hopes for continued productivity growth in Lao PDR in tandem with the master plan and with APO assistance, and Secretary-General Dr. Indra reaffirmed his belief in the potential of Lao PDR to achieve the goals set.

Ambassador Anlavan and Secretary-General Dr. Indra agreed to remain in close communication and find new ways for the APO to support productivity improvement in Lao PDR.