Ficci seeks industry status for publishing sector

NEW DELHI: Industry body Ficci today said it will take up the case for grant of industry status to the publishing sector, a tag which may help the segment get easy loans.

Ficci, in association with the National Book Trust, India (NBT), organised a programme here to facilitate greater interaction within the publishing community and establish a forum of CEOs to discuss and share business and book-trade related issues and concerns.

"Ficci to take up the case of the publishing sector for grant of industry status," the chamber said in a statement.

A Sethumadhavan, Chairman, NBT, emphasised that India has no dearth of good content.

"We have a flourishing publishing industry with literature in vernacular languages adding to the richness and depth of scholarship in India," he said.

Also present at the event, Vivek Lall, President and CEO, Reliance Industries, said the sector must strive to get the industry status, which will enable it get corporate loans at low interest.

He added that Ficci had lobbied for the entertainment industry, including films, to get industry status in the year 2000 and should take up the case of the publishing sector too.