The AIFMP is the apex body of around 150,000 printers in the country, was established in the year 1953 and draws its strength from 59 regional associations, which are affiliated to it.

According to Vinod Jain, the chairman of the AIFMP committee said: The ministry for commerce & industry has announced a Rs1,700 crore initiative to boost exports under various categories." He added: " The Indian print industry stands today as the mother industry in the country with one of the fastest growth rate of 12.5% per annum, making significant positive contribution to trade, commerce and industry, providing a powerful leverage for the economic development of the nation."

According to Jain, the print industry is poised to achieve 80% growth during the 12th five year plan and exports play a crucial role in this.

Jain stated: "It can be observed that export of printed materials from India for the year 2009-10 was only 0.51% of the total global exports in the year 2009."   

In comparison, the exports of printed materials from China amounted to 7.33% of the total global exports in the year 2009.

The AIFMP feels with adequate government support, India can become a hub for meeting the global printing requirements thereby generating increase in both earnings of foreign exchange and employment opportunities.

The AIFMP has mooted that under "the Market Linked Focus Product Scheme, Chapter 49 is included, but only for 14 destinations." The AIFMP has suggested that printed products under Chapters 4820 and 49 be included as well under the Focus Product Scheme to enable the printers to cover many more countries and thereby tap those markets as well.

For additional information, please contact: Vinod Kumar Jain - vinod@safed.in