They also called for tariff reduction in white and offset paper import to help provide books at cheaper rates for students and general readers.

The finance adviser has proposed reduction in customs duty on newsprint import from the existing 25 percent to 15 percent.

Mirza Azizul Islam said the reduction proposal was made "considering the problems of newspaper industry and at the same time keeping the raw materials for newsprint duty-free to develop the local newsprint industry."

The book publishers made the pleas at a press conference in Dhaka on Thursday focusing on the problems relating to publication and book sales.

Bangladesh Pustak Prakashak and Bikreta Samity (an association of book publishers and sellers) organised the press conference to press home their demands.

Reducing duty on newsprint only by 10 percent is not sufficient to safeguard this business, President of the association Md Abu Taher said, urging the authorities to recognise the book publication as an industry.

The leaders of the association also demanded establishment of a book research complex under private sector management.

Association Vice President Abul Kalam and directors MA Salam, ANM Mizanur Rahman and ABM Shah Alam were also present at the press conference.