CEOSpeak 2018: India-EU Publishing Forum

MoS HRD Satya Pal Singh emphasised the richness of ancient Indian literature to be leveraged across the globe.

On the side lines of New Delhi World Book Fair (NDWBF), FICCI and National Book Trust (NBT) jointly organized the 6th edition of CEOSpeak on January 7, 2018.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Satya Pal Singh, Minister of State for Human Resource Development (Higher Education), Government of India insisted everyone to celebrate this festival of literature. Highlighting the need of taking forward the message of spirituality and harmony, he appealed the publishers to promote and come out with more Vedic literature and also focus on spiritual books. While discouraging plagiarism in the publishing sector, the Minister said that the government is taking effective measures to curb the menace.

Dr. Singh applauded FICCI and National Book Trust India for creating this forum where exchange of ideas and knowledge can take place.

European Union was the Guest of Honour at this year’s NDWBF. Reflecting the same theme, this edition of CEOSpeak was organized as India – EU Publishing Forum, where a large delegation of representatives of European Union and India joined.

H.E. Tomasz Kozlowski, Ambassador, Delegation of European Union to India highlighted the rich cultural and literary tradition that both, Europeans and Indian nurture and said, “It is clear that interest among European publishers in the Indian market will continue to grow in the coming years as the Indian book market promises considerable growth potential.”

The book publishing sector in Europe employs some 150,000 people directly and up to some 700,000 indirectly. In the 36-40 billion Euros global book market, the European book publishing sector takes a 22-24 billion Euros share.

Kozlowski in this regard said,“New trends in the publishing industries such as the use of e-books might revolutionize the book markets both in Europe and India. This opportunity will allow us with the Member States to jointly showcase the dynamic European publishing production in the growing Indian market, and bring contemporary European literature even closer to the Indian people.”

While, Baldeo Bhai Sharma, Chairman, National Book Trust, India emphasised on the need of advertising translated literature in the global market and said, “The business of publishing does not take sustenance only from the publication of original titles, which is of course the basis of the business, but it is the translation that provides the major dynamo.”

He added, “It is our urge to know each other’s culture and literature that proves to be the main guiding spirit for the business of translation and copyright exchange.”

Ratnesh Jha, Co-Chair, FICCI Publishing Committee and Mg Director, Cambridge University Press said, “There is a need for right interpretation of law related to Copyrights, IP, Rights and License. The knowledge economy requires collaboration and cooperation from all the stakeholders to further create capacity building program for younger generation.”

Antoine Gallimard, Head, Madrigall, France in his address said, “Forums like this allow future exchanges with a better knowledge of the expectations of the market and linguistic, demographic and creative dynamics that inhabit it.”

While, Ambika Sharma, Director General (International), FICCI in her welcome address said, “India and EU have a great potential in the publishing sector. The publishing sector stands to gain through this collaboration, in reaching out to emerging economic paradigms in the region and seek opportunities for Indian industry.”

Annemarie Blumenhagen, Director of Rights, Ullestein Buchverlage, Germany and Marisol Schulz Manaut, Director General, Guadalaraja International Book Fair, Mexico also made their presentations about the respective publishing market.

The conference witnessed participation from over 150 CXOs from India and the European Union.