Entities related to the book sector delivered a request to Minister Tristán Bauer, holder of the portfolio of Culture of the Nation, in order to continue with the aid corresponding to the Emergency Assistance Program for Work and Production (ATP).

As they expressed through a statement to the media, the entities referred to the hard time that publishers are going through, graphic industries, distributors and bookstores and asked for the continuity of the program in the face of the government announcement regarding the reduction in the universe of activities aided by the program.

Beyond that the activities have been resumed in the greatest number of cases, according to the letter sent to the Ministry, "Even today the production and commercialization of the book suffers results with a negative inter-annual variation and, Thus, have trouble holding on and not going away. That is to say, with the risk of not producing or marketing and of guaranteeing the jobs they occupy ".

Another point that the application emphasizes is that bookstores are the weakest link, at the same time that they constitute the main mouth of the business, on which the others depend, at the same time they are promoters of culture.

Among the signatory entities are the Argentine Book Chamber (CAL), Argentina Chamber Publications (CAP), Argentine Federation of Libraries, Stationery and Related Activities (FALPA), Argentine Federation of the Graphic and Related Industry (FAIGA), Argentine Society of Writers (SADE) and the El Libro Foundation (FEL).

The letter to Tristán Bauer signed by the entities of the book:

Buenos Aires, 30 October 2020

Minister of Culture of the Nation

Prof. Tristan Bauer

Of our most consideration:

We turn to you. to request that, through him, the permanence of publishers is managed, graphic industries, distributors and bookstores in the current list of Critical Activities of the Emergency Assistance Program for Work and Production, ATP.

The entire book value chain is in a critical situation and, in a majority way, with a negative inter-annual variation in its billing. That is to say, is included among those activities of our economy that the government, according to its manifestation, has decided that they will be able to keep the benefit.

As is your safe knowledge, the timid recovery of the last two months –after a stoppage and subsequent partial resuscitation of the activity- not enough, anyway, to cover the fixed expenses of companies and businesses. Thus, the ATP Program, and above all the benefit of the complementary salary, has been a great help to sustain employment in the sector and offset the sharp drop in sales.

In this dramatic scenario, all the actors of the ecosystem are included and affected: authors, editors, graphics, dealers, bookshelves. The latter are the most fragile link and, at once, strategic commercially and culturally; the rest depends on their permanence.

Help the creative functioning today, productive and commercial in the world of books will allow us to face the enormous challenge that the year ahead will mean. Argentina has an industry with history, plurality and declared pride, and should continue to have it. The withdrawal of the ATP would mean a death sentence for many of the members of our sector, with the consequent loss of jobs.

The undersigned are institutions that represent it in its entirety. Therefore, we hope to be heard and satisfied in this request.

From now, We appreciate your management and we greet you cordially.

– Argentina Book Chamber (CAL)

– Argentina Chamber Publications (CAP)

– Argentine Federation of Libraries, Stationery and Related Activities (FALPA)

– Argentine Federation of the Graphic and Related Industry (FAIGA)

– Argentine Society of Writers (SADE)

– The Book Foundation (FEL)