The five important things were: India’s presence at the Forum of Asian Graphic Arts Technology (FAGAT); Pamex 2011; Romancing Print; pre-budget memorandum; All India Printers’ Directory.

We kicked off with international meetings at Forum of Asian Graphic Arts Technology (FAGAT) held in Sydney, Australia where Indian print industry was represented for the first time at the twelfth FAGAT held in Sydney from 4-6 May 2011.

The next edition of FAGAT will be held in India for the first time on Printer’s Day 24 February 2012 followed by Romancing Print by AIFMP on the next day. Here we got to interact and know about the print industries of China, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia and other countries. The conference sent out a very positive message towards the Indian market. Especially when confidentiality of a product and adhering to contracts is involved. This is where India has an edge over China in the European market. These countries receive benefits from the government related to environment and trade.

I have identified that we need to get a similar support. If print industry gets the rightful status then our difficulties will be easier to address. In China there is a ministry for printing. In India we don’t have that. And finally after a lot of effort from AIFMP we have one person in MSME and commerce industry through whom we can start addressing our difficulties.

We will be preparing a pre-budget memorandum which will be presented to the government. For example, in terms of print sectors, the perception is that because of Baddi, Uttaranchal, Himachal; the nearby print industry especially the North India belt like Jammu, Jalandhar and Ludhiana is suffering. In terms of the product where print is involved, there is a gimmick in taxation. For corrugated box the government has a duty of 5%. For folding cartons made from duplex around 10%. But, for corrugated box with duplex board on the top the duty still remains 5%. Se we cannot understand this logic and hence are going with a strong voice to the government. There has to be an equal ground for the print industry to function and this will only be possible  if the government listens to us.

The Print Summit was initiated by me four to five years ago in Mumbai. I wanted to do similar events all across the country. That’s how Romancing Print was born. It was a grand success. The surprising thing to see was the number of young entrepreneurs present at the conference. They came in full attendance.

Such conferences should happen in Bengaluru, Chennai and elsewhere in the country. The objective is to bring together the ideas from the next generation and share them to benefit. What BMPA is doing with its Share-to-Benefit forum is wonderful. I will always endorse such initiatives.

NAEP 2011
The focus at NAEP this year was print recognition. Personally I have learnt a lot from PrintWeek India Awards. The change was initiated in a small way. 1,970 entries submitted by 127 Indian print firms created a record for the highest number of entries ever received for NAEP awards. This time the NAEP was held at Bengaluru for the first time in association with Karnataka State Printer’s Association.

These awards are given to printers who have brought new ideas and a different approach to product development by working in tandem with their strength and expertise in print. Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj, who was the guest of honour presented the awards. Also present on the occasion were MLA Vijaykumar and Vijaykumar Chopra, chairman and managing director of Punjab Kesari group. Bharawaj’s "print media cannot be replaced" echoed in the auditorium to a round of applause from printers all over India.  

Pamex 2011
The eighth edition of Pamex is a sold out show and the biggest that it will ever be with 6,200 sq/mtrs of net floor space already booked. Pamex will display a good mix of both digital and offset technologies. Ricoh India and Heidelberg India have booked a combined space of 900 sq/mtrs at Pragati Maidan showcasing live demo of machinery. This will be apart from the space for Heidelberg’s Print Media Academy to host training sessions. Nearly hundred printers from Sri Lanka will be attending Pamex this year.

All the major digital manufacturers like HP, Xerox, Canon, Konica Minolta, Kodak have booked huge stalls. So has Komori and KBA. The list of exhibitors at Pamex reflect the trends in the printing industry of India.

There will be a 16-page daily newsletter called PamexDaily which PrintWeek India will produce and the printing for which will happend at the Kodak stall. This is the first time Pamex is taking such a initiative. Through the PamexDaily and Pamex daily e-bulletin we want visitors coming to the show to get all the latest news from the show on all four days.