PRESIDENT’S REPORT
(Accomplishments from the period August 31, 2007 to November 3, 2009 delivered on the occasion of the turnover ceremony of the ABPA Presidency, November 4, 2009, Jakarta, Indonesia)
On August 29, 2007 when you entrusted to me the leadership of this prestigious regional association – ABPA, and to which I accepted the challenge, I laid down in my Acceptance Speech the following:
I. PLAN OF ACTIONS FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS
With the legal infrastructures set-up, ties and friendships developed, it is hoped that the following programs would be realized in the next two (2) years through the following ABPA’s Working Committees:
A.Legal, Copyright and Licensing Committee:
1.Recognition of ABPA as ASEAN Accredited Civil Society Organization.
2.Matrix of Comparison of Member-Countries’ Legal Infrastructure including Copyright, National Book Policy and other related documentations as bases of legislative proposals to the respective governments or Asean policy enactments (on the assumption that ABPA would be recognized by the ASEAN) with the view of establishing uniformed “best practices” in the region.
B.Book Fairs, International Fora and Foreign Affairs Committee
1.To continue what has been initiated by the former President of ABPA, Mr. Thanachai like attendance in international book fairs, holding of fora on publishing, ABPA meetings, establishing beautifully designed and respectable pavilions that would accommodate ASEAN publications and other promotional activities like book launching, presentations of “ten” books of each country and other innovations;
2.Establishment of ABPA’s website and newsletter;
C.Co-Publishing, Translation and Distribution Rights Committee
1.Preparation of an Asean Directory of book publishers and booksellers;
2.Development of bibliographic data base of authors and their works with information on market profitability and the identification of popular works for various markets; e.g. fiction, comic books, etc., for possible translation, adaption, reprinting, licensing or co-publishing;
3.Undertaking of market surveys to develop better, high quality market coverage with the view of reducing marketing costs;
4.Promotion of reading habits in an ASEAN-wide basis;
5.Institutionalization of ASEAN Awards for writers, translators, distributors, publishers and other appropriate recipients.
D.Training and Development Committee
1.Participation on ASEAN exchanges on technical and educational cooperation and training.
2.Exchanges of seminar and trainings among member-countries’ associates and employees on book publishing, printing, distribution, editing and related activities.
Finally, it is hoped that the ABPA as a body or through its individual members would be able to convince Laos, Cambodia and Myanmmar to be formally admitted to ABPA and actively participate in our activities.
These are our goals. Let us therefore join hands and exert efforts for the realization of the same.
If we are united, our ultimate goals which is “the enhancement of business profitability in book publishing in the region” will not be an impossible dream.
II. WHAT WE HAVE DONE
Since August 29, 2007, ABPA has held two (2) Annual General Meetings, including this 5th AGM, hosted ten (10) Executive and Committee Meetings, conducted five (5) fora on book publishing and other related industries and meetings as well as participated in international book fairs not only in ASEAN region but likewise in Taipei, Hongkong, Korea and Japan where ABPA has a pavilion.
Based on our plan of actions, ABPA through its Working Committees has accomplished among others the following:
a) Recognition of ABPA as an ASEAN entity with the permission to use the word “ASEAN”;
b) Establishment/creation and maintenance of ABPA website at www.abpa.asia under the leadership of Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA);
c)Giving of ABPA Book Awards in 2008 and 2009, including its mechanics and guidelines for Academic, Children and General Book Awards;
d)Release and Distribution of ABPA Newsletter titled “Bridge to Regional Understanding”;
e)Conduct of ABPA Strategic Planning and Building Meeting held from September 9 to 11, 2008 at Manor Hotel Camp John Hay, Baguio City, Philippines;
f) Holding of 1st ABPA Book Design Workshop from February 28 to March 2, 2009 at Brunei Darussalam under the leadership of Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka;
g)Holding of IKAPI –REX Editors’ Forum on September 15, 2009 at Traders Hotel, Pasay City, Philippines;
h)Production of ABPA materials, directory and paraphernalia;
i) Passage of twenty-three (23) resolutions;
j) Partner in Asean Publishing Convention held on July 16-17, 2009 at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Makati City, Philippines;
k)Participated in Ubud Writers Festival in 2008 and 2009 at Ubud, Bali Indonesia;
l)Camaraderie, Unity, Oneness and Friendship.
