Ekushey book fair fetches higher sales

Jasim Uddin Haroon | Published: February 28, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

The turnover of books at the Ekushey Boi Mela is expected to reach Tk 150 million this year, marking more than 30 per cent surge from last year's sales, publishers and organiser said Thursday.
Both the publishers and the fair organiser have expressed their deep satisfaction over the sale growth in the month-long fair which concludes today (Friday).
They said this rise in sales is partly due to expansion of fair premises and peaceful environment free from general shutdowns and blockades.
They noted that turnout of visitors also increased significantly this year.
The publishers, however, said there is no impact of e-books on the country's book publishing industry saying hardbacks will dominate even in the coming years.
Mazharul Islam, publisher of Onno Prokash, told the FE that their sales increased by more than 30 per cent as of February 27.
"I'm happy as our sales have satisfied us," Mr. Islam said.
"In 2013, our sales did not grow as the fair's main entrance was used for demonstration," Mr. Islam said.
Book publishers said the number of new books also rose by at least 20 per cent this year.
Osman Gani, publisher of Agami, said publishers have issued comparatively large number of new books this year ranging from poetry to socio-economies.
A total of 2663 new books arrived in the fair, mostly poetry followed by novels.
He, however, said growth of the digital e-book market is not affecting the sales.
Mr.Gani said the new e-books will widen the industry, but it will take much time for it in Bangladesh.
Mr. Islam, publisher of Onno Prokash, said books are like friends to the readers.
"I don't think that e-books are substitute to printed books," he noted.
Mr. Gani said his company's sales will rise nearly 40 per cent.
The serious readers have been visiting the fair after February 21, the publishers said.
"The serious readers are increasingly purchasing after February 21," said Alamgir Hossain, publisher of Abasor, another leading publishing house in the city.
Mr. Alamgir said the sales should have been much more as it is impeded by the political violence in November-December in 2013.
"We expected that the sale will rise more but it has actually been obstructed by the restive political troubles in 2013," Mr. Alamgir said.
Bangla Academy sources said their sales also shot up by more than 30 per cent this year.
According to official statistics, the sales of books published by the academy stood over Tk. 10 million up to February 26 last.
Its total sales in 2013 stood over Tk 6.7 million.
However, Bangla Academy has expanded the book fair for the first time to nearby Suhrawardy Udyan.
The number of participating organisations also rose by 58 to 304 this year.
The book fair actually started by Muktodhara Publishing house, in front of Bangla Academy in the 21st February 1972.
Later, other book publishers joined there. Gradually it became the most popular book fair of Bangladesh.
Bangla Academy started organising the fair from 1978.
In 1984 it was named Amar Ekushey Book Fair. Notably, in 1990s, another national book fair called Dhaka Boi Mela was initiated.