Pakistani organisations, especially in the industrial sector, are still facing structural weaknesses, which result in poor productivity.. Unless these organisations/industries overcome these limitations, the manufacturers will not be able to compete in the new economy of the 21st century. This was stated by National Productivity Organisation (NPO) chief Saqib Mohyuddin, while presenting a briefing to the members of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) on the topic of "Implementation of ICT as Productivity Tool in SME Sector."
He said the economic landscape in the next 10 years will be shaped by the exponential growth of information and communication technologies by accelerating pace of scientific and technological changes, increasing extent of globalisation, and changing patterns of market demand.
These forces can be threats or opportunities for organisations, depending on how they perceive and respond to them, he said, adding that organisations that have operated under the old industrial paradigm will now have to transform themselves for the new paradigm of the knowledge-based economy.
Saqib said the higher productivity is the key to improving Pakistan's competitiveness, adding that Pakistan's business establishments lack well-educated and skilled workforce to run and maintain automated and computerised machines.
He observed that the low capital investments have resulted in technological backwardness. Critical issues like progressive management techniques and work systems, positive work attitudes, good labour management relations, and teamwork are left untouched, he added.
He said that Pakistan's industrial sector had better machinery in comparison with China, but Pak productivity is 63 percent lower than China, due to unskilled labour.
To transform successfully into a productivity-driven economy, Saqib said that a concerted effort is needed to equip workforce and management with competitive technologies and skill.
With this aim, the NPO has launched a productivity movement in the country, he said, adding: "We work to bring about a mindset change to make our workforce and organisations as efficient and innovative as any in the developed countries and facilitate them to create new ideas, execute new projects, sell new products in new markets, achieve quality standards, and perform their duties in new and productive ways."
Dr N. Belvandram and D. Belmah of Belmah Strategies of Malaysia also participated in presentation. Earlier, FCCI Senior Vice President Tahir Mehmood Sheikh, Malik Mohammad Arshad, Mirza Hidayat Ullah, and Haji Mohammad Saleem also participated in the question-answer session.
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