Bali played host to the 53rd Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs (WSM), 23–25 October. Thirty-seven NPO and agriculture delegates and 19 advisers representing APO member economies gathered to discuss specific activities to advance the productivity movement in the region. The meeting was also attended by three observers from the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), and Botswana National Productivity Centre (BNPC).

Representing the Government of Indonesia, Minister of Manpower and Transmigration Muhaimin Iskandar delivered the inaugural address. He stated that according to the World Economic Forum, Indonesia ranked 50th out of 144 countries in the competitiveness index. This would be a good opportunity for Indonesia to be innovative and creative to improve productivity and competitiveness in a significant way, he noted. He added that, “The cooperation between the APO and the Ministry of Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia is expected to increase Indonesia’s competitiveness index in order to participate in the global free market.”

Bali Deputy Governor I. Wayan Suasta, who represented Governor of Bali Province I. Made Mangku Pastika, delivered the welcome remarks. He said, “This meeting surely will have a good impact on Bali to enhance Balinese productivity since Bali is a world tourist destination and provides many occupations for job seekers. The Bali Provincial Government is very concerned about increasing the productivity of local human resources.”

APO Director for Indonesia and Director General of Training and Productivity Development Abdul Wahab Bangkona delivered the opening address and welcomed all delegates. He noted that the event had “observers coming from several countries and organizations outside the APO. It will create a better atmosphere to expand our cooperation not only among APO members but also with other countries and organizations outside the APO.”

Dr. Bessie Burgos of SEARCA remarked that it was of “the utmost importance to SEARCA and the APO to understand each other’s priorities and work programs for the purpose of identifying specific areas for collaboration intended to benefit the countries and region we commonly serve.”

Executive Director Baeti Molake Molake of the BNPC added that he hoped to learn from NPOs on methods and approaches that would enable the BNPC to move in the direction of becoming an independent body that will serve and facilitate the productivity movement of his country.

The main agenda items of this WSM were to reconfirm the APO Program Plan for the 2013–2014 biennium, prioritize the policy statements from APO Directors at the 2012 GBM, review the current center of excellence and proposals for a new one, and review the proposed new public-sector productivity framework.

The meeting also elected NPO Delegate from Indonesia Kunjung Masehat and NPO Delegate from Fiji Kamlesh Shashi Prakash as Chair and Vice Chair, respectively. On assuming his position, the Chair stated that the WSM had several important tasks to accomplish and mentioned the list of important agenda items.

Click here for speeches delivered during the 53rd WSM.

• Inaugural Address by the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, Government of Indonesia Muhaimin Iskandar
• Welcome Remarks by the Governor of Bali Province I. Made Mangku Pastika (delivered by the Deputy Governor of Bali Province)
• Opening Address  by the APO Director for Indonesia Abdul Wahab Bangkona
• Statement by APO Secretary-General Ryuichiro Yamazaki

Click here for photo gallery.