Recognition of Excellence in Productivity
The APO launched the productivity awards scheme in 1978 to give recognition to individuals who made outstanding contributions to the promotion and improvement of productivity in the Asia-Pacific region. It was originally conferred every three years until revised and expanded in 1985.
In commemoration of the silver (25th) anniversary of the organization, in 1986, the APO Special National Award was presented at the International Productivity Conference in Kuala Lumpur. Thereafter, the awards were reclassified, and two categories introduced: Regional and National Awards. The frequency of conferment also changed, from every three years to five.
In 2021, at the 60th anniversary of the APO, the awards were refined further to enhance their standing and expand recognition within and outside APO members. A new category, Meritorious and Distinguished, was added. The frequency of conferment was also revised. The Regional Awards are henceforth scheduled every three years, together with the new Meritorious and Distinguished, while the National ones are hereafter conferred annually.
The Regional and Meritorious and Distinguished Awards are administered by the APO Secretariat, supporting the Award selection committee comprising APO Chair, Vice Chairs, Secretary-General, and two coopted members. To give productivity center stage in APO members, the APO National Awards are administered directly by respective National Productivity Organizations.
The APO confers the Regional Award on individuals with outstanding contributions, achievements, and impact in the Asia-Pacific region in the following categories:
This award is conferred on individuals who through their work, inspiring ideas, and/or influence have made exemplary contributions enabling focused priority attention on productivity improvement leading to the centrality of productivity in national and/or regional socioeconomic development endeavors. The awards are open to any nationality in the following categories:
Two awardees from each APO member may receive the APO National Award. The criterion of eligibility is outstanding contributions, with significant impact or achievements in their countries in the following categories:
| Year | Name | Position | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Mr. K T Chandy | Chairman, Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. | APO Awards |
| 1983 | Mr. N N Wanchoo | Former Chairman, National Productivity Council | APO Awards |
| 1986 | Dr. A. N. Saxena | Former Director-General, National Productivity Council | Special National Awards |
| 1995 | Dr. M.S. Swaminathan | Chairman, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Madras | APO Regional Awards |
| 1995 | Dr. Jamshed Jiji Irani | Managing Director, Tata Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. | APO National Awards |
| 2000 | Dr. Varghese Kurien | Chairman, National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India Ltd. | APO Regional Awards |
| 2000 | Mr. Suresh Krishna | Chairman and Managing Director, Sundaram Fasteners Ltd. | APO National Awards |
| 2021 | Mr. Rupinder Singh Sodhi | Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (AMUL) | APO Regional Awards |
| 2021 | Prof. Kumanduri Ranga Chari | Dean (Students’ Welfare) & Professor, BIMTECH | APO National Awards |
| 2022 | Mr. G M Rao | Group Chairman, GMR Group | APO National Awards |
| 2022 | Prof. Pradip Kumar Ray | Emeritus Professor, IIT Kharagpur | APO National Awards |
| 2024 | Mr. Anil Kumar Manibhai Naik | Chairman Emeritus, Larsen & Toubro Limited | APO Regional Awards |
