Publishers appeal the President to lift off VAT on books

TIRANA, Jan.9 – In a public letter directed to the Albanian president Bamir Topi, writers, translators, critics, scholars and publishers have appealed the latest decision to apply the Value Added Tax on publications that come from abroad. A long list of 90 names includes well-known figures of literature. The letter brings examples from other countries when special facilities have been applied to the publishing import in order to increase the reading levels in the population. Declining book reading levels have been notice4d in Albania as well. The letter also explains that the decision has not been consulted with interest groups and that it severely limits the relationship of Albanian readers with the books. The price of the books would immediately increase by 20 percent in the case when the new Vat decision is implemented. The letter says that the decision brings back barriers for foreign language books which are necessary if Albanians are to know and to befriend other regions as well as countries where co- nationals live and work.