The government has announced a 55 percent waiver on stall rent for publishers participating in the upcoming Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026, providing significant financial relief to the country’s publishing sector ahead of the annual cultural event.
The decision was disclosed at an exchange meeting with publishers on Tuesday at the Shaheed Munier Chowdhury Auditorium of Bangla Academy. The discussion centred on preparations for Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 and the broader state of the publishing industry.
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki chaired the meeting. Also present were Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Mofidur Rahman, Bangla Academy Director General Dr Mohammad Azam, the Member Secretary of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026 Management Committee, and other committee members.
During the session, participating publishers outlined the challenges currently facing the industry and submitted a number of proposals to the government.
In response, the adviser agreed in principle with most of the proposals, including the formulation of a national book policy, and urged publishers to provide detailed written recommendations to the ministry.
He formally announced that publishers taking part in the fair, which is scheduled to begin on 20 February 2026, will receive a 55 per cent waiver on stall rental fees.
Authorities also confirmed adjustments for those who have already completed their payments. Publishers who paid the full stall rent in advance will receive refunds for the excess amount from the book fair authorities.
Those who have not yet made payments will be able to pay according to the revised reduced rate.
The Amar Ekushey Book Fair is one of the country’s largest and most significant cultural events, held annually in February to commemorate the martyrs of the Language Movement.
The rent waiver is expected to encourage wider participation and support the sustainability of the publishing sector.
