KARACHI, Sept 5: Pakistan Association of Printing and Graphic Arts Industry (Papgai) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Printing Association of China and Sri Lanka for enhancing mutual co-operation. Papgai 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 Chairman Papgai Abdul Aziz Gauba while talking to newsman at the 7th International Pakprint 2005 exhibition of printing, publishing, packaging and graphic arts being held at Karachi Expo Centre from September 3 to 5.

The three-day exhibition was inaugurated by President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Khalid Feroze.

The exhibition has stalls from 100 national and 10 foreign companies. Thirty foreign delegates are also participating in the exhibition.

The Papgai Chairman demanded withdrawal of sales tax on books and magazines and reduced customs duty on import of paper and paperboard, printing machines and accessories to help develop the indigenous printing industry which, he said, 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 feared 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.

Gauba said the association would soon start a printing technology institute in Karachi for which initial work had been started.

He said Papgai had suggested changes in laws and printing legislation, especially in the new Press Ordinance to remove lacunae that printing press 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 license for running a printing press.

—APP