DHAKA: Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina, also ruling Awami League president, on Sunday categorically said the government is working to formulate a ‘National Book Policy’ for encouraging the country’s publishers.

“We have taken several long and short terms planning for developing cultural sectors and we will formulate a ‘National Book Policy’ for encouraging the publishers,” she said.

The premier was addressing the inaugural program of ‘Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela’, at the premise of Bangla Academy in the afternoon.

Later, Sheikh Hasina inaugurated ‘Amar Ekushey Grantha Mela’, the book fair commemorating historic language movement.

The premier also inaugurated an International Literary Conference at the premises.

Terming the book fair, a congregation of souls, the PM said that this fair gives people the opportunity to earn knowledge.

As a part of the digitalization, the government has also introduced e-books in the country, she added.

The PM further said that the process of introducing a unique and easy set of Bangla font is also in progress.

Cultural affairs minister Asaduzzaman Noor was present as special guest at the inaugural ceremony, chaired by Professor Emeritus Anisuzzaman.

Cultural secretary Dr Ranajit Kumar Bishwas and Bangla Academy director general Shamsuzzaman Khan also delivered speeches at the function.

German litterateur Hans Harder, French writer France Bhattacharya, Belgian litterateur Father Datien and Rabindra Bharati University former vice-chancellor and also a linguist Dr Pabitra Sarkar, among others, spoke at the event.

However, a total of 351 stalls have been set up at the fairground, divided into two compounds, Bangla Academy and Suhrawardi Udyan.

The fair will remain open from 3:00pm to 9:00pm everyday excluding holidays.

Moreover, the fair will be open at 11:00am on holidays including Fridays while it will remain open from 8:00am to 9:00pm on February 21, the International Mother Language Day.

The authorities have also taken additional security measures for the fairgoers.

BDST: 1756 HRS, FEB 01, 2015