The recently concluded Nigeria International Print Expo (NIPEX) may have come to an end, but the memories linger in the minds of the participants – the exhibitors and visitors alike.
This year’s Expo was bigger and better as a result of the collaboration between DCS Integrated Media Limited, the organizers of NIPEX and Fairtrade, the organizers of Plastprintpack Nigeria, and Agrofood.
The crème de la crème of the Nigerian printing industry graced the 3-day event that took place at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos with eminent Nigerian billionaire businesswomen and philanthropists, who doubled as the Vice Chairman of Digitalreality Print Limited, one of the foremost printing and corporate support service providers in Nigeria and Africa, Apostle Folorunso Alakija as the chairperson of the 2022 edition of NIPEX, with the theme: Making Printing Business Profitable Again.
During Apostle Alakija’s speech on the theme, she said, “I congratulate DCS Integrated Media Limited, the organizers of this conference and exhibition, for the wisdom to put this event together and for considering me worthy to declare it open.” This industry is one of the oldest in the country and is interconnected with other sector-based industries. it is also an important employer of labor, providing jobs for millions of people in Nigeria and the rest of the world. However, it has been facing many challenges due to the increasing cost of energy, equipment, and raw materials, among others. As you are already aware, printing is capital intensive, and this is because most of the equipment and materials are imported. Coupled with the fact that foreign exchange rates are always fluctuating, other challenges we are facing are people’s changing reading habits as well as the shift towards work-based media and solutions. Packaging production is an important part of the print industry this sector faces higher costs of equipment, the rising cost of raw materials, and balancing of environmentally friendly products against profitability stakeholders across the value chain, are voicing their concerns regarding the use of plastic packaging and they are realigning themselves in this direction.” She stated
Furthermore, she added “It is for this reason that the theme for this year’s Expo Making Printing Business Profitable Again becomes relevant. so how do we ensure that we can improve profitability in the print industry? I believe that we will need to take some steps such as changing our strategy, synergizing more, engage with other stakeholders within the value chain. This exhibition presents opportunities for local and foreign practitioners and operators to interact and build the industry.”
“I, therefore, have the unique pleasure and privilege to welcome everyone here and hope that our deliberation will not only be insightful and meaningful but also very rewarding”- Apostle Folorunso Alakija
