Dhaka, Jan. 27 -- The annual Amar Ekushey Book Fair will begin on Feb 20 after the 13th parliamentary election, with stall rents reduced by 25 percent, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs has announced.

In a statement, the ministry said that the decision was taken following requests from publishers participating in the fair. Cultural Affairs Advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki approved the reduction in stall fees, it added.

The Bangla Academy, which organises the fair, will implement the decision "as quickly as possible", while the fair's management committee will provide further details, according to the ministry.

Md Abul Bashar Firoz Sheikh, a director of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, said on Monday that publishers ...