KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) announced that it is assisting the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) to become the first Certification Body for the Productivity Specialists Certification Scheme in the Asia-Pacific region. The role of the MPC will expand from a national-level training and certification provider to an internationally accredited certification body. The project is being executed under the Certification Body Development Project, which includes training and consultancy services to the MPC for establishing the structure, documentation, and procedures according to APO requirements.

Since its incorporation in 1992, the MPC has continuously repositioned itself to provide value-added information on productivity, quality, competitiveness, and best practices through research activities and databases; reviewed regulations and promoted Good Regulatory Practices to create a more competitive business environment; and nurtured an innovative, creative culture for productivity and competitiveness through partnership programs. Its goal is to ensure that Malaysia achieves high-income economy status by sustaining productivity growth.

At the sectoral level, the MPC undertakes initiatives to enhance organizational productivity and business performance, including training, business assessment, and recognition of productivity improvement efforts by enterprises. In 2015, the MPC set up its Recognition Management Department, which is responsible for managing certification, training, and consulting activities. Since its inception, a total of 2100 individuals have been certified as productivity leaders, practitioners, facilitators, and experts, with 500 firms registered as clients. In the near future, the MPC aims to be accredited by the APO as an internationally recognized certification body. This will allow the MPC to offer certification services to other APO member countries within the Asia-Pacific.

Note to Editors
The APO Accreditation Program is the latest in a series of initiatives to enhance the capability of national productivity organizations (NPOs) by providing recognition as certification bodies in specific productivity-oriented areas of expertise. Recognizing the competency and credibility of NPOs in member countries will build APO brand awareness, cultivate and expand a community of experts, and strengthen APO leadership in the area of productivity.

Asian Productivity Organization
The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) is an intergovernmental organization committed to improving productivity in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1961, the APO contributes to the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region through policy advisory services, acting as a think tank, and undertaking smart initiatives in the industry, agriculture, service, and public sectors.

The APO is shaping the future of the region by assisting member economies in formulating national strategies for enhanced productivity and through a range of institutional capacity-building efforts, including research and centers of excellence in member countries.

APO Members: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Republic of China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Source: Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Yoko Fujimoto
Information & Public Relations
Tel: 03-3830-0411
Fax: 03-5840-5322
Email: rhakozaki@apo-tokyo.org/yfujimoto@apo-tokyo.org
About the APO (www.apo-tokyo.org)

--BERNAMA