Asean Book Publishers To Take Part In DBP Fair
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Book Publishers Association (ABPA) will be the latest addition to the 2006 Brunei Book Fair which is organised to commemorate the 22' National Day celebration.

ABPA, which currently has Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines as its members, will also see some of its board of directors such as the president, vice president and the secretary attending the event.

The association will have its own space comprising several booths that house its members at the book fair which will be held at the Indoor Stadium, Hassanal Bolkiah Sports Complex in Berakas from February 25 to March 6.

With the theme 'Buku Memperkasa Bangsa', the book festival will also be joined by foreign publishers from Jordan and Egypt, said Hj Nayan Hj Muhammad, the organising co-secretary of the fair.

"However, as in the past years, the majority of booths will be occupied by local publishers as well as book-related and ICT companies," he said, adding that some 40 local and foreign companies will participate in the event.

He added that the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Pehin Major General (Rtd) Dato Awg Hj Mohammad will officiate the opening ceremony on February 25.

The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Dato PadukaAwg Hj Dani is expected to be the guest-of-honour at the closing ceremony on March 5.

Organised by the Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the fair will be open from 8.30am to l0pm daily except on Friday when it will open from 8.30am to l 1.30am and 2.30pm to 10pm.

Dubbed the largest gathering of local and regional book dealers, distributors, publishers, vendors and IT establishments, the fair is meant to cater to the reading needs of book enthusiasts, students and the general public.

Hj Nayan said DBP as organiser of the book festival has suggested to fair participants for a price reduction of 10 to 30 percent.

"It is up to them if they want to reduce the price of their publications by more than 30 percent," he said. The event also brings together e-leaming providers to enable visitors not only to appreciate books but also view state-of-the-art teaching and learning aids such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in education.

At the fair, the DBP is expected to launch its latest publications, providing huge discounts on its current stock and at the same time offering free gifts with book purchases.

"The book fair is a great opportunity for exhibitors to promote their latest publications and products. It is also an effective way for them to advertise their companies," he said.

Brunei Book Fair is held annually with the aim of cultivating a reading culture which is in line with the government's effort to build a knowledgeable and informative community. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with