National Reading Plan foresees reduction of taxes on book imports

The National Reading Plan 2024/2027, approved by the Head of State by Presidential Decree and already published in the Official Gazette of 8 November, provides for the reduction of taxes and tariffs arising from the customs clearance of resources destined for the printing industry.

The diploma also aims to promote the reduction of taxes on income from bookselling, publishing and printing activities, which should be subject, in general, to the legal provisions in force, without prejudice to those that may be created in order to reduce the cost of books.

According to the Presidential Decree, the approval of the National Reading Plan, also known as “PLANALEITURA”, ensures that individuals or legal entities dedicated to publishing, printing or similar services benefit from a reduced regime in the payment of taxes and fees for the import of equipment, accessories, main and subsidiary raw materials, or similar articles inherent to the bookselling activity.

The reduction of taxes and fees for the import of books, guaranteed by this diploma, safeguards the commitments arising from international treaties signed and ratified by Angola, without prejudice to the procedures inherent to export processes.

Likewise, the diploma provides for the allocation of funds from the General State Budget (OGE) for the establishment of programs in the field of books and reading.

The Presidential Decree bases the approval of the National Reading Plan on the recognition that the practice of reading is extremely important for the development of any country, as it constitutes a fundamental part of the process of education and teaching of citizens and society.

The document states that reading broadens the horizons and opportunities of citizens, by increasing knowledge, intellectual development, building a personality with the ability to argue, critical sense and express opinions, through the use of a diverse vocabulary appropriate to the situation.

The diploma highlights that the Angolan Executive recognizes that it is a great challenge to make reading a pleasurable daily habit, with the aim of developing this culture from childhood, encouraging the habit of reading among young people and adults and, thus, contributing to human development.

The document also points out that reading, in addition to being an extremely important practice for the country, represents a fundamental pillar in the education and teaching process. Broadening the horizons and opportunities of citizens through knowledge, intellectual development, and the construction of a critical personality are some of the objectives defended by the diploma.

One of the country's great challenges, according to the document, is to make reading a daily and pleasurable activity. To this end, it is necessary to develop a taste for this practice from childhood, as well as to encourage the habit among young people and adults, thus contributing to the development of human capital.

The document therefore stresses that it is essential to develop actions that promote the practice of reading, contributing to social and economic development, through the adoption of innovative measures, with the involvement of the State, the private sector, civil society and the diaspora.

The National Reading Plan 2024-2027 is linked to the National Development Plan (PDN 2023-2027) and catalyses the materialisation of the Education, Youth, Employment and Innovation Policy, through the Programme for the Enhancement and Promotion of Culture, prioritising the development of the national cultural heritage and symbols, as well as the Programme for the Expansion and Modernisation of the Education System, with a focus on increasing the national literacy rate.

PLANALEITURA aims to achieve the goals defined in the Human Capital Development pillar, constituting a tool that will contribute positively to the process of implementing public policy measures, culminating in the improvement of the quality of education and also meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-4).

Source: https://www.jornaldeangola.ao/#/noticias/