TEHRAN-Iran has celebrated a significant accomplishment in achieving self-sufficiency by producing its own paper for the country's textbooks. 

The celebration took place at the Mazandaran Wood & Paper Industries (MWPI) in Sari, located in the northern province of Mazandaran on Friday. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Mohammad-Mehdi Esmaeili, Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, along with a number of cultural figures and members of parliament from the province.

In his speech at the ceremony, the minister expressed his delight in overcoming obstacles that once hindered paper production. Emphasizing the need to expand beyond national borders, Esmaeili highlighted the importance of becoming a professional exporter and covering the entire region.

During his speech, the minister extended his gratitude to the dedicated director and workers of MWPI, acknowledging their instrumental role in this achievement. 

Reflecting on his visit to the factory two years prior, he noted the lack of clarity at the time. However, today, he proudly declared that the factory is now responsible for the production of paper for all 155 million textbooks in the country.

Esmaeili further emphasized that this milestone signifies not only self-sufficiency in producing paper for textbooks but also the broader journey towards self-reliance in the publishing industry as a whole. In light of this accomplishment, he called for serious consideration of the nationalization of the publishing sector, recognizing the potential it holds for further growth and development.

He also underscored the crucial task of supporting domestic paper production and commended the dedicated efforts of his colleagues, as he highlighted the formation of the paper and publishing committee within the government.

Esmaeili further announced plans for a prominent paper production complex in Shiraz, which will have an annual output of 50,000 tons of paper. Additionally, he mentioned the ongoing progress of the Green Paper Foundation, signifying the government's commitment to sustainable practices. The Minister regarded the growth and significance of paper production as a proud national symbol.

Underlining the government's resolve, Esmaeili informed that they have assumed full responsibility for paper production, resulting in all textbooks being printed with domestically produced paper. This momentous achievement marks a significant milestone in the nation's drive towards self-reliance.

In an effort to bolster the book industry, the government has taken significant strides in terms of infrastructure development and addressing taxation issues faced by publishers, he added. 

Highlighting the achievements in the field of paper production, the minister expressed confidence in the ability to meet the domestic demand for quality paper. 

Notable changes have been made to the budget allocation cycle, which has facilitated various activities, he mentioned.  

Addressing concerns regarding the quality of Iranian paper production, the minister acknowledged the criticisms that have been raised. However, he emphasized that no one is obligated to use Iranian paper, but encouraged local publication houses to support the domestic industry by utilizing it.

The culture ministry distributes approximately one thousand tons of paper to publishers every month, he noted and added: “This initiative is just one example of the government's commitment to supporting and promoting the book industry in Iran.”

Highlighting the significance of domestically produced paper, Esmaeili informed that magazines in various cities are now being published using local paper.

Expanding on the government's commitment to the cultural sector, Esmaeili highlighted the increased budget allocation for the upcoming year. 

The approved budget for the cultural sector surpasses that of the current year, signaling the government's dedication to fostering the growth and development of cultural initiatives, he explained. 

Discussing the subsidy allocated to books, the minister stated that this year, the subsidy has been amplified to benefit both writers and book purchasers, with the ultimate goal of promoting a thriving book market throughout the year.

Shedding light on developments related to the Tehran International Book Fair, he shared that preparations are underway to host the event in multiple locations.

Notably, a complex has been designated to provide various sections for the fair, resulting in an increased accessible space from 140,000 square meters to an impressive 200,000 square meters, he added. 

These enhancements are expected to elevate the stature of the fair and create a more enriching experience for attendees, he concluded. 

SAB/