Discussions held in the direction of the development of the publishing industry in Azerbaijan

On May 13, Azerbaijan Creative Industries Federation held a meeting with publishers. 

At the meeting, topical issues in the book industry were discussed with market participants and members of the Azerbaijan Publishers Association. The issue of VAT exemption of import and sale of paper was also discussed at the meeting.

Meeting participants:

• Vasif Eyvazzade – Azerbaijan Creative Industries Federation
• Telman Malikzade – Azerbaijan Creative Industries Federation
• Shamil Sadig – Azerbaijan Publishers Association
• Nurman Tariq – Azerbaijan Publishers Association
• Sharif Aghayar – Qanun Publishing House
• Rasim Garaja – Alatoran Publishing House
• Rafig Ismayilov – Altun Publishing House
• Shohlat Ikhtiyaroghlu – Gadim Gala Publishing House

The concern caused by the delay in the approval of the relevant list regarding the issue of VAT exemption for the import and sale of mass media products and books (except electronic books), as well as textbook sets, the import and sale of paper in the form of rolls or leaflets related to the production (publication) of these products because of this, Azerbaijan Creative Industries Federation has made active mediation efforts and negotiations with the relevant institutions (Social Council under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, State Tax Service, Social Council under SME Development Agency) and has succeeded in speeding up the process, and as a result, on May 13, the Cabinet of Ministers approved “Import and sale of added value Decided on the approval of the “List of mass media products and books (except electronic books), as well as textbook sets and paper in the form of rolls or sheets related to the production (publication) of those goods (products) exempted from tax – https://nk.gov.az/az/document/6120/

Issues raised at the meeting:

• Exemption of publishers from income tax
• Conducting field research
• Supporting new writers and organizing grant competitions
• Sales, distribution and bookstore issues
• Reader promotion
• Personnel recruitment and management training
• Improving the law
• Thematic meetings on specific issues with relevant institutions
• Provision of temporary concessions for the opening of bookstores in the regions and availability of books for the people of the region
• Publishers’ day, establishment of publishers’ congress
• The problem of literature and readers in the national language
• Provision of books and textbooks in the national language for Azerbaijanis living abroad
• Institutional support in organizing book fairs and festivals in the regions
• KitabMall project
• Help to organize a book street in Icheri city, a book passage in Sabir Bagh or in front of the Nizami statue
• Increasing sales opportunities