Q: Who can
participate in the Lahore International Book
Fair?
A: Any
publisher or bookseller in Pakistan or out
of Pakistan can participate in the LIBF by
fulfilling its terms and conditions. These
are set out on the website.
Q: How can
a foreign publisher set up and manage its
own stall?
A:
Under current Pakistani laws, books can be
imported into the country only by a company
legally registered for import with the
relevant trade authority. Similarly, books
can be sold only by companies legally
registered with the Income Tax authorities.
Therefore foreign publishers can book stalls
and sell their books at Book Fairs only
through their legally constituted and
registered Pakistani agents or distributors.
If they wish their stall to be named after
their company, they must pay US$500.00 per
stall plus bank clearing charges. But if
they want their stall to be named after
their Pakistani agent or distributor, they
must pay Pak Rs 25,000.00. Under the local
rules of the Expo Centre, the venue of the
LIBF every year, all local or foreign stalls
must be managed by Pakistanis and not
foreigners.
Q: How can
one book and pay for the stalls?
A: You
can book a stall by downloading the forms
from our website, filling them in and
sending them to us along with a cheque, bank
draft or telegraphic transfer as the case
may be. You can also safely and securely pay
online with a valid credit card.
Q: What’s
the deadline for booking and paying for a
stall?
A: The
last date is December 31st of every year.
After that late bookings can be entertained
only if there is any space available.
Q: Can the
LIBF arrange Visa facility for foreign
participants?
A: The
LIBF can recommend participants to the
various Pakistan embassies abroad. Generally
speaking a recommendation from the LIBFT
will enable a participant to obtain a visa
but this is subject to the applicant
fulfilling all the requirements of the
Embassy.
Q: How many
persons per foreign company can be assisted
to obtain a visa?
A:
Generally speaking two persons per company
may be recommended for a visa by the LIBFT.
But in special circumstances with valid
justification, spouses and children of
participants can also be recommended. All
Visa applications for LIBFT recommendation
must be submitted at least three months in
advance from date of departure.
Q: Are
Visas recommended by LIBFT valid for cities
apart from Lahore?
A:
Generally speaking, yes. But for visitors
from India, special rules apply which are
related to reciprocity by the governments of
the two countries. Indian citizens must
specify in their visa applications the
cities they wish to visit in Pakistan.
Q: Can the
LIBFT help arrange hotel accommodation etc?
A: We
can help identify and put you in touch with
hotels and motels in Lahore to fit your
price range but all bookings, advances etc
must be done directly by the participant.
Q: Is the
LIBFT related in any way to the Karachi Book
Fair?
A: Both
organisations are linked to the Pakistan
Publishers and Booksellers Association but
work independently.
Q: Can any
non-bookselling company participate in the
LIBF?
A: Only
companies or individuals involved in the
book trade or in education can participate
in the LIBF. But the LIBFT encourages
companies in non-bookselling activity to
sponsor the LIBF and promote their products
at display stalls in the exhibition hall. In
the past, Toyota Motor Co, Mobilink,
Unilever, Union Bank, TCS and several others
have all sponsored the LIBF. |