UNION MINISTER for Information Dr Pe Myint joined the virtual launching ceremony of the 7Book Zay Online Bookstore and Book Fair yesterday morning.

The ceremony was opened with the greeting messages of writers Chit Oo Nyo, Maung Thar Cho, Than Myint Aung, Pon Nya Khin and Sabai Phyu Nu video clips.

In delivering a keynote speech, the Union Minister talked about the Myanmar book rental shops in the past when the gap between the income of the readers and the value of books was high, and the need to establish major book stores for literary development of the country. He also advised selling the physical books at the 7Book Zay Online Bookstore, like international-level book stores in neighbouring countries.

The Union Minister congratulated the bookstore for its objectives to promote literary works and public knowledge and emphasized the importance of writers, publishers and distributors for development of this sector.

He also pointed out the crucial role of literary critics in promoting book sales, the requirement of book clubs in the country and organizing literary talks and paper reading sessions online during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Daw Nang Calyar Win, the chairperson of Myanmar Publishers and Booksellers Association, discussed the need for a reliable e-commerce platform for online book sales.

U Thaung Su Nyein, CEO of Information Matrix Co,Ltd explained the background of 7Book Zay Online Bookstore and its plan to sell e-books and audiobooks.

The 7Book Zay Online Bookstore was launched by cutting the virtual ribbon, followed by a video presentation about the 7Book Zay and Book Fair. The two sessions of panel discussions were held on the topics of ‘New Normal Life and Changes in Book Publishing Works’ and ‘Reading and Online Bookshelf’.

—MNA

(Translated by Aung Khin)

Photo: MNA

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