APO prescribes preparation for adoption of digital economy


FE Team | Published: October 24, 2017 18:28:41 | Updated: October 25, 2017 12:38:19


APO Secretary-General Santhi Kanoktanaporn (L), Korean Deputy Minister for Industrial Policy Gunsu Park and Korean Productivity Centre Chairman and CEO Soon Jick Hong seen at 58th meeting of National Productivity Organisation heads in Seoul.

The Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) has urged its members to take preparation to be able to anticipate changes in digital economy.

Secretary-General of APO Santhi Kanoktanaporn made the call at the 58th Workshop Meeting (WSM) of Heads of National Productivity Organisations (NPOs), commenced on Tuesday, in Seoul of South Korea.

The organisation made the call as it thinks the transition to the Industry 4.0 era will have a major impact on economy and productivity.

Santhi Kanoktanaporn also urged member countries to rethink about their national productivity agendas.

He highlighted the need to acquire foresight capabilities and the fourth industrial revolution would be no exception.

"We need to understand the key drivers of change before developing strategies to ensure preparations for transition to digital economy," said Santhi Kanoktanaporn.

According to a press release by Media OutReach, South Korea's Deputy Minister for Industrial Policy Dr. Gunsu Park was present at WSM as guest of honour.

Park shared the experience of implementing Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 initiative successfully in South Korea in 2013.

"The concept was applied in 2,800 smart factories by the end of 2016, and the target is to support 20,000 companies by 2022," the Deputy Minister said.

Korean Productivity centre Chairman and CEO Dr. Soon Jick Hong also addressed the programme.

NPO representatives, agriculture delegates, and advisers from 19 APO members, along with observers from international partner organisations, have attended the three-day WSM.

Share if you like