THE joint venture between Fijian Holdings Ltd and Sri Lankan company Aitken Spence will see an investment of $1.5 million to import digital printing machine for Serendib Investment Pte Ltd — previously known as Government Printery.
FHL chief executive officer Nouzab Fareed said since they acquired the company they had to ensure that all machines were working and had to bring in a new set of printing machines and carry out some building renovations.
Mr Fareed said they had increased the sales per month threefold compared with the time when they bought the business.
“We have started marketing locally and we are printing government gazettes so hopefully we will do other work for the government but the private sector is also looking after us and giving good business,” he said.
Mr Fareed said they had brought in two technical people from Sri Lanka and were looking at bringing two more technical experts for smooth operations.
According to Mr Fareed the entire FHL Group was printing as much as possible with group clients also using the printery for printing needs.
He said they were confident of printing cheques, annual reports, tourism brochures and other materials in the next 12 months.
“There are two big giants in the printing market but we believe that our entry in the market will increase competition and bring down the cost of printing.
“Our dream is to print the next election ballot papers and the Fiji e-passport. We know it will be difficult but we want to do it,” he said.
