Abstract:
In recent years the importance of statistical information on the book industry has been noted by
various role-players. Apart from the interest expressed by individual PASA and SABA members,
statistical information on the industry is also required by government. PASA, SABA, PAMSA and
PIFSA are represented by the PICC (Print Industries Cluster Council). A cultural observatory has
been set up at the HSRC, whose task it is to collate statistics on all cultural industries (that are
grouped in similar Cluster Councils) and to feed information to government. The aim of the Cluster
Councils is to make government funding available to business sectors for developing their
industries; this funding, however, is dependent on accurate and reliable information about the shape
and size of the industry. There are also regular requests from international bodies for statistical
information on the local industry for worldwide collation, e.g. International Publishers’ Association
(IPA) and the Board of the Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF).
