The relationship between productivity and sustainable development is a two-way traffic. Investing in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can also foster productivity. Higher productivity and higher consumption are necessary for sustainable development and growth. Quality product at a reasonable and competitive price is a demand of every society.
Like every year the National Productivity Organisation (NPO) has chalked out a programme to observe National Productivity Day on October 02. The theme of the day this year is: "Productivity for Sustainable Development and Growth". NPO is working relentlessly to replicate the success experience of other member countries of Japan-based Asian Productivity Organisation in our country.
Productivity can support in achieving 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 associated targets that constitute the core agenda of sustainable development. Productivity should be linked with SDGs for achieving sustainable development and growth. Sustained productivity is necessary to strengthen domestic growth.
The availability of infrastructure is also important for sustained productivity growth. Public infrastructure is a crucial factor for enhancing productivity. This includes transport and energy infrastructure such as educational infrastructure like school, college and university and health infrastructure like hospital and health services. Moreover, labour quality in terms of knowledge and skills are essential factors that contribute to productivity growth. The quality of education is a critical factor, especially as shortage of skill would constrain the abilities of economies to take advantage of technological change thereby limiting productivity growth, particularly in manufacturing and economic diversification. Indeed, while levels of education, measured in terms of enrolment, literacy and years in schooling, have increased in the country, more efforts to increase the quality of education would contribute to accelerating productivity growth.
Focusing on productivity provides an overarching framework for countries to facilitate achievement of several of the Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, greater levels of productivity, especially in the rural and agricultural sector, will help countries "end poverty in all its forms everywhere" envisaged in SDG goal 1; "end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture in SDG goal 2"; and "reduce inequality within and among countries SDG goal 10.
The relationship between productivity and sustainable development is, however, a two-way path. Investment in the Sustainable Development Goals can also foster productivity. For instance, social policies that contribute to expanding investment in health and education to reach SDG goal 3 certainly ensure healthy lives and promotes well-being for all ages, and SDG goal 4 ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and promote "lifelong learning opportunities for all". These may strengthen productivity of the labour force.
Economic and sectoral policies that foster investment would ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy - SDG goal 7; build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation - SDG 9; and more investment in these two sectors positively contribute to improve productivity. Climate change make significant negative impacts on productivity. Therefore urgent action is required to combat climate change and its impacts, which is SDG goal 13.
Thus SDG goals will contribute to strengthening productivity. Similarly and more importantly, strengthening productivity will contribute to the success of a good number of the SDG Goals. This will, thus, create a virtuous cycle between sustainable development, productivity and economic growth.
Productivity increases are both curse and potential. It is curse because increased productivity within the existing market economic system makes people unemployed and business loser, unless there is a corresponding demand or increase in consumption.
Despite all limitations and contradiction, National Productivity Organisation is working in close cooperation with government and private sector organizations to produce quality goods and to meet the challenge of the global market.
The writer is a former Director General, Bangladesh Accreditation Board.
