Bangladesh Defense Forum
Reviving publishing industry
Nafew Sajed Joy 22 September, 2024, 22:17
A New Age file photograph, taken in February 2024, shows staff of a publishing house arranging books at a stall in Ekushey Book Fair in Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. | Sony Ramany
THE printing and publishing industry despite its essential role in cultural preservation and economic development has for long been neglected. The sector, crucial for passing down history and knowledge to next generations, has remained in the shadows as other industries have progressed. Now is the time for the industry to be recognised, modernised and brought into the spotlight under a proper leadership.
As Bangladesh moves forward in its journey of economic development, leaders of the printing and publishing industry must engage with the government to address their needs, demand reforms and ensure a sustainable future for these crucial sectors.
Covid-time losses
LIKE many industries, printing and publishing wer ehit hard by the Covid outbreak. Unlike others who sought government support and voiced their struggles, the sector at hand has, However, largely remained silent. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, Bangladesh’s publishing sector alone suffered an estimated loss of TK 4 billion during the Covid outbreak, but little effort has been made to address the losses or work out strategies for recovery.
The printing industry globally is valued at $3 trillion, but Bangladesh accounts for only Tk 1.6 billion in export, according to the Printing Industries Association of Bangladesh. Seven thousand printing enterprises employ around 300,000 people, many of whom work in substandard conditions — lacking basic amenities such as drinking water, proper sanitation and modern equipment. High import duties on machinery and raw materials continue to stifle growth as leaders fail to advocate tax breaks and reforms in the sector.
Untapped potential
THE publishing industry holds greater potential, with its market estimated in the ranges of Tk 150–250 billion, according to the Bangladesh Knowledge and Creative Publishers’ Association. Yet, it still faces ethical challenges, particularly during book fairs, where new publishers sometimes gain unfair advantages through unethical practice. These issues must be addressed to ensure a fair and competitive landscape for all publishers.
Bangladesh’s publishing sector has yet to see the kind of reforms that could drive it forward. Privatisation and policy changes are necessary to create an environment that could foster ethical business practice and encourage new entrepreneurs to bring fresh ideas to the industry.
Need for modernisation, new leadership
AS GLOBAL industries embrace the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions, the printing and publishing sector of Bangladesh needs to keep pace. Young publishers have already entered the market, bringing new strategies and intellectual approaches to modernise the industry. However, for a true progress, there must be a combination of youthful innovation and the experience of established publishers. Such a union can drive the sector forward and create a thriving, dynamic future for printing and publishing in Bangladesh.
Legal and regulatory challenges
IN ADDITION to industry-wide reforms, legal frameworks need to be revised to support the growth of the printing and publishing industry. The Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act 1973, later amended in 2019, still carries elements of suppression from previous eras, limiting the independence and freedom of expression that should characterise the sector. District magistrates retain the power to revoke declarations of newspapers deemed anti-state or offensive to religious sentiments, which has stifled free thought.
Copyright laws must also be rigorously enforced to protect writers and publishers, creating a safe environment for creative expression. Simultaneously, laws that allow the harassment of printing and publishing establishments must be revised. It is time to remove political interference and establish industry organisations that are led by stakeholders who prioritise growth and sustainability.
Breaking paper-ink syndicates
A SIGNIFICANT issue plaguing the industry is the rising cost of production, driven by syndicates that control prices of paper and ink. Inflated costs make books more expensive, placing an additional burden on readers. As a nation, Bangladesh risks losing its intellectual capital if access to affordable books is restricted.
Leaders of the printing and publishing sector must advocate the dismantling of the syndicates, reducing production costs and ensuring that books remain accessible to all.
Moving forward together
The printing and publishing industry are too important to be left behind as Bangladesh charts out its path to economic self-reliance. It is time for industry leaders, in collaboration with the government and civil society, to develop a comprehensive road map to growth and modernisation. By combining the innovative energy of young entrepreneurs with the experience of seasoned professionals, the industry can flourish once again.
The syndicates manipulating raw material prices must be dismantled and tax breaks on machinery import must be secured to make the sector competitive on a global scale. In addition, legal reforms are urgently needed to protect the freedom of expression and ensure that copyright laws are enforced.
Future of printing, publishing industry
THE printing and publishing sector ois integral to cultural and intellectual future. The industry must no longer be seen as secondary players in the national economy but as vital components of development. With proper leadership, government support and reforms, the industry can thrive and secure its rightful place as a cornerstone of the nation’s cultural and economic progress.
Bangladesh cannot afford to lose the rich legacy of its printing and publishing industry. The time to act is now before the legacy is lost.
Nafew Sajed Joy, a former student of printing and publication studies in the university of Dhaka, is a researcher and writer.
