Printing: the next big thing for Bangladesh

The printing industry in Bangladesh has the potential to become the second highest foreign exchange earning sector, after the ready made garments sector, a leading entrepreneur said yesterday.
“It can add immense value. During a recent visit to the US, I received a number of queries,” said Hasina Newaaz, proprietor of Orchid Printers, one of the country's largest printing houses.
“With great opportunities for the sector, it can be the next big thing for Bangladesh,” she told The Daily Star.
There are over 7,000 printing houses in Bangladesh. Of them, 3,000 are in Dhaka.
Hasina said there is no alternative to seeking lucrative markets to running a business. “We have the capacity to do that. There are a very few countries in the world that can offer cheap products -- which is something we can do.”
“However, it will require huge capital. Here, the government has a role to play in helping set up world-class printing houses.”
Hasina, a good student all along, said, “After completing my masters in Bengali literature from Rajshahi University I could easily start a job, but I did not. Giving birth to my daughter soon after my masters, I realised that with a nine-to-five job, I would not be able to take care of my son.”
“I wanted to do something, staying at home,” said Hasina.
She said starting this business was like a tradition in her family. “My father was in the printing business. I had access to his business. I learnt the ABCs of this trade from him and got inspired.”
Hasina first started a small business in 1978, exporting turtles, snails and hilsha fish to Hong Kong. “I exported the marine items to Hong Kong for four years. When the business came to an end due to some environmental concerns, I had to find something more long-lasting.”
She tried her luck in the ink business initially, but her Japanese business partner suggested she gave a go at printing. Hasina got the capital to start the business from the proceeds from export earnings. It was in 1982 that she started printing with Japanese machinery.
People were suspicious at first about the quality of the work of a Japanese machine, she said. “But introduction of a Japanese machine in the Bangladeshi market revolutionised the country's printing business.”
She said getting established as a young entrepreneur was not easy. “People were not comfortable with a businesswoman. I was also below 30 years of age then. But I stuck to my goal.”
“My family members, especially my husband, helped me a lot. I would not have been able to come so far otherwise,” the 58-year-old said.
The mother of three started her business with work orders from a family friend. She also received some work orders after being enlisted with National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB).
Hasina said the printing business in Bangladesh is being hampered due to misuse of the bonding system that makes honest businesses uncompetitive.
She said the 61 percent duty on imported materials is a huge blow for the industry. “The government should reduce it drastically.”
Hasina plans to take her printing business to a new height and earn fame in the global arena. The government has to extend easy loans to help the sector expand beyond borders.
She said entrepreneurs in the printing business should not look up to the government. “We have to find the market.”
Hasina said they are offering the same rate as three decades ago, but the cost of production has gone up. “We are running at very low profit margins. It has become tough to maintain honesty in the business. However, I will not compromise with quality.”
Orchid Printers, located at Banglamotor, employs about 100 workers and only serves multinational companies. Hasina's products are exported to countries like Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the US.
Hasina said they have been providing dress tags to the country's garments sector for three decades now with the help of old technology. “We can export more products.”
Hasina feels the number of skilled workers can be raised with government assistance.
Even though they began three decades ago, they are still in the same place in regards to technology. “We are lagging behind as we have not adopted the latest technologies.”
“Printing is capital-intensive. Nobody will make a huge investment for a small market, like Bangladesh. So the government should come forward.”
“Capacity should be enhanced on an urgent basis.”
She thanked the SME Foundation for proposing the government to consider the printing industry as a booster sector.

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