Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Saturday Sep 21, 2024
Friday, 16 March 2018 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Charumini de Silva
Skills Development and Vocational Training Minister Chandima Weerakkody said the impending trade agreements with India and China may pose a threat to the printing industry of Sri Lanka and insisted the local stakeholders to be geared by right talent, skills and technology advancements to confront any challenge.
“The printing industry may suffer to some extent as a result of the trade agreements with India and China. You must be ready for any possible challenges to compete with other players in the region,” he said, at the inauguration of the biennial National Print Conference themed ‘Going Global’ organised by Sri Lanka Association of Printers (SLAP) in Colombo yesterday.
He said active participation of professional organisations was crucial, especially in terms of speaking up against certain decisions of the Government that may affect local industries.
“I request this association to look at such possible issues that may come across and to take precautionary steps. As a Government, we are quite open for perspectives. We can take you towards a brighter future, provided that all stakeholders in the industry team up, share experience and get international exposure,” he added.
The Minister highlighted the importance of continuous interaction with stakeholders to make available talent that is relevant to the industries, noting that lack of skilled labour was a major constraint in improving many sectors in the economy at present.
“We are taking steps to encourage the youth to enter the printing industry. We already have a Printing School run jointly by Ministry and Government Printer, where printing is taught for a livelihood. It is a self-funded venture under the Skills Development and Vocational Training Ministry. We hope to expand the number of such training centres across the country. We have a couple of printing schools under the Vocational Training Authority (VTA) as well,” he stated.
However, Weerakkody said very often students who are trained at these institutes were not acceptable in line with the requirements of the industry. “We must build a mechanism to attract talent that is required by industries. I urge setting up of a committee and continued interaction with the Ministry and the industry,” he added.
Pointing out that a sense of direction was a serious concern which needed to be addressed immediately, especially when it comes to attracting fresh blood into the printing industry, he emphasised: “Our youth are technically very sound, but not many are aware of the possibilities of printing. Printing is something very important for all of us; personally, officially, financially and economically from birth to death. As professionals, it is important to create awareness among youngsters on the importance of this industry to become successful entrepreneurs.”
He also urged the President of SLAP to get industry stakeholders to participate at international and regional conferences to share and learn from various countries.
“You all must be ready to adopt the fast-changing technologies to make best use them for the advancement of the printing industry. If you can attract fresh talent, technology and international exposure, Sri Lanka’s printing sector could be a new global business model,” he expressed.
This year the resource panel included Dr. Ravi Fernando speaking on ‘The Global Challenge for Sustainability of Packaging,’ Mário César Martins de Camargo from Brazil on ‘The Competition to the Print Industry,’ K.R. Ravindran, former International Rotary President and CEO of Printcare Plc, on ‘The Business of Printing,’ Sampath Aluthpatabadige on ‘Human Potential Management for Sustainable Business Enterprise’ and Chandi Rambukpotha of Hi-Fashion from Hirdaramani Group on ‘Our Commitment for Compliance to Environment’.
Prof. Rajendrakumar Anayath, Vice Chancellor of Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology, Haryana, India who chairs the judging committee of Sri Lanka Print Excellence Awards 2018 delivered a lecture on ‘Print Excellence’.
Sri Lanka Print 2018 exhibition and trade fair will commence today (16 March) and will go on till 18 March, highlighting the availability of new technology, modern machinery, and new trends in digital printing, innovative print designs, and creative productions of the industry, while providing prospects for exhibitors, customers and visitors. The exhibition and trade fair will feature over 30 international stalls along with large foreign participation.
The curtain will come down on the print industry mega show with the Print Excellence Gala Awards Night to felicitate and recognise the printers of Sri Lanka on 18 March at Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo under the patronage of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
“One of the main focuses of this year’s exhibition will be the introduction of printing as a career path for young school-leavers and guiding them to take advantage of the many opportunities offered and available in this field,” SLAP President Ranjith Fernando.
He said every possible step would be taken to make this a meeting place for suppliers to the printing industry and the printers and expose them to new products, processes and modern efficient technologies as well as to establish contacts and get to know each other.
Pic by Ruwan Walpola
