Each one of us in the printing inks, coatings, graphic arts and packaging industries are engaged in varied levels of manufacturing. One is forced to look at the business fundamentals and new formats of strategies given the fluid business environment; forcing companies to unlearn and relearn while grappling with the following issues:

• Rising raw material cost eating into profits, in spite of a sharp dip in crude oil prices

•  Increasing need to seek/adopt environment friendly recyclable materials

•  Demanding spoilt-for-choice end consumer

•  Emergence of newer ways of communication

We at AIPIMA recognise the need to be prepared at all times to keep up with the changes and pressures of business. It is existentially important to refurbish one's knowledge bank with updated information to navigate one's way in today's business environment.

So here we are once again with an action packed international seminar at the Asia Coat + Ink Show 2015, one of the most awaited and sought after bi-annual event for the printing inks, coatings, graphic arts and packaging industries in India.

In keeping with the tradition, the team at The Asia Coat + Ink Show has worked hard to bring people together from different countries (including India) and offered them the opportunity to engage, exchange and push boundaries of their business. Professionals as guests, delegates, participants, exhibitors from local and global manufacturers and distributors are expected to participate and showcase their technologies and distribution strengths.

Eminent international and Indian speakers are likely to discuss the latest trends, issues hampering growth and the way forward. For the first time, we will have speakers representing buyer's community from FMCG sector (represented by companies like Hindustan UniLever, Mondelez, Colgate etc.). This is another step taken by AIPIMA open discussion channels between buyers and ink suppliers and printers. The process will help us grasp new business strategies trending currently in the world market at the international seminar scheduled on 28 February, 2015 at The Lalit, Mumbai.

I am delighted to share that this year we have surpassed our previous registration records with as many as double the number of companies exhibiting their products at Bombay Exhibition Center, Goregaon from 2-4 March, 2015.

As a host country, the responsibility to welcome participants, visitors from other countries lies not just with AIPIMA organising committee members but with each and every Indian member of the printing inks, coatings, graphic arts and packaging industries. It's our collective duty to ensure that The Asia Coat + Ink Show 2015 becomes a memorable, pleasant and lucrative experience for the participants. It will automatically translate into innovation and business for Indian printing inks, coating, graphic arts and packaging industries.

I urge all my friends and colleagues from the industry along with young entrants and students from printing, packaging, engineering and management colleges to attend the seminar.