Nafew Sajed Joy 22 September, 2024, 22:17
A New Age file photograph, taken in February 2024, shows staff of a publishing house arranging books at a stall in Ekushey Book Fair in Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka. | Sony Ramany
THE printing and publishing industry despite its essential role in cultural preservation and economic development has for long been neglected. The sector, crucial for passing down history and knowledge to next generations, has remained in the shadows as other industries have progressed. Now is the time for the industry to be recognised, modernised and brought into the spotlight under a proper leadership.
As Bangladesh moves forward in its journey of economic development, leaders of the printing and publishing industry must engage with the government to address their needs, demand reforms and ensure a sustainable future for these crucial sectors.
Covid-time losses
LIKE many industries, printing and publishing wer ehit hard by the Covid outbreak. Unlike others who sought government support and voiced their struggles, the sector at hand has, However, largely remained silent. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, Bangladesh’s publishing sector alone suffered an estimated loss of TK 4 billion during the Covid outbreak, but little effort has been made to address the losses or work out strategies for recovery.
The printing industry globally is valued at $3 trillion, but Bangladesh accounts for only Tk 1.6 billion in export, according to the Printing Industries Association of Bangladesh. Seven thousand printing enterprises employ around 300,000 people, many of whom work in substandard conditions — lacking basic amenities such as drinking water, proper sanitation and modern equipment. High import duties on machinery and raw materials continue to stifle growth as leaders fail to advocate tax breaks and reforms in the sector.
Untapped potential
THE publishing industry holds greater potential, with its market estimated in the ranges of Tk 150–250 billion, according to the Bangladesh Knowledge and Creative Publishers’ Association. Yet, it still faces ethical challenges, particularly during book fairs, where new publishers sometimes gain unfair advantages through unethical practice. These issues must be addressed to ensure a fair and competitive landscape for all publishers.
Bangladesh’s publishing sector has yet to see the kind of reforms that could drive it forward. Privatisation and policy changes are necessary to create an environment that could foster ethical business practice and encourage new entrepreneurs to bring fresh ideas to the industry.
Need for modernisation, new leadership
AS GLOBAL industries embrace the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions, the printing and publishing sector of Bangladesh needs to keep pace. Young publishers have already entered the market, bringing new strategies and intellectual approaches to modernise the industry. However, for a true progress, there must be a combination of youthful innovation and the experience of established publishers. Such a union can drive the sector forward and create a thriving, dynamic future for printing and publishing in Bangladesh.
Legal and regulatory challenges
IN ADDITION to industry-wide reforms, legal frameworks need to be revised to support the growth of the printing and publishing industry. The Printing Presses and Publications (Declaration and Registration) Act 1973, later amended in 2019, still carries elements of suppression from previous eras, limiting the independence and freedom of expression that should characterise the sector. District magistrates retain the power to revoke declarations of newspapers deemed anti-state or offensive to religious sentiments, which has stifled free thought.
Copyright laws must also be rigorously enforced to protect writers and publishers, creating a safe environment for creative expression. Simultaneously, laws that allow the harassment of printing and publishing establishments must be revised. It is time to remove political interference and establish industry organisations that are led by stakeholders who prioritise growth and sustainability.
Breaking paper-ink syndicates
A SIGNIFICANT issue plaguing the industry is the rising cost of production, driven by syndicates that control prices of paper and ink. Inflated costs make books more expensive, placing an additional burden on readers. As a nation, Bangladesh risks losing its intellectual capital if access to affordable books is restricted.
Leaders of the printing and publishing sector must advocate the dismantling of the syndicates, reducing production costs and ensuring that books remain accessible to all.
Moving forward together
The printing and publishing industry are too important to be left behind as Bangladesh charts out its path to economic self-reliance. It is time for industry leaders, in collaboration with the government and civil society, to develop a comprehensive road map to growth and modernisation. By combining the innovative energy of young entrepreneurs with the experience of seasoned professionals, the industry can flourish once again.
The syndicates manipulating raw material prices must be dismantled and tax breaks on machinery import must be secured to make the sector competitive on a global scale. In addition, legal reforms are urgently needed to protect the freedom of expression and ensure that copyright laws are enforced.
Future of printing, publishing industry
THE printing and publishing sector ois integral to cultural and intellectual future. The industry must no longer be seen as secondary players in the national economy but as vital components of development. With proper leadership, government support and reforms, the industry can thrive and secure its rightful place as a cornerstone of the nation’s cultural and economic progress.
Bangladesh cannot afford to lose the rich legacy of its printing and publishing industry. The time to act is now before the legacy is lost.
Nafew Sajed Joy, a former student of printing and publication studies in the university of Dhaka, is a researcher and writer.