III. DETAILED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A.Meetings Held
ABPA has held the following Working Committee Meetings:
1. October 25, 2007 at Hanoi, Vietnam with participant-delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam (4 out of 7 active member-countries)
2. November 14, 2007 at Jakarta, Indonesia with participant-delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore (5 out of 7 active member-countries)
3. February 27, 2008 at Brunei Darussalam with participant-delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore (5 out of 7 active member-countries)
4. March 26, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand with participant delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand (6 out of 7 active member-countries)
5. It must also be noted, however that ABPA delegates have attended the 2008 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, International Book Fair and the International Conference on Book Industry (ICoBI) from April 3 to 8, 2008, wherein ABPA member-countries had presented their respective country-reports.
6. Executive Working Committee Meeting held on November 12, 2008 at Jakarta Convention Center, Jakarta, Indonesia with participant delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore (5 out of 7 active member-countries);
7. Executive Working Committee Meeting held on February 27, 2009, at Palm Garden Hotel, Singapore, with participant-delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore (4 out of 7 active member-countries);
8. Executive Session held on March 26, 2009 Thursday at Retro Live Café Bangkok, Thailand with participant-delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand (6 out of 7 active member-countries);
9. Executive Session held on April 8, 2009, Saturday at Pioman room, Putra World Trade Center at KualaLumpur, Malaysia with participant-delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore (5 out of 7 active member-countries);
10. Executive Committee Meeting held on September 16, 2009 at Traders Hotel, Pasay City, Philippines with participant-delegates from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam (7 out of 7 member-countries).
B. ABPA’s Fora
ABPA likewise sponsored and participated in the following international fora:
1. ABPA-PEPA-BEAP Forum – “Enhancing Business Profitability in Book Publishing Among ASEAN Countries: Ways and Means” Manila, Philippines on August 29, 2007;
2. “Enhancing Business Profitability in the Book Publishing Industry Through E-Marketing” in Brunei Darussalam on February 27, 2008;
3. “Selling Beyond Your Local Book Market: New Strategies, New Ideas” in Bangkok, Thailand on March 26, 2008;
4. “Country Report on the Latest Trend and Development on Book Publishing” in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 5, 2008;
5. “How the ASEAN Publishing Industry Will Be Affected by the Popularity of Digital Contents” in Bangkok, Thailand on March 26, 2009.
C. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AND AGREEMENTS
A. During the Vietnam meeting in 2007, the following Resolutions were adopted:
A.1. Res. No. 9- Resolution Creating the Membership, Information and Technology Committee
A.2. Res. No. 10- Resolution Creating the Marketing Distribution and ASEAN Wide-Readership Committee
A.3. Res. No. 11- Resolution Appointing Atty. Rodelio T. Dascil as Secretary-General of ABPA in Accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws.
In said meeting, the designation and appointments of the following were made:
1. As Chairman of the Membership Information Technology Committee, Mr. Tran Doan Lam of Vietnam
2. As Chairperson of Marketing Distribution and ASEAN Wide Readership Committee Appointment, Ms. Risuan Aramcharoen from Thailand.
3. Deputy Secretary General for International Affairs and In-Charge of Book Fairs Committee, Ms. Breezy Santiago.
4. Deputy Secretary General for Operations, Ms. Lee Ulangca.
Also in said meeting, the following were discussed and agreed upon:
1.Creation of ABPA’s newsletter
2.Creation of ABPA’s website
B.During the Jakarta’s meeting the following were discussed and agreed upon:
1)Designation of Mr. Setia Dharma Madjid as Chairperson of the Committee on Marketing, Distribution and ASEAN-Wide Readership Committee in lieu of Ms. Risuan Aramcharoen.
2)The approval of the ABPA’s Newsletter to be subtitled “Bridge to Regional Understanding.”
3)The granting of ABPA Book Awards for Academic Books, Children’s Books and General Books. The Mechanics and Guidelines on ABPA Book Awards was presented and discussed.
4)Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA) through Ms. Lim Li Kok has volunteered Singapore to be the moderator of ABPA’s Website. Thereafter, a Sub-Committee on Website Development was created to be headed by SBPA with Mr. Philip Tatham as moderator.
C.In Brunei Darussalam, the following Resolutions were adopted:
a) Res. No. 12- Resolution Requiring the Mandatory Attendance of all the Chief Delegates in all Annual General Meetings as well as Attendance-Participation of all the Chief Delegates or his/her Representatives in all ABPA’s Book Fairs, Fora and Executive or Working Committee Meetings in order to Ensure Solidity and Unity with the End in View of Realizing ABPA’s Objectives and Purposes.
b) Res. No. 13- Resolution Approving the Giving of ABPA’s Book Awards, its Mechanics and Guidelines.
c) Res. No. 14- Resolution Approving the Creation of ABPA’s Book Award Judging Committee for the Year 2008 to be Composed of Singapore, Brunei Darussalam and Malaysia.
ABPA Newletter’s mask head, contents and features of the ABPA website were approved on said meeting.
D.During the Bangkok 2008 Meeting the following resolutions were adopted:
- a) Res. No. 15- Resolution Urging Each Member-Country of ABPA to Exert on Best Effort to Engage Actively in Multilingual and Multicultural Co-Publishing and Translation in English with the End in View of Coming-up with Southeast Asian Books on Culture, Arts, Folktales, Folklores and Society in Order to Address the Dearth of Books and other Educational Materials on the Matter as well as to Attain Regional Economic Cooperation.
It must also be pointed-out that specific details on ABPA website as well as Book Awards were threshed-out and fine-tuned.
E.During the Kuala Lumpur 2008 Meeting, the delegates of member-countries have agreed to fully support all the activities of ABPA and be united, solid and one in all decisions relative to ABPA and any of its members.
Likewise, in the subsequent meetings of ABPA, the following resolutions were adopted.
Resolution No. 16 – Resolution Appointing Ms. Triena Ong, President of Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA) as Treasurer of ABPA Pursuant to Rule IV, Paragraphs (1) and (10) of Constitution and By-Laws
Resolution No. 17 – Resolution Authorizing the ABPA President to Discuss and Meet with the World Bank Regarding the Problems on Publishing in Indonesia
Resolution No. 18 – Resolution Urging All National Publishing Associations of Member-Countries of ABPA to Exert Their Best Effort to Have English Translation in All International Book Fairs, Publishing Forum and Related Activities
Resolution No. 19 – Resolution Approving the Creation of ABPA Book Awards Judging Committee for the Year 2009 to be Composed of Chief Delegate or Representative from the Member-Countries of Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines
Resolution No. 20 – Resolution Approving the Holding of a Three – Day Book Design Workshop from February 28 to March 2, 2009 at Brunei Darussalam in Conjunction with Brunei Book Fair 2009 Organized by Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka Brunei in Cooperation with ABPA
Resolution No. 21 – Resolution Expressing the Gratitude and Thanks of the ABPA to Dewan Bahasa Dan Pustaka Brueni (DBP) for Organizing and Sponsoring the 1st ABPA Book Design Workshop and Commending the DBP for the Success of the Workshop
Resolution No. 22 – Resolution Commending Dr. Mataim Bin Bakar for His Active Participation and Support to All ABPA Activities from 2006 to February 27, 2009 and Expressing the Warm Congratulations of ABPA on His Promotion
Resolution No. 23 – Resolution Authorizing the ABPA President to Sign In Behalf of ABPA as Partner in the Holding of 2009 Asian Publishing Convention
Resolution No. 24 – Resolution Commending the MBKM and MABOPA for Adhering to ABPA Resolution No. 18 Urging All National Publishing Association of Member-Countries of ABPA to Exert their Best Effort to Have English Translation in All International Book Fairs Publishing Forum and Related Activities by Providing English Translation in All Speeches During the 2009 Pesta Buku Antarabangsa, Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair
Resolution No. 25 – Resolution Expressing the Gratitude and Thanks of the ABPA to MABOPA and MBKM for Providing Good Accommodation to ABPA as well as Commending the MABOPA and MBKM for a Successful 2009 Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair
Resolution No. 26 – Resolution Granting Presidential Appreciation to Her Excellency Ambassador Virginia Benavidez, in Recognition of Her Support and Invaluable Contribution to ABPA
Resolution No. 27 – Resolution Expressing the Gratitude and Thanks of ABPA to Rex Group of Companies for Organizing and Sponsoring the Ikapi-Rex Editors’ Forum Held on September 15, 2009 at Traders Hotel, Pasay City, Philippines and Commending Both Ikapi and Rex Group of Companies for the Success of the Forum
Resolution No. 28 – Resolution Stating the Agreed Courses of Action That Should Be Implemented as a Result of (Ikatan Penerbit Indonesia) Ikapi-Rex Editors’ Forum Held on September 15, 2009 at Traders Hotel, Pasay City Philippines
Resolution No. 29 – Resolution Expressing the Sense of Asean Book Publishers Association (ABPA) Endorsing the Nomination of Atty. Dominador D. Buhain of Philippines, to The Vacant Position of Vice-President of Asia Pacific Publishers Association (APPA