Seeking globally known publishers' participation, Karachi International Book Fair (KIBF) will begin from December 7 to boost education sector and to promote book-reading culture. The annual book fair, which runs into its 13th consecutive year, is likely to attract local and international exhibitors to showcase their stuff in various categories such as culture, academic, legal, social, national and international politics and economics.
"The book fair will be held in hall number 1, 2 and 3 in Karachi Expo Centre," Convener KIBF, Owais Mirza Jamil told the media at a press conference at a hotel, here on Tuesday. He said that all genre of books on all topics will be displayed at over 330 stalls for five days from December 7 to 11, 2017. He said that the KIBF managing committee had begun global marketing for the Book Fair to seek participation of publishers from Frankfurt Book Fair in Pakistan with a view to benefit the readers especially students by brining global intellectual academic spectrum to Pakistan. "Talks with president Frankfurt Book Fair are under way and we hope they will attend the KIBF next year," he said.
He said that the KIBF will remain open to the public at the Expo Centre from 10 am to 9 pm. Sindh Transport Minister Nasir Hussain Shah will be the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony while exhibitors from Iran, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries will display books. Discounts on books are expected to go up to 70 percent during the fair, he said, hoping that over 500,000 people are also expected to visit. The local exhibitors will also set up stalls with imported book.
"Despite spread of e-books, the trend of reading paper books still dominates in the country," Owais said, claiming that books publications have grown up significantly with a passage of time as the reading culture has improved in the country. "It [book reading] is a right way for youth to follow," he urged. Aziz Khalid, chairman Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association (PPBA), slammed the federal and provincial governments for not extending a helping hand to the KIBF since its inception in 2005 that has gone through difficult phases over past years. "Had it been textile exhibition, all [foreigners] would have come to Pakistan but it is education, hence none is interested to support it," he lamented.
He said that the security concerns have always compelled the foreign publishers to stay away from KIBF as there is no support from the government to facilitate the global visitors while they stay in Pakistan. He also criticized the West for not transferring the education technology, expertise or publications to Pakistan.
He pointed out that the UAE has taken a great benefit from the Western publishers encouraging them in Abu Dhabi or Sharjah at international book fairs. "The UAE government provides the global publishers with business class tickets, five star hotel stay and other travel and lodging facilities," he compared saying that Pakistan government could not give them an easy admission into the country, let alone special security.
To a question, he said that the country's books' export stands next to nothing; however, their import is sizeable. Earlier, he told that the KIBF has been held since 2005 despite no financial support by the government. Aziz also remarked that highlighted the soft image of Pakistan and brushed aside Pakistan's the negative image, globally. He also thanked the media for their support over the past 13 years.
Ejaz Shah, adviser of Business Development, KIBF, said that the book fair had triggered a new thinking in Pakistan since it first edition in 2005. He said that the KIBF committee had evolved a three-year plan to expand its spectrum globally with international publishers to showcase their stuff at its annual exhibition. He said awareness is a major element to attract public to the KIBF.
He said that the exhibitions are not restricted to displaying books but also fetch huge businesses. He said that the book fair is now a trade. He said that the KIBF would also expand its cooperation to Abu Dhabi book fairs and other parts of the world. He hoped that the Frankfurt and Istanbul book fairs would also collaborate with the KIBF from next year.
"International publishers are now exploring other parts of the world," Ejaz said, adding that Pakistan is one among those being focused, in this connection. He said that the KIBF's main focus is on kids' books that promote primary education. Books for schools, colleges and universities' students would be available at the fair, he said.
He said the KIBF's signing of MoUs with Iranian and Turkish Book Publishers Associations are also under way. He said that KIBF would also hold culture exhibitions. He asked the global publishers that Pakistan is a financially-viable platform therefore; they should tap its huge market that still remains untapped.