BY ALEM HAILU G/KRISTOS
The Ethiopian Printers and Publishers Association recently became vocal that authorship is languishing under ever-increasing paper price hike and multiple taxations. It made a call to the government to take measures to thwart the stranglehold strangulating the sector.
Addressing the general Assembly of the Association, the coordinator of the Association Zenebe Deneke said due to the aforementioned problems a question mark hangs over the sector. The fact that the relatively low tax levied on books imported from abroad has compounded the problem true to the saying an insult to injury. Not only the tax on papers but also on publication materials is posing hurdles on the sector.
Enumerating the formidable barriers bogging down sector’s performance Deneke mentioned absence of discussion with printers and publishers as stakeholders during the preparation of books, dearth of inputs for printing work, shortage of skilled human resource and nonexistence of a thorough research that helps ascertain the capacity of publishers and printers participating in bids.
The major segment of the benefit that could accrue to printers and publishers here resides in the printing of exercise books of students. During the past years the sector had not benefited much from such a venture. There is a need to facilitate things so that printers and publishers actively participate in the preparation of exercise books.
After noting the association is not strengthened to the required level, if it is made robust and the sector basks under the due support it is possible to absorb many job seekers and generate much income tax. As such, all stakeholders ought to actively participate in breathing life into the sector.
Former president of the Ethiopian Writers’ Association Getachew Belete noted dearth of dollar for paper and necessary print inputs is felt reflected in the sector, for the importation of such items is screeching to a halt.
Currently Ethiopian exercise books are being published after curriculums are revised. Sadly however, dollar aids and loans are flowing back as books are being published abroad under the claim of improving things. The problem begs for rectification as it exacerbates the depletion of dollar reserve and discourages the sector here, he noted.
Shaping generation does not solely rests on technological outcomes but also on books. Unless the problem is addressed in time, he expressed his fear that this generation and those in the pipeline will go astray swept by technological gadgets/unfolding to suffer identity crisis.
According due attention to the sector that needs a reform and improving heavy taxes levied on print inputs help troubleshoot the challenge. The government has to uplift the mood of printers and publishers that are plunged into depression.
Some believe the task of recycling paper here to meet local demands must draw the attention of investors as it amounts to killing two birds with a stone. Hence such investment must be allowed a tax holiday as they could fill a great chasm. This trend could help to cut down the exorbitant prices of books scaring away readers and wielding influence on publishers to fight shy.
Creative researches on publication materials such as inks for color printing were mentioned a decade and half back by Science and Technology commission. We want to hear further research out comes and their applicability to troubleshoot the challenge.
The introduction of Print on Demand (PoD) books here in Ethiopia begs for investors that taw the ice. This fad, which is long overdue here, has become common elsewhere including Africa. The publication of E-books must also be encouraged too. Otherwise authorship could make a nose dive.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2022
