A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by representatives of the Ministry of Trade, Ministry of Tertiary Education and Ministry of Public Utilities for establishment of the University of T&T's Institute of Printing and Packaging.
On hand for the signing ceremony were Trade Minister Vasant Bharath, Tertiary Education Minister Fazal Karim, Public Utilities Minister Nizam Baksh, Curtis R Manchoon, UTT chairman and Professor Dyer Narinesingh, president, UTT.
Bharath said "the launch of the Institute is a significant milestone for the printing and packaging Industry and stakeholders, as it addresses one of the major issues facing the industry for many years, namely, the shortage of trained and skilled labour."
"We envision that the establishment of the Institute of Printing will be instrumental in developing and meeting the human resource needs of the printing industry; and will assist with the training and certification of new and existing workers in the industry, while encouraging new entrants into the industry."
The minister added: "The ministry is committed to assisting and supporting the further development of the industry and looks forward to future collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Skills Training and the Ministry of Public Utilities. The industry holds much promise and meeting its developmental needs is imperative as part of Government's economic diversification agenda."
Printing and packaging is one of four sub-sectors in the Food Sustainability Cluster which has been identified in the Government's Medium Term Policy Framework as a priority area in the drive to become a food secure nation.
The Trade Ministry has responsibility for the food and beverage and packaging subsectors of the Food Sustainability Cluster, as part of its mandate to develop the non-energy sectors of the economy.