We were hardly done celebrating the arrival of 2025 and the month of January is almost over. If last year was action-packed, this year would be no less exciting.
Just as we write this edit, Donald Trump took charge of the world’s most powerful country with a slew of executive orders that would have far-reaching implications the world over. The key among them is the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Treaty, as well as the crackdown on illegal immigrants treading the dangerous path, dreaming the great American dream – prompting a state of emergency along the borders with Mexico.
The US has threatened Mexico and Canada with 25% tariffs. Not to forget his call to unite Canada with the US and the threat to buy Greenland and the Panama Canal. Trump also says he wants to meet Putin to end the Ukraine war as early as possible. Nevertheless, despite the uncertainty in the United States, one ray of hope is the ceasefire in Gaza (for which Trump may be claiming the Nobel Prize for his alleged role in brokering peace, as reports suggest.)
Back home, the trade tariffs by the US on its neighbors (and the fears of a similar action on India) led to a selloff in the stock market – the flip side of a closely linked global economy. The immigration crackdown has also led to a sense of unease in the Indian tech sector.
Trump’s blitzkrieg right after assuming office reminds us of the 2001 film Nayak, where Anil Kapoor plays the role of a commoner, who becomes the chief minister for a day – and attempts to take on corruption and change the state with a slew of impromptu decisions. The only difference is that Trump’s decisions are keeping the world on the edge (no pun intended).
Printpack India, Hunkeler Innovationdays and the Wan-Ifra AI Forum
Volatile geopolitics notwithstanding, it’s business as usual for India’s printing and packaging fraternity, which is gearing up for the much-awaited 16th Printpack India. To be held at the India Expo Centre, Greater Noida, from 1 to 5 February 2025, the show is a convergence of companies manufacturing or dealing in printing, packaging, and allied machinery, technology and consumables.
Anticipating more than 500 exhibitors, Printpack India, organized by IPAMA will showcase printing and packaging machinery, emphasizing cost-effectiveness and import substitution. The exhibition is projected to attract more than 125,000 business visitors, up from the 103,412 attendees in May 2022.
The IPP Group with its magazines Packaging South Asia and Indian Printer & Publisher is covering the event with special previews and review issues, featuring the best innovations and products as well as videos. Our editorial and marketing teams will be on ground zero to bring you the latest updates and insights. Our video team can shoot film at your stand at Printpack 2025, which will be broadcast on the IPP group and Inkish.tv channels.
Crossing continents, in Europe, another show that is attracting the printing and the related fraternity from across the globe is the biennial Hunkeler Innovationdays 2025 – the premier continuous feed and sheetfed technology and networking event.
The 15th edition of the Hunkeler Innovationdays, from February 24-27, 2025 at the Lucerne exhibition center in Switzerland, brings the latest in digital print, inkjet, and finishing technology and offers a unique networking opportunity with well-known manufacturers in the industry, owners, managing directors, management and experts.
The 2023 edition, postponed from 2022 because of the pandemic, saw some 6,700 visitors from 100 countries brave the Swiss winter weather. The 2019 show had a similar attendance. Our correspondent Nessan Cleary will cover the event for Indian Printer & Publisher to bring to you the latest in innovations and developments in finishing.
As artificial intelligence takes center stage in almost every sphere of life, including news media, India’s news fraternity is converging at the Wan-Ifra AI Forum & AI Study Tour. To be held on 19-20 February 2025 in Bangalore, advancements to practical applications tailored for newsrooms in the fast-evolving AI landscape will be discussed.
Indian Printer and Publisher is a media partner in the event, focusing on the future of artificial intelligence in the news media industry. As pointed out in various reports and discussions, including the Reuters News Trends 2025, AI has already become a major disruptor – as well as a pain point – in the news publishing scene worldwide.
Meanwhile, stay tuned to IPP for the latest updates and scoops on the printing industry – and Donald Trump for ‘world-changing’ decisions (no pun intended).
