20000327

NBF realises

Rs 120m sale

turnover

ISLAMABAD: The National Book Foundation (NBF), has realised an estimated Rs. 120 million sales turnover this year, turning it into a profit earning organisation.

Ahmed Faraz, Managing Director of the Foundation on Sunday said that before 1996, the NBF was considered to be a sinking ship reeling under huge accumulated losses. But, it has turned the tide with the extent that it gave bonus of one-month salary to its 157 employees working in 17 offices throughout the country.

He said at present 74 text books plus hundreds of other general books were being published by the foundation at low prices. The text books from class I to XII would be available in the market within a few days, well in advance from the commencement of the next educational session.

Taking printing businesses from the government departments and earning sole distribution rights of good foreign books were the main factors behind this success, he said adding that the foundation succeeded to break even in 1997 and almost wiped out accumulated losses.

Ahmed Faraz said that the printing standard of the text books were very high as specific rules were followed strictly while giving contracts. The printing of pictures and diagrams are done in four-colour making it attractive for the students, particularly children in lower classes using imported paper from Holland, he added.

He said the objectives of the foundation was to make books available at low prices, promotion of reading habits and encouragement to authors for which plans were in progress to achieve them. Braille books for visually handicapped were also being published, he said.ÑAPP