Ukrainian book industry is on the verge of poverty

The book industry endures bad times in Ukraine, such conclusion one may make after the conference on the pressing questions of domestic book industry headed by Ukrainian Publishers and Book Dealers President Oleksandr Afonin.

In particular, he stressed the necessity of reforms in the financial field of the industry. The development of the industry extremely needs the preferential credit, creation of own funds and organizational promotion of the publishers.

"It is out of common sense to give the preferential credit by one hand and to take 50% of its income to the budget by the other hand," noted Afonin.

It is necessary to create the equal conditions for the state publishers, state printing houses and the private book dealers, Afonin stressed.

"To get bank credit means to have private relations. There are no common rules and terms. However, there is the decree #1217 of November, 9-2000 which regulates this problem at the level of the National Bank and the Cabinet of Ministers. It has not been settled yet," said Afonin.

He also stressed that in comparison with 90-s the number of the printing editions has been reduced by 3.5 times, the number of bookshops-by 10 times. There are only 900 printing houses and sale stores in Ukraine.

"The reality is even worse. We have only 1-3 bookshops in the regional centres and the book cannot find its purchaser," noted Afonnin.

As a conclusion, he said the book industry must find investment and the state support.