PrintPak Expo opens: printing and graphic arts industry to grow further: KCCI chief

President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Muffasar Atta Malik, said that Pakistan has great potential for the growth of printing and graphic arts industry; PRINTPAK 2017 is the great platform for the networking of local and international companies. He was addressing as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of 26th edition of PrintPak, the Printing and Graphic Arts exhibition being organized from 18th to 20th of November 2017 at Karachi Expo Center, Pakistan.
President KCCI assured full support to the industry and said that members of the industry will use its platform to raise industry issues and will help them grow so that our products can compete and take share in the world. Foreign countries' stalls and participation is laudable and providing them opportunities to showcase their products and services to the world. Earlier, Dr. S.M. Minhajuddin, chairman PAPGAI, said on the occasion that despite the sheer size of printing and graphic arts industry, which is about US$4.5 billion in Pakistan and 2nd largest industry, providing employment to over 2 million workers is facing difficulties in the country.
He said we should decide whether we should move forward for a manufacturing base or for a trading base industry since it is cheaper to get our products printed abroad than printing them in the country. The governments have failed in reducing taxes imposed on paper and raw material to enhance the exports of printing and graphic arts industry, he said
"It is astonishing that around 50 per cent duty and taxes have been imposed on raw material while duty on paper is the highest in the world. This issue is hurting our industry and it should be addressed on priority basis. Government should support value added industry," he added. "The government should provide relaxation on taxation and duties for the growth of the industry, which is already providing employment opportunities to around 2 million people working in 15,000 printing presses and binding houses across the country," he said.
Salman Haroon, Chairman of PrintPak Exhibition Committee said PrintPak 2017 Exhibition would be far bigger and better from all the past exhibitions, as we continue to improve with every passing year with more efforts and experience. Companies and foreign delegates from around the world are participating in the exhibition; these companies are from USA, Australia, China, Germany, UK, Bangladesh, Heidelberg, Indonesia, New Zealand and other regions.
Some 80 companies are taking part in the exhibition with 20 international firms of 9 countries. Around 13 companies from USA, 6 from China and 2 companies from UK have major participation in the exhibition. PrintPak is being jointly organized by apex body of Printing and Graphic arts Industry, the PAPGAI and Badar expo Solutions.