Dhaka, Feb. 10 -- The Amar Ekushey Book Fair has been scheduled to begin on Feb 20 despite objections from some publishers, with the government deciding to waive 55 percent of stall rents for participating publishers.

The decision was announced at a meeting with publishers held at Bangla Academy on Tuesday.

Earlier, 321 publishing houses in a joint statement had said they would not participate in the fair scheduled to begin on Feb 20, citing fears of "low reader turnout", "humanitarian challenges", and "economic risks".

They said holding the fair in February after the national election and during the month of Ramadan would make it difficult for them to take part due to business and humanitarian risks.

The publishers added that if the ...