Fiji National Productivity Master Plan 2021-2036 Launched in Suva
It will serve as the basis for the new National productivity driven growth strategy.
The Ministry of Employment, Productivity, and Industrial Relations and the National Productivity and Training Centre of Fiji have been recognised for undertaking a long-term transformational initiative for accelerating the country’s socioeconomic growth.
The Secretary General Asian Productivity Organisation Santhi Kanoktanaporn highlighted this during the launch of the Fiji National Productivity Master Plan 2021–2036 alongside the Minister for Employment, Productivity & Industrial Relations Praveen Bala at Holiday Inn, Suva, yesterday. Mr Kanoktanaporn said the Fiji National Productivity Master Plan 2021–2036 would serve as the basis for Fiji’s new productivity-driven growth strategy.
He said when leading efforts to ensure economic growth, it is important for governments to align policy initiatives with overall strategic directions while managing resources efficiently.
Mr Kanoktanaporn said: “It is also crucial to ensure that comprehensive national development policies are supported by an environment where innovation and technology are promoted and encouraged, jobs are created, and the quality of life for all continues to improve. “Innovation-led productivity improvement initiatives will allow us to take advantage of opportunities offered by the new era of Industry 4.0.
“We are living in a world where change is the only constant. “Previous models no longer guarantee continuing prosperity in an uncertain environment.
“To remain resilient in the face of constant change, organisations must take a long-term view and develop future-ready strategies that address risks and take advantage of opportunities to raise productivity in all sectors in a highly uncertain, complex future.
“This means adopting sustainable productivity models in all socioeconomic development initiatives.
“Agility, resilience, and sustainability are interrelated, integral elements of productivity which must underpin efforts to innovate for higher productivity and competitiveness.”
He said the Fiji National Productivity Master Plan 2021-2036 was intended to incorporate those three elements to sustain and upgrade national productivity growth.
Holistic approach
“A holistic approach is necessary for developing the soft and hard infrastructures to support productivityand innovation-led growth.
“It is essential for Fiji to embrace technology that will support innovation, build up human resources, and ultimately ensure overall sustainable socioeconomic development. In 2017, the APO launched the Specific National Programme to address the needs of individual member countries to improve productivity and competitiveness for sustainable socioeconomic growth. “The development of the Fiji National Productivity Master Plan 2021–2036 is part of APO efforts under this initiative.
“Fiji is the second member country after Pakistan and Cambodia for which a National Productivity Master Plan was drafted.” NTPC Director Isimeli Tagicakiverata highlighted NTPC will be releasing Fiji’s Productivity Report next month in July.
He said this report focuses on Fiji’s economic performance in terms of productivity and it highlights the sectoral performances at national level.
“This masterplan is but a document, so the onus is on us to use it for the benefit of our nation and our people. We must remember that productivity is a journey.
“The destination is constantly changing. However, we need to start the process today, so that we can reap the benefits tomorrow.”