APO to promote sustainable enterprise in Laos
APO to promote sustainable enterprise in Laos
Entrepreneurs and government representatives from 19 member countries of the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) gathered for a four day meeting in Vientiane to discuss the sustainability of business operations.
This year, Laos had the honour to host the entrepreneurship and partnership workshop organised by the Asian Productivity Organisation, which runs from December 15-18 in Vientiane.
At the workshop, participants shared and exchanged lessons and experiences from different countries in enhancing and developing good entrepreneurship and partnership between the concerned private sector and government department actors.
In other words the enterprises have to exchange data and information with the concerned agencies and fellow businesses, so that they are better able to gauge the sustainability of their business operations.
The participating government officials and business investors had the chance to share their ideas and experience as well as learn from visiting experts from Japan.
Apart from exchanging theory in the classroom session, participants also visited the enterprises that had enjoyed success in their businesses in order to exchange and discuss with fellow speakers and participants from member countries.
In addition, the results of sustainable business operators selected as examples by the APO were disseminated amongst the participants in Laos.
During the forum, it was highlighted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play an increasingly important role in national economies and provide an income base to large numbers of people through the sheer number of employees they hire.
In Laos, for example, SMEs now account for some 23 percent of revenues flowing from profits taxes and salary taxes levied on businesses, according to last year's figures. They also employ 82 percent of the labour force.
In 2010, labourers in factories comprised more than 750,000 people but in 2013 this had decreased to around 570,000 people, according to the National Statistics Centre.
While there was no one clear reason for the decline, the main factors cited were industrial workers relocating abroad for better wages as well as others opening their own businesses.
This indicates that some former industrial workers, once they become sufficiently skilled, would prefer to open their own small or medium enterprises rather than continue working in the large factories.
Laos became a member of the APO in the year 2002, more than 10 years ago. Since that time, Laos has gained more benefits from cooperation efforts, such as technology transfers which enhance the process of productivity and the provision of consultancy services.
Laos has received grants from APO to uplift knowledge via training courses within and outside the country, valued at approximately US$300,000 per annum.
The key enhancements in productivity have taken place at model factories or companies through the consultancy services provided by APO experts, not only to local consultants of the Lao National Productivity Organisation but also to private factories or companies.
The APO has also provided support to food supply chain management for food safety initiatives in Laos.
The Asian Productivity Organisation is an inter-govermental organisation between the governments in the Asia-Pacific region, which was established according to the convention in May 1961. The APO has its own secretariat, which is located in Tokyo.
