The Hindu Business Line : Printers urged to upgrade tech

THE Minister of State for Large and Medium-scale Industries, Mr R.V. Deshpande, has urged small-scale industrialists to upgrade their technology to meet challenges in a competitive world.

He was speaking at the "Karavali Print Fest 2004" organised by the Karavali Printers' Association in Mangalore. He said small-scale industries, especially in the printing sector, should stress on improving their quality. Constant research in the field would help provide more quality products.

Referring to the industrial policies of the State, he said that there is a huge difference between the policies of 1996 and 2001. The 1996 policy gave thrust on providing concession and incentives to the industries in the State. The 2001 policy gave prominence for upgradation of industrial units, highlighted the need for research in those units, and accorded importance to human resource development, he said.

Referring to the printing industry, the Minister said that it stands third after IT-enabled service and pharmaceutical industries in revenue earning. The country has earned Rs 2,500 crore export revenue from this sector. This sector has an annual turnover of Rs 50,000 crore, he said.

The advancement in printing technology has helped in providing employment to a large number of people, he added.

The Dharmadhikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, Dr D. Veerendra Heggade, felicitated Mr T. Satish U. Pai, Managing Director of Manipal Media Network, with "Mudrana Ratna" award.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Heggade said that quality service would yield good results, and lauded the efforts of Manipal Media Network in providing quality service to its customers.

Printers from Karnataka, Goa, and northern Kerala are participating in the three-day exhibition.Earlier, the President of Karnataka Small Industries Association, Bangalore, Mr Janardhan, who inaugurated the printers' convention on the occasion, said that there are nearly 12,000 printing units in Karnataka. More than 92 per cent of the units had switched over from letterpress units to offset units.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Balachandra, President of the Karnataka Offset Printers' Association, said that such exhibitions should help educate those working in printing units.

More than 50 stalls have been set up at the exhibition venue.

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