The government yesterday announced the national book policy aimed at encouraging publication of quality bKks and export those to the international market, reports UNH.

The policy will help boost up the publication- Industry and encourage maximum utilisation of books.' State Minister for Cultural Affairs Prof Jahan Ara Begum told a press conference at her Secretariat office yesterday.

The 34-polnt national book policy was approved by the Cabinet on February 28.

The State Minister said that the policy would help reduced the country's dependency on Imported books and Improve qualitative standard of books and regulate the price In the local market.

A national committee will be formed within a month to execute the policy, she said.

Replying to a question. Prof Jahan Ara said book export has increased in the last few years. In 1990-91, the export earning from books was Tk 98 lakh which doubled last year.

The country imported books worth about Tk 8.25 crore in 1990-91. the import

from India being more than Tk three crore against exports worth Tk 68.000.

The Import of books has increased tn the last few years, the state minister said.

The objectives of the book policy includes building up a publication infrastructure, encouraging the involvement of educated manpower in this Industry. modernisation of printing Industries, use of ISBN and classification number. Increasing publication of books for children as well as text and . reference books.