at the Closing Ceremony of 7th Forum of Asian Graphic Arts Technology
Annual Dinner of Malaysia Printers Association
Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry
Yang Berusaha Encik Ricky Tan Soo Huat,
Chairman, Malaysia Printers Association
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to note that this is the first time that Malaysia has hosted the Forum of Asian Graphic Arts Technology since its inception and I would like to congratulate the Malaysia Printers Association for having successfully organised the event. I hope that, as a result of the discussions and deliberations by participants from the various Asian countries, exchange of printing technologies in Asia would be facilitated and there would be further progress of the print and media industry in Asia.
You would agree with me that the printing industry is one of the most important representatives of the media and information industries. Compared to the electronic media, the printed matter provides the cheapest and most direct mode of information dissemination and communication. It is most convenient and easily available. In addition, the printed word is the main medium for the packaging of food and consumer products. It has been predicted by many people that growth of the printing industry will slow down during the current decade because electronic means of communication are slowly taking over the place of printing. In reality, printing still plays an important role and there are still profitable business opportunities available in the industry. Printing will thus continue to remain an important industry worldwide.
In Malaysia, there are more than 3,000 printing companies. Even though the number of printers in Malaysia is large, the Malaysian printing and publishing industry consists mainly of small and medium scale enterprises catering to the domestic market. There are several types of printing and publishing activities undertaken such as printing of books and magazines, printing of packaging materials, newspaper publishing and printing, security printing and other miscellaneous printing activities. The sales value of the industry totaled RM 3.2 billion in 2003 while about 23,000 workers were employed.
I am pleased to note that, of the 147 companies approved with Manufacturing Licence by MITI to undertake printing and are in operation, 21 companies have invested in the Computer-to-Plate technology which involves the use of high definition and resolution scanner reprography equipment including computer-to-film and computer-to-plate processors and computer software for pagination and automation of workflow. The use of this technology has increased productivity, enhanced quality and reduced wastage.
Malaysia is presently a net importer of printing materials. Malaysia imported RM769.9 million of printed materials for the period January to November 2003. Printed books and pamphlets, mainly from USA and United Kingdom. Constituted 42.6% of Malaysia's imports. Exports of printed materials from Malaysia for the same period amounted to RM454.6 million. A substantial 70.4% of Malaysia's exports are printed books and pamphlets. The main export destinations are USA, United Kingdom and Singapore. The printing industry has been identified as a sector with good potential for further exports and investments. The Government encourages the establishment of printing projects which use modern technology and machinery and cater to the export market.
Existing Malaysian printing companies are encouraged to upgrade themselves by collaborating with established foreign partners serving globally known publications. They need to be more efficient, innovative, resourceful and service-oriented in order to carve a niche in the competitive overseas market.
Local printing companies should not just depend on overseas buyers to take the initiative in approaching Malaysian companies but must also become more active in marketing their printing services internationally. With the expanded ASEAN market under AFTA, opportunities are available to the local industry. Malaysian printers should therefore seize these opportunities by exporting their products and services to other ASEAN countries rather than just concentrating on local market. Printing companies can contact MITI and its agencies such as MIDA and MATRADE and their overseas offices for assistance in identifying markets and technology partners.
To be competitive players in the international market, local printing companies and their employees must be prepared to adapt to changes in the external environment. In order to meet the challenges ahead, they need to upgrade the skills of existing workers to enable them to adopt new technologies by sending then to attend the printing courses at certificate, diploma and degree levels available in the existing vocational institutions and institutions of higher learning in Malaysia.
On that note, I would like to thank the Association for inviting me to this dinner and I wish the Association all the best in its future undertakings.
2004/11/08 00:00:00