The printing inudstry has told the Government to improve policiesgoverning the industry so that it can reach its full potential.

Theyraised their voice at a workshop held on October 8 by Vietnam Chamberof Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Vietnam Printing Association(Vinaprint).

The Chairman of Vinaprint Nguyen Van Dong said theGovernment should remove import permits and simplify business licensingprocedures to help printers.

Dong proposed that the Ministry ofInformation and Communications, instead of the Ministry of Science andTechnology, regulate terms for the use of imported machinery andequipment.

He said this meant printing companies would have toget approval from the information ministry to import second-handmachines and devices, Dong said.

The head of Gia DinhInformation Technology University, Nguyen Dang Liem, outlined severalrequirements to establish a printing company.

He suggested companies should be owned and represented by Vietnamese individuals or organisations.

Another requirement was at least a member of the board of directors was specialised in the printing profession, Liem added.

Thechairman of Ho Chi Minh City Printing Association, Le Van Tron, saidthat many post-printing operations, including cutting, folding,assembling and binding, were done in private homes and were now managedby the authority.

This created a problem for those doing thework because householders were required to perform administrativeprocedures once carried out by printing companies.

Participantsalso showed concern about a policy that prevents domestic printingcompanies from cooperating with each other in processing end products.

The regulation was considered to limit companies' power in competing with foreign players.-VNA