Minister: National publishing house will open in three months

Minister of Dhivehi Language, Culture and Heritage, Adam Naseer Ibrahim, says that a national publishing house will be established within three months – as promised by the administration.

The establishment of a national publishing house is an electoral pledge made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, aimed at reviving nationalism. It is also part of the administration’s ‘Hafuthaa 14’ roadmap, or first 100-day goals.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, Naseer said the cabinet has approved the necessary paperwork for the project.

“The work on establishment of a national publishing house is set to take three months. In Sha Allah, it will be done within the set timeframe. Necessary discussions are in progress with relevant stakeholders,” he said.

Naseer said that the key purpose of the project is to publish the books of academics whose works have cultural and historical significance.

He said that the state will publish 50-100 copies of such works.

Naseer also noted that publishing is currently not a profitable business in Maldives, and that private publishers are struggling.

He said that having a national publishing house will promote publishing and benefit private companies.

Naseer said the national publishing house will primarily publish papers and book translations by the Heritage Ministry, as well as works of literature that preserve Maldives’ culture and heritage.