Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Prof. Ahsan Iqbal visited the National Manufacturing Organization, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Industry and Production.
Using the occasion, Additional Secretary Industries and Production Asad Islam Mani and National Productivity Commissioner Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry reminded the Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal about the National Productivity Master Plan, a strategic framework to change Pakistan’s productivity scenario which was wiped out by Asia. Aid to Production Organization (APO) Tokyo Japan and Korea Development Institute (KDI). KDI is the 6th largest global think tank providing global policy advisory services.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that the only way to achieve growth for Pakistan today is to increase productivity. He lamented that despite its vast resources, Pakistan’s economy was facing challenges due to political instability and lack of focus on productivity.
Giving an example to the participants, he said that Pakistan is the third largest producer of milk in the world, but our production is 1600-1800 liters of milk per animal. Other milk-producing countries have adapted production methods and increased production levels to around 7,000 to 8,000 litres. He said, the country should increase productivity in agriculture and the value of its products.
Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said, due to political instability and occasional policy changes, sustainable development is impossible. In 10 years we can get the benefits of routine and continuous policy. Pakistan’s economy needs to work hard to come out of deficit. The federal minister said that the biggest weapon today is the information and technology needed to keep up in the era of rapid innovation. “The world is moving towards artificial intelligence and automation and Pakistan needs to mature to remain competitive,” he said.
He said that as a nation, we are known all over the world as trustworthy and hardworking people. Nations must work together for the common goal of increasing productivity.
He said, a national meeting can be held in collaboration with APOs and NPOs, where all stakeholders can discuss ways to improve productivity and competitiveness. He also suggested launching a national drive to create awareness about productivity and competitiveness.
