Productivity Today Means Resilience, Innovation and Inclusive Growth: Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal

APO National Awards Honour Productivity Champions and Technical Experts Driving Sustainable Development

The first day of the 68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the Asian Productivity Organization commenced successfully today at Bharat Mandapam, bringing together senior government officials, Heads of National Productivity Organizations (NPOs), policymakers, productivity experts, and delegates from APO member economies.

The Inaugural Session was held in the distinguished presence of  Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, who delivered the inaugural address as the Chief Guest.

In his inaugural address, Shri Piyush Goyal highlighted that, as the outgoing Chair of the Governing Body, India was honoured to contribute during a transformative phase for the APO, where technology, sustainability, and changing global dynamics were reshaping economies. He emphasized that productivity today extends beyond efficiency to include resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth. Highlighting India’s reforms under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, he noted initiatives such as Make In India, Startup India, Skill India, the Production Linked Incentive Schemes, PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the National Logistics Policy, UPI, Aadhaar, and ONDC as examples of productivity-driven transformation, while reaffirming India’s commitment to regional cooperation, sustainable development, and future-ready growth through the APO.

The inaugural proceedings began with the arrival of dignitaries and the welcome of delegates by Smt. Neerja Sekhar, Director General, NPC India. She highlighted NPC’s commitment to digital transformation, green productivity, capability building, and measurable outcomes to strengthen MSMEs, enhance competitiveness, and promote sustainable and resilient economic growth. Opening remarks were delivered by Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, and APO Director for India. He stated that APO Vision 2030 and strategic reforms would strengthen institutional cooperation, governance, and outcomes-based development in all the member economies.

A major highlight of the session was the APO National Award Conferment Ceremony. Dr. V. K. Saraswat, former Member, NITI Aayog and Chair of the APO National Award Search-cum-Selection Committee, addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of recognizing productivity champions and technical experts contributing toward national and regional productivity enhancement.

The APO National Award certificates were presented to the following distinguished productivity experts by the Shri Goyal, followed by brief remarks from the awardees acknowledging the role of productivity, innovation, and institutional excellence in achieving sustainable development:

1. APO National Award for Productivity Advocates to Mr. Ashok Panjwani, Director, BEIL Infrastructure Limited, Bharuch, Gujarat.
2. APO National Award for Productivity Technical Expert to Mr. Bakul Limbasiya, Founder Director, Bhathwari Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat.
3. NPC Special Recognition Awards to:

(a) Ms. Vidushi Mittal, Director, Kalaaai Studio, Jaipur, Rajasthan. 

(b) Ms. Anshul Malhotra, Traditional Textile Conservator & Handloom Textile Designer, Krishna Wool, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. 

(c) Mr. Akhand Pratap Singh, Founder & CEO, Vymanik Aerospace Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Hosted by the National Productivity Council under the aegis of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, the three-day Governing Body Meeting is deliberating on key strategic and administrative matters concerning productivity enhancement and sustainable socioeconomic development across the Asia-Pacific region.

The 68th GBM also witnessed important leadership transitions. APO Director for Indonesia, Prof. Anwar Sanusi, assumed the position of APO Chair for 2026–27, succeeding APO Director for India, Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia. The Acting APO Director for Iran and the Acting APO Director for Japan assumed the positions of First Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair of the APO, respectively.

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Prof. Anwar Sanusi, APO Chair (2026–27), followed by a group photograph of all dignitaries and delegates.

The Day 1 proceedings commenced with the Plenary Session, during which the Governing Body considered agenda items relating to the approval of the agenda; election of the APO Chair and Vice Chairs for 2026–27; statements by the outgoing and incoming APO Chairs; adoption of annual and financial reports; appointment of auditors; recommendations of the APO Vision 2030 Steering Committee; and the APO preliminary budget for the 2027–28 biennium.

Following the inaugural programme, the Governing Body Meeting reconvened for further plenary deliberations on proposals for endorsement and progress reports concerning APO governance reforms, financial reporting standards, participation of non-member countries, and the implementation of APO Vision 2030 initiatives.

The closing ceremony of the 68th APO Governing Body Meeting will be held on 22 May 2026

About the Asian Productivity Organization (APO):
The Asian Productivity Organization is a premier intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity for sustainable socioeconomic development in the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation and policy support. Established in 1961, the APO currently has 21 member economies.

About National Productivity Council (NPC):

The National Productivity Council is an autonomous organization of DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, dedicated to promoting productivity culture in India through consultancy, training, research, and capacity-building initiatives.