The government has decided to waive 55 percent of stall rent for publishers participating in the Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Dr. Md. Selim Reza, member secretary of the fair’s organizing committee, through an official press release. The decision followed a meeting with publishers held at the Shaheed Munir Chowdhury Auditorium of Bangla Academy, chaired by Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.

During the meeting, publishers presented various demands concerning the current state of the publishing industry. The cultural affairs adviser expressed agreement with most of the proposals, including the formulation of a national book policy, and urged publishers to submit written recommendations to the ministry. The waiver applies to all publishers participating in the fair scheduled for February 20.

According to the press release, publishers who have already paid their stall rent will receive refunds for the excess amount, while those yet to pay can deposit the revised amount directly at the new rate.