The Pakistan Association of Printing and Graphic Arts Industry (Papgai) has signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU) with the printing associations of China and Sri Lanka to enhance mutual co-operation with them.
It has also made arrangements for training of Pakistani printers with the co-operation of Japan's Association of Graphic Arts Technology (Jagat).
This was stated by the Papgai Chairman Abdul Aziz Gauba while addressing the seventh international exhibition of printing, publishing, packaging and graphic arts held at the Karachi Expo Centre here on Friday.
The three-day exhibition, which was opened by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Khalid Feroze in the absence of Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui, who could not make it for some other engagements.
It has stalls from 100 national and foreign companies.
The Papgai Chairman demanded of the government to withdraw sales tax on books and magazines and reduce customs duty on import of paper and paperboard, printing machines and accessories to help develop the indigenous printing industry, which had made tremendous progress comparable to any developed country.
He, however, regretted that there had been no co-operation or incentive from the government for the development made by the industry.
He warned that if the printing rates in the country were not made reasonable through reduction in taxes and customs duty, the companies might think of getting printing work done in India or Dubai.
The mass education campaigns, launched by President Musharraf and the Punjab and Sindh Chief Ministers, could not bring any results unless the low-priced books were made available to the common man, he added.
The Papgai Chairman said that the association would soon start a printing technology institute in Karachi for which initial work had been started.
He said the Papgai had suggested changes in laws and printing legislation, especially in the new Press Ordinance to remove lacunae in the laws so that printing presses could not be held accountable for the mistakes or errors made by publishers and editors.
Gauba requested the government to make registration with Papgai compulsory for all those who wished to obtain a licence for running a printing press.
Inaugurating the exhibition, KCCI President Khalid Feroze said that such exhibitions not only brought the manufacturers and buyers under one roof, but also played a vital role in the development of an industry.
He called for improving the quality of products along with its nice presentation in attractive packing, which would fetch good price.
He assured of all-out Chamber's support in taking up the industry's problems with the government and getting them resolved.
He lauded the setting up of a printing institute by Papgai, and said that the skill was equally important with education to prepare competent workers and managers for an industry.
Exhibition Committee Chairman Saeed Presswala, Lahore Papgai Vice Chairman Muhammad Pervez and Zarqa Abid also spoke on the occasion.
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