Dhaka: Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Haque Milon observed that the books and journals produced in Bangladesh can have a global market as an exportable item. ‘We have the capacity to publish good quality books and journals at a lower price comparing to the developed world, and it will certainly help us to have a competitive position in the global market,’ he said. The minister made these remarks while addressing a seminar titled ‘Role of publishers and sellers in developing social awareness’ held today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the seminar was organized by the Bangladesh Publishers and Booksellers Association (BAPUS) at Bangla Academy. The minister highlighted that the price of books is higher in the developed world than in Bangladesh, allowing the country to supply books at comparatively lower prices due to its technical capacity and low cost of labor.
The minister expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s potential to become one of the largest book-exporting countries in the world if this opportunity is exploited. He emphasized that BAPUS can play a leading role in achieving this goal. Furthermore, he described the business of publication as an ancient and respectable profession, noting that those involved in it are the ‘beacon of the society’ and can contribute to building an educated and enlightened community.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (LGRD) Mir Shahe Alam and State Minister for Liberation War Affairs Ishraque Hossain also spoke at the event. The seminar was attended by the country’s leading publishers and sellers, with BAPUS president Rezaul Karim Badsha presiding over the session.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha