Printing and Packaging Committee

The Printing and Packaging Committee was established in October, 2003 in response to an immediate need to represent the interests of this sector to the Government in preparation for negotiations under the proposed trading bloc of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA).

Originally, the Committee was called the Printing and Publishing Sector Group, in keeping with the FTAA negotiating group and members of the Committee comprised representatives from the industry invited by the Chamber to be part of the process. Commercial printing was categorised by the FTAA as a Service, and as such was isolated from Packaging, which was represented by the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA).

The original purpose for bringing the sector representatives together was to develop an Advocacy Paper outlining the industry’s position with respect to the FTAA negotiations, which was submitted to Government.

The submission of the FTAA Advocacy Paper in March 2004, led to greater recognition on the part of the government of the work of the sector, and in the 2004-2005 National Budget, the Prime Minister targeted the sector as one of seven “specific areas for further commercial expansion”.

Parallel to the development of the report, a new interest in the rebirth of a Printing Association was awakened, and participants agreed that despite the fiercely competitive nature of this industry, there were sufficient issues of common interest to establish a standing committee. Critical issues identified as affecting the sector were availability of skilled and unskilled labour, the movement of labour, professional / vocational training and certification, the need to undertake a comprehensive salaries survey for the industry, bad debts, ethical practices, costing and financing.

The Committee has achieved the following to date:
•    In 2004, a salaries survey was conducted. There are plans to do this on a periodic basis.
•    Members drafted a (voluntary) Code of Ethical Practices for the Industry.
•    The Committee is engaged in talks with Government institutions to upgrade and expand the training syllabus so that the manpower needs of the sector can be adequately met.
•    The Committee holds a representative seat on the Government supported PPI Council.
•    First Excellence in Printing Showcase in 2008 with the second one scheduled for 2010

A notable achievement of this Committee has been to establish a working dialogue among business competitors.  Since the formation of this Committee a significant level of consultation and collaborative action has taken place among avowed rivals, leading to improved relations within the industry.