International forum to help modernize printing industry

Despite the economic importance of the printing industry, a confluence of obstacles ranging from high cost, and lack of skills and technology hinder the industry from realizing its full potentials.

There seems to be light at the end of the tunnel as Filipino printers can get a taste of the latest printing know-how in the 10th Forum of Asian-Pacific Graphic Arts Technology (FAGAT) which opened last Sept. 28 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila.

Hosted by the Philippine Printing Technical Foundation (PPTF) Inc., the three-day international event bears the theme, “The Printing and Graphic Arts Industry in the Globalization Era.” The nine-country forum will discuss topics on standardization, trends in digital printing, intellectual property, and issues and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

“FAGAT is a forum where Asian printers can complement each other through shared technologies and expertise in a globally-competitive market,” says Rolando Rocha, PPTF first vice-president and chair of the FAGAT organizing committee.

The group is composed of Japan, China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

The gathering will feature country reports on the printing industry, as well as inputs from printing experts, namely Rob de Louw of DDS-Asia Hub, Frits Beurskens of Asian Printmedia Consultancy Group, Dr. Jules Farkas of Do Well Swiss International Ltd., Kenny Lai of Sapura Imaging, and Jeffrey Protheroe of Kodak. The Forum runs till tomorrow, Sept. 30.

The printing industry is expected to grow next year due to the upward trend of allied industries like advertising, tourism, hospitality business, service sectors and preparations for the 2010 general elections.

The Board of Investments recently granted a five-year tax holiday to investors and tax incentives to printing importers when industry leaders wrote President Arroyo for government intervention.

The Philippine Star is the official media partner of the event.