Govt backs printing industry in drive for global recognition

BANGKOK: -- The government is providing full support for Thailand's printing industry in a bid to boost Thailand's share on the global market for print products, a senior Industry Ministry official revealed today.

The announcement was made by Mr. Panpree Phahithanukul, Vice Minister for Industry, who this morning presided over the opening of the AsiaPack AsiaPrint exhibition at the BITEC exhibition centre.

Noting that the printing industry was one of the strategic industries being supported by the government, Mr. Panpree said that this year Thailand hoped to earn USD250 million from printing and packaging exports this year, tripling to USD750 million next year.

The government was also trying to support packaging for goods made by small and medium enterprises, particularly under the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) scheme in order to add value to the products.

The exhibition, which will run until 5 June, includes booths showing the innovations of 370 printing companies from 14 countries, including China, Taiwan, the UK, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Italy and the US. It is expected that the event will see 45,000 visitors, with revenue of over Bt1 billion.

The global packaging market is seen as a huge growth industry, currently valued at USD28.6 billion each year. Thailand currently holds a five percent share of the world packaging market.

--TNA 2005-06-02

George do you think that is good news for small to mindium size companies. I am just in the process of estabishing my own company in Asia based here. Specialising in print, prepress and brand managment.

Marketing has become a problem as most blue chips go for the cheapest option although they may not be the best, it seems good quality fall into second place.

www.pacificpack.com