FG Urges Public Agencies to Patronise Local Digital Printing Solutions

By James Emejo in Abuja

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, yesterday urged all institutions of government as well as members of the business community to increase their patronage at the local printing shop and press, particularly those with cutting edge digital printing technology to help get the economy back on tack.

He said such move would help to strengthen the local print industry and reduce the burden of scarce foreign exchange which leaves the country as well as promote foreign direct investment into the country, thereby creating jobs.

Speaking in Abuja at the opening of the 4th Digital Print Solution Expo, themed: ‘Exceeding your business expectation’ which was organised by SkySat Techonologies Nigeria Limited, he said though the Nigerian printing industry had been around for a long time, growing into a multi-billion naira industry with various sizes of printing companies across the country, the quality of print remained low, a development which according to him encouraged many firms to still engage in printing abroad. 

“And we know the reason is not far-fetched, it’s all about quality,”he said.

He said the federal government is committed to strengthening both foreign and local companies with programmes geared towards stimulating the economy and getting back on track with relevant regulation, policies and infrastructure.

He added that government was creating an enabling environment to make it easy for businesses to operate seamlessly in in the country and reducing the number of multiple taxes that hamper the growth of businesses.

Represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Alhaji Aminu Bisala, the Minister, therefore urged SkySat and other companies to take advantage of government’s determination to improve the business environment and increase their investments in the country.

Enelamah said: “A number of these publishers, I believe will surely come and patronise this laudable investment that we have at our door step in Nigeria. This exhibition therefore, will go a long way to create opportunities for Nigerian entrepreneurs and investors in the printing business to have access to the latest technology and solution in digital printing, thereby leading to increased capacity for better print production.

“And I dare to say in a very short time, there will be no need for most of these firms traveling abroad to achieve the same objective when they can easily source it cheaper at home.”

SkySat is the preferred partner and sole distributor of Konica Minolta digital print solutions in Nigeria and Ghana.

Managing Director/Chief Executive, SkySat, Mr. Izzat Debs, said the exhibition was part of the company’s plan to consolidate and grow its market share in the office documentation and digital printing sector and to support efforts of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to attract foreign direct investment into the country and reduce capital flight as well as create jobs for unemployed Nigerians.