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 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).
