Andina

Peru's President enacts law on textbooks

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic.

Photo: ANDINA/Presidency of the Republic.

10:42 | Lima, Oct. 14.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday enacted a law that recognizes and encourages the right to read, while promoting the use of textbooks in the country.

The ceremony took place this morning at the Government Palace in Peru's capital city Lima.

During the establishment of the National Mental Health Council (CONASAME), the Head of State noted that the Government and Congress reached a consensus to approve said rule.

This law ensures the extension of tax benefits to the publishing industry and introduces important aspects such as "the textbook fund," which provides S/16 million (around US$4.4 million) a year for the Ministry of Culture to promote reading in libraries and other venues nationwide.

"(We are) strengthening the publishing industry and the so-called book ecosystem, where editors, authors, mediators, and readers work together to strengthen reading," he affirmed.

In addition, he said, next year during its Independence Bicentennial, Peru will be the guest of honor at the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) —the largest publishing encounter in Latin America.

"How could we not attend this fair when there is a law that recognizes and supports the promotion of reading and books," he said, noting that the rule will be published Thursday in El Peruano official gazette.


(END) CVC/RMB

Published: 10/14/2020