Vast global market beckons Bangladesh printing sector BSCIC to set up printing industrial estate

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Ismail Hossain Printing industry leaders and the government together have taken a number of uplift measures for the sector to move along global standards including setting up an industrial estate, said sources close to the specialised field. The new industrial zone named 'BSCIC Printing Industrial Estate' will be set up at Kayain Union under Boroborta Mouja in Sirajdikhan Upazila of Munshiganj district, said Abu Taher Khan, General Manager (Planning) of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), who is looking after the matter. The project profile is being prepared by BSCIC planning division and an 'Memorandum of Understanding' will be singed after Eid-ul-Azha, said AFM Shah Alam, general secretary of Bangladesh Mudron Shilpa Samity. He said the printing industry in Bangladesh has huge potential to become the second highest foreign exchange earning sector, after that of the ready-made garments. AFM Shah Alam said besides this, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has included 'printing' in the country's exportable products' list seeing its enormous potential in the world market, for which Bangladesh Mudron Shilpa Samity has been putting in its efforts since 2000. He said, "Now China and India are bagging most of the international printing orders. The world printing destination can easily be Bangladesh as there are only a few countries in the world that can offer cheap printed products -- which is something we can perform." "In the meantime, we have received some queries from different countries including the United Kingdom," he said. Khadiza Begum, Deputy General Manager (Planning) of BSCIC, told the FE that Tk 1.9 billion's worth projects would be implemented under 10:90 Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis. Some 419 plots will be made on the proposed 50 acres of land, and BSCIC would develop infrastructure such as electricity, water and roads. She said the estate can be expanded if needed. She added the plot categories would be A, B, C and S, and plot sizes are set to be 6000 square feet, 4000 square feet, 3000 square feet and those with odd size respectively the prices of which are yet to be fixed. Khadiza Begum said the money would be paid through 15 instalments. And the allotment process would be done by a committee to be headed by Munshiganj district commissioner. During the allotment process, the Samity's choices would be prioritised. She said after preparing the project profile (PP), which is close to finalisation, it would be sent to the Industries Ministry and then the Planning Commission. After passing the proposal in Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the project would enter the implementation process, she added saying, "The whole process will take minimum one year." AFM Shah Alam said, "We proposed to set up the Printing Industrial Estate in 2000 from Mudron Shilpa Samity and after 11 years it is going to see the light. Over the years, we have been pursuing the project. We are still trying and waiting for the project to be executed as early as possible." He said, "Printing presses contain some toxic matters which are a threat to the health and the environment. Besides, Dhaka is also getting more and more populous day by day. So, the printing presses may need to be relocated from the capital in the future." Mr. Shah Alam, who has been working in the arena of printing and publishing for 40 years, said there are over 7,000 printing houses in Bangladesh. Of them, 3,000 are in Dhaka. Around 20 million people are involved with the sector. Yet it needs more skilled manpower. "To meet the need of more skilled manpower, we have discussed with Dhaka Graphic Arts College to train printing-related people. They have agreed to do so," he said. Mr. Shah Alam said, "Mudron Shilpa Samity has set up a very modern and well-equipped secretariat in the city's Bijoy Nagar area to communicate with the people abroad, who seek printing products from any corner of the world. The Samity will also very soon go online by opening a very effective website to communicate with potential buyers from around the world. He added the printing business in Bangladesh was being hampered due to misuse of the bonding system that affects honest businesses. The 61 per cent duty on imported materials is also a huge blow to the industry. "The government should reduce it drastically as India and China do not have this tax; moreover, they enjoy 17 per cent tax facility for exporting printing goods. He said the government needs to extend easy loans to help the sector expand beyond borders. And Small and Medium Entrepreneur (SME) Foundation can do something in this connection. "Printing is capital-intensive. Nobody will make a huge investment in it for a small market like Bangladesh. So the government should come up with massive initiatives," He observed.