**Executive Summary**
The 68th Session of the Governing Body Meeting (GBM) of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) commenced in New Delhi on May 21, 2026, focusing on regional productivity cooperation and sustainable development. The meeting facilitated leadership transitions, the conferment of national productivity awards, and strategic deliberations on the APO Vision 2030. Key administrative actions included the approval of financial reports and the preliminary budget for the 2027–28 biennium, with the event concluding on May 22, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Inaugural Vision and Strategic Reforms**
* Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal defined modern productivity as a combination of resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth.
* The APO Vision 2030 and associated strategic reforms aim to strengthen institutional cooperation and outcomes-based development across member economies.
* Emphasis was placed on digital transformation, green productivity, and capability building to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs.
* **Leadership Transitions**
* Prof. Anwar Sanusi (APO Director for Indonesia) assumed the position of APO Chair for 2026–27, succeeding Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia of India.
* The Acting APO Directors for Iran and Japan were appointed as the First Vice Chair and Second Vice Chair, respectively.
* **National and Special Recognition Awards**
* **APO National Award for Productivity Advocates:** Awarded to Mr. Ashok Panjwani (BEIL Infrastructure Limited).
* **APO National Award for Productivity Technical Expert:** Awarded to Mr. Bakul Limbasiya (Bhathwari Technologies Pvt. Ltd.).
* **NPC Special Recognition Awards:** Granted to Ms. Vidushi Mittal (Kalaaai Studio), Ms. Anshul Malhotra (Krishna Wool), and Mr. Akhand Pratap Singh (Vymanik Aerospace Technologies Pvt. Ltd.).
* **Administrative and Financial Oversight**
* The Governing Body reviewed and adopted annual and financial reports and appointed new auditors.
* Deliberations were held regarding the APO preliminary budget for the 2027–28 biennium and the implementation of governance reforms.
* Discussions included the participation of non-member countries in APO initiatives.
**Impact Analysis**
**APO Member Economies**
**Impact:** These nations benefit from a unified strategy for socioeconomic development and shared productivity-driven transformation models.
**Action Required:** Member economies must implement the recommendations of the APO Vision 2030 Steering Committee and adhere to new financial reporting standards.
**Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)**
**Impact:** MSMEs are positioned to receive enhanced support through digital transformation and green productivity initiatives aimed at increasing their resilience.
**Action Required:** MSMEs should align with National Productivity Council (NPC) capability-building programs to improve competitiveness.
**Productivity Champions and Technical Experts**
**Impact:** Recognition through national awards validates their contributions to sustainable development and encourages regional innovation.
**Action Required:** Awardees and experts are expected to continue driving technical excellence and advocating for productivity-led growth in their respective sectors.
**National Productivity Council (NPC) India**
**Impact:** As the host and a key coordinator, the NPC reinforces its role in promoting a productivity culture through training and research.
**Action Required:** The NPC must continue its focus on measurable outcomes to strengthen regional and national economic growth.
Key Entities Referenced
Asian Productivity Organization (APO): A premier intergovernmental organization focused on improving productivity for sustainable socioeconomic development in the Asia-Pacific region.
National Productivity Council (NPC): An autonomous organization under DPIIT responsible for promoting productivity culture in India and hosting the APO Governing Body Meeting.
APO Vision 2030: A strategic framework and policy document guiding governance reforms, institutional cooperation, and outcomes-based development for member economies.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): The primary government department overseeing the National Productivity Council and coordinating regional productivity enhancement efforts.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
New Delhi Hosts 68th APO Governing Body
Meeting with Focus on Regional Productivity
Cooperation
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
Posted On: 21 MAY 2026 8:21PM by PIB Delhi
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.
***
Abhishek Dayal/ Garima Singh/ Ishita Biswas
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