A good result at the close of a more optimistic Liber which will surely give the publishing market a boost. A good conclusion for Liber 2018, which today saw the end of its 36th fair at the Gran Via de Fira venue in Barcelona, ...
reaffirming the catalytic role the fair plays in boosting publishing sales, especially overseas. In an atmosphere of greater optimism and intense commercial activity, Liber brought together professionals from across the whole book value chain and reflected some of the outstanding trends in the publishing market. Liber 2018 drew in close to 11,000 professionals, 10% more than the last event organized by Fira de Barcelona. Of note among them were 550 key buyers and influencers in book purchasing and distribution abroad, invited directly by the organization and by promotional bodies, interested in investigating offerings from the 361 participating exhibitors and ready to place orders on site. The president of the Spanish Association of Publishers Guilds (FGEE) and Liber’s organizing committee, Daniel Fernández, expressed satisfaction with how the fair went and the growth in attendance: “The initial good signs came to fruition: more visitors, more activity, more optimism. The three days of the fair will have a positive impact on the sector’s sales figures, particularly in exports to Latin America and the USA, two highly important markets for us”. Fernández was also pleased with the news when the fair opened – by the minister for culture and sport, José Guirao – of the possibility of a VAT reduction on digital books, putting it on par with printed books. “We hope that this will happen soon, as it will surely help boost reading”, he emphasized.
Read the press release here
