Printing SA, in partnership with member companies in the Cape Chamber, Novus Group, CGI Graphics and Tandym Print, hosted plant tours with WESGRO in Cape Town on 17 October 2024 and showcased the industry to these stakeholders, in an effort to garner much needed support from government and its agencies in the region.
Presentations were made by Novus Board Member and Maskew Miller Learning CEO Keshri Alwar, CGI Graphics Managing Director Shaun Rosenstein, and Tandym Print Managing Director Jerome Morkel. The presentations were well received and highlighted the immense capabilities and plight in light of the challenges faced by the industry in the Western Cape. The diverse range of printing applications on display at each member company was a bold statement in showcasing an industry that is robust and technologically advanced to ensure that pace is kept with international competitors.
It furthermore cemented the fact that the sector is one of the largest employers of women, youth and persons with disabilities with the ability to create even more capacity should certain policies in government change and new ones be enacted.
On 18 October 2024, Printing SA hosted a business breakfast forum for members in the region alongside representatives from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT), WESGRO and City of Cape Town at the WESGRO Offices. Printing SA made a presentation delivered by Director: Technical, Training and Business Development, Zayed Bagus highlighting the state of the industry and the urgent need for a more comprehensive partnership with government in the region.
WESGRO, DTIC and DEDAT had an opportunity to present their service offering which applicable to the industry and this was welcomed by members in attendance. Members had an opportunity to engage these stakeholders in a Q&A, where they highlighted concerns over the port delays that were being experience in the region as well as nationally, the lack of grants and incentives available for expansion and capital projects and the cumbersome processes that are riddled with red tape when trying to establish themselves as vendors on the cities supplier databases.
‘This was a rare opportunity for the region to engage at this level and we are pleased to have been able to facilitate this interaction, which has now allowed us to leverage the contacts we have established through our stakeholders and ensure that we continue to lobby for more favourable terms both financially and non-financially for our industry in the region to thrive. We look forward to hosting our members in these robust discussions and debates around the country, as we continue to drive the agenda towards formulating a much needed industry master plan,’ said Abisha Katerere, head of marketing and business development at Printing SA.
PRINTING SA
+27 11 287 1160
info@printingsa.org
http://www.printingsa.org
