As part of its initiative to strengthen cooperation among countries on productivity-related initiatives, the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) facilitates bilateral meetings between the national productivity organizations (NPOs) of member economies. The Bilateral Cooperation Between NPOs (BCBN) Program allows members to learn through mutual sharing of knowledge and best practices as well as examine current and new initiatives that impact productivity and economic growth.

In collaboration with the Japan Productivity Center (JPC) and Korea Productivity Cenetr (KPC), the APO recently facilitated a visit by a delegation from Sri Lanka to the ROK and Japan, 2 –28 July 2018. Led by Sri Lankan Minister of Public Administration and Management and Law and Order R.M. Ranjith Maddumabandara, the main objective was to strengthen cooperation between the National Productivity Secretariat (NPS) of Sri Lanka and the JPC and KPC. The BCBN delegation also studied the productivity movement at the national and sectoral levels in the two countries.

During their time in Japan, the delegates called on the APO Secretariat and were briefed on current initiatives and programs for enhancing productivity in the industry, agriculture, and public sectors. They also reported on the achievements of APO activities in Sri Lanka such as a demonstration project on energy efficiency and conservation, multicountry projects on public-sector productivity, and a rural development program.

The delegates explained their expectations of the APO and suggested setting up a Center of Excellence in Sri Lanka to enhance the capacity building of the NPS and provide advisory services on developing a national productivity master plan and introducing advanced technology to the agriculture sector.

Other members of the delegation included Additional Secretary P.G.D. Pradeepa Serasinghe of the Ministry of Public Administration and Management and APO Alternate Director for Sri Lanka, Coordinating Secretary Samanthi Champika Hapuarachchi of the Ministry of Public Administration and Management, and Additional Director Buddhika Subhashi Gamage of the NPS.

BCBN delegation from Sri Lanka at the APO Secretariat, 28 June 2018.