AB"Diary

AB'S DIARY

Mar 2011 Lesson to be learnt The natural calamities that recently struck Japan highlighted the need for International co-operation and having a world market perspective A few months ago, representatives of screen printing associations from across the globe had visited India for the SPI 2010 / ASGA India 2010 exhibition. Language and cultural barriers notwithstanding, we really had a great time interacting with each other because at the end of the day, all of us shared a common goal - furthering the cause of screen printing. The industry that provides our bread and butter is also our passion and that is what really unites members of each nation’s representative association wherever and whenever we meet up. This is why the natural calamities that recently impacted Japan - the earthquake and Tsunami - coupled with the resultant damage, destruction, loss of life and property have perhaps affected us more than they would otherwise have. We could remember specific faces and names of industry colleagues and that made us relate to their suffering that much more. Naturally our immediate response was an email of support on behalf of SGAI to our JSPDA colleagues. It was our way of telling them that while we recognise and admire their resilience, they should not feel alone during this time of crisis. It also brought home the fact that the concept of International co-operation is not just a punch line to be used during speeches. It is a feeling within our hearts, which ensures that there is someone to fall back on when a country faces natural disasters. I remember how some Japanese designers showcased their creations at an apparel fashion event in Mumbai, India the day after the disaster struck their home country. They too realised that the need of the hour was not to break down under difficult circumstances but to achieve their primary purpose, namely showcasing Japan and its abilities abroad. This again highlights the need to keep a world market perspective. Japan will recover faster from its setbacks because it has made the entire world its market. At the risk of sounding repetitive, this is again something that I have been championing at various SGAI forums as well. Instead of fighting with each other for a share of the domestic pie, let us raise quality benchmarks, broaden our horizons and target International business assignments while promoting ‘Brand India’. There is everything to gain and nothing to lose from keeping an open mindset and looking beyond borders. That is how Japan will bounce back from the problems it is facing at present. Do we want something positive to emerge from the recent events ? If yes, then fostering international co-operation and keeping a global market view are the key lessons to be learnt by all members of the screen printing community worldwide. "It also brought home the fact that the concept of International co-operation is not just a punch line to be used during speeches. It is a feeling within our hearts, which ensures that there is someone to fall back on when a country faces natural disasters." Anil Brahmbhatt.

screen print india february

AB'S DIARY

Feb 2011 Lets head for China in April CSPIA Expo 2011 will be held concurrently with two other relevant exhibitions so there are tremendous opportunities for the Indian screen printing community Right from my very fi rst column in this publication, I have always emphasised that we need to look beyond borders. If we restrict ourselves to doing business only within India and compete only with each other, the industry simply cannot grow. However, to do that we need to be aware of global standards, new technologies, machines launched, and so on. Again, this cannot be done sitting in the closed confi nes of our offices. Yes, thanks to the Internet you can easily search for things on Google. But there is nothing like actually seeing a running machine in a top class exhibition. To discuss new technologies that you may never have even heard of and therefore, would not know how to search for. To understand how inks and substrates can literally create magic, you need to see samples printed in front of your eyes. For all this, we have to visit International exhibitions. Agreed, there is a high cost involved. But then look at it this way, that amount spent is not expenditure; it is an investment that will drive the future growth of your company. If you can visit an exhibition that has other relevant exhibitions running concurrently, it is even better. These are some of the reasons why I feel that more and more people from the Indian screen printing community need to head for China in April 2011. The 28th China International Screen Print Expo organised by CSPIA will be held from April 9-13, 2011 at Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center (GDE). The venue is well equipped with modern facilities and will also be hosting the China Textile Printing and Apparel Decoration Expo together with the 2011 China Print Expo, which is the biggest and most important Expo of China Printing and Packaging Industry in 2011. SGAI is supporting the event and I exhort all members to form a delegation for this tri-event opportunity. James Wang, General Secretary, CSPIA, has invited us all to visit the Expo. He has shared that since 1986, CSPIA has organized ‘China International Screen Print & Digital Technology Expo’ annually. It is a well-known industrial show for China Screen and Specialty Printing Industry. Most world's leading manufacturers and suppliers participated in CSPIA Expo. It has also seen a strong attraction to the visitors from both China and the world. Guangdong has become a significant printing centre in the world, owning a grand total of 20,000 printing companies, which together represent one third of China’s total printing industrial GDP. In my mind, this is a golden opportunity that should not be missed under any circumstances. I look forward to meeting more fellow Indian screen printing community members at China this April. Bon Voyage ! "CSPIA has organized ‘China International Screen Print & Digital Technology Expo’ annually. It is a well-known industrial show for China Screen and Specialty Printing Industry. Most world's leading manufacturers and suppliers participated in CSPIA Expo." Anil Brahmbhatt.