A panel will soon be created by the 10^th Administration to look into publication affairs, First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Rahimi said Tuesday.

 

Rahimi made the remarks in an inaugural ceremony of a 23^rd International Tehran Book Fair where he noted that the panel would be assigned with a strategic goal of promotion of book reading habit.

 

According to Rahimi, the panel is meant to spread a cross functional supportive umbrella in the culture sector besides regular promotional activities of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

 

 

He offered "all state and private bodies and companies, from now on until the year-end, consider granting books as first-choice award and finance purchase of the cultural commodity instead of any other alternatives."

 

The First Vice President said over 2000 public libraries were serving across the country, adding that efforts must be expended to double the number of libraries before the 10^th Administration leaves office in 2012.

 

Rahimi said the Ministry was following plans to stage book fairs in provinces, urging for a furtherance of book fairs across provinces both in terms of quality and quantity.

 

The senior official urged national publishers to put their best foot forward in international book fairs where Iran's presence proves essential so as to present the works of Iranian authors and intellectuals in the eyes of world.

 

In another regard, Rahimi urged the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance to adopt necessary measures to devolve parts of publication industry affairs to private sector under the general policies of the Article 44 of the Constitution which enshrines nationwide privatization.

 

The First Vice President also urged the Ministry to exercise its functions in monitoring of content of publications in coordination with men of thought and intellect in society.

 

He revealed the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution had planed a review and revision of current publication rules and regulations.

 

Rahimi concluded with calling the book fair a rendezvous for sharing life with men of culture, pen and intellect, besides getting an opportunity for a rather convenient access to various publications.