Paper Shortage to be Resolved Soon; $40 Million Allocated for Press and Publishing Paper Supply

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA) in Mashhad, Seyed Abbas Salehi stated on Friday evening during a gathering with cultural and art figures in Kashmar city: The Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade has completed the executive stages of this decision, and the Central Bank has also begun the necessary cooperation. With this process, paper will be among the recipients of preferential currency, and its price difference from the free market rate will significantly decrease.

He continued: With the finalization of this resolution, the paper import process will be facilitated, and its price will become manageable for publishers and journal managers. Our prediction is that in the near future, the effects of this decision will become apparent in the market, and the concerns of print media will significantly decrease.

Salehi further referred to the problems faced by publishers, newspapers, and journals in procuring paper and said: We believe that paper should be considered a basic commodity, and extensive efforts have been made in this regard.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, emphasizing the importance of paper, books, and media, stated: These items should be categorized as essential goods.

Salehi continued: During the twelfth government, we tried our best to recognize paper as an essential commodity, and for the last time in 2020, an amount equivalent to 4,200 Tomans per dollar was allocated as supportive currency for paper.

He added: From 2021 onwards, the number of supported goods gradually decreased, and paper was effectively removed from the basket of supported goods. Even currency allocation for medicine became more restricted.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance said: The small amount that remained in the thirteenth government was based on the currency set aside in the twelfth government, and paper imports continued.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance also referred to the resolution on paper imports and said: Although we have a resolution for paper imports, this process requires time for things to be done correctly. We hope that soon, paper-related issues in the fields of books and media will be controllable and stable, not at previous prices, but in a better way.

He added: We have a resolution for $20 million for the press sector and another $20 million for the publishing sector, and paper orders are currently being processed. We hope these measures will create balance in the paper situation.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced the allocation of $40 million for supplying paper to the press and publishing sectors and said: The press and publishing sectors require serious support.

He, referring to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance’s ability to support cultural projects, said: This ministry can only assist with construction if the projects are national. In cities, we can also provide assistance for repairs and equipment.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance added: Although many cultural halls and centers in various cities face significant problems due to dilapidation, and budgets are limited, we will provide support for the repair and equipping of the Sarv Kashmar Cultural and Art Complex.

He also stated: We will strive to resolve the repair and equipping problems of halls in the Torshiz region within a two or three-year plan.

The Minister of Islamic Culture and Guidance also referred to concerns raised in the field of books and said: Book exhibitions in provincial capitals have been restarted. Although these exhibitions were held during the eleventh and twelfth governments and there was a pause in their organization due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these activities have resumed this year.

Salehi also stated: We are ready to initiate the experience of holding a book exhibition in Kashmar city, and if this experience is successful, it can be continued. Kashmar city can present its suggestions in this regard.

Salehi also addressed the issue of mosque cultural centers and clarified: Instead of expanding new centers, we should pay more attention to existing older centers. Furthermore, financial support is related to our allocations this year.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, referring to the allocations made so far, said: These allocations, compared to over 20,000 centers nationwide, have no proportionality with each other.