Cambodia, Nepal receive development and productivity roadmaps

APO-backed plans handed over to governments for implementation.

Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) member economies Cambodia and Nepal have received new roadmaps from APO in support of their national development. Both Cambodia and Nepal are looking to change their status from the "least developed country" designation.

Cambodia's government, which received its APO-backed National Productivity Master Plan in 2018, was recently handed the Institutional Capability Development Plan (ICDP) for the National Productivity Centre of Cambodia (NPCC).

Through 10 reform actions and a three-year capability pathway, the ICDP seeks to improve service effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, and results-based management whilst strengthening institutional and governance foundations as well as organisational systems and human capabilities.

APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata (pictured left), referring to the Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MISTI), commented: "The true value of this development plan will depend on implementation.

"With sustained leadership from MISTI, strong ownership by the NPCC, adequate human and financial resources, effective partnerships, and disciplined monitoring of progress, the NPCC can further strengthen its role as Cambodia's national productivity institution and make a deeper contribution to the country's long-term competitiveness, innovation, and prosperity."

The ICDP was received by H.E. Hem Vanndy (pictured right), MISTI Minister, during an official handover ceremony in Phnom Penh.

The event in Cambodia took place eight days after the Nepalese government received its own APO-supported productivity roadmap, which is the National Productivity Master Plan for Nepal 2026–2036.

The 10-year master plan for Nepal is based on targets to improve the business-enabling environment in the country, accelerate innovation-led modernisation, build competitiveness and economic complexity, and increase productivity through climate resilience and inclusion.

The APO Secretary-General noted: "Nepal has an opportunity to demonstrate that productivity is not merely a technocratic exercise but a national pathway to stronger competitiveness, greater economic resilience, and shared prosperity.

"By translating this master plan into concrete action, Nepal can build a more productive, innovative, and inclusive future for generations to come.

Krishna Bahadur Raut (APO Director for Nepal and Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies) expressed full commitment in institutionalising the recommendations set out in the productivity plan.

"The Ministry, alongside the NPEDC (National Productivity and Economic Development Centre), will spearhead the coordination, cross-governmental collaboration, and monitoring mechanisms required to bring these strategic thrusts to life," he said.

Aimed at increasing productivity in Asia Pacific, the APO was established in 1961 as an intergovernmental organisation. Its other member economies include Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, and Vietnam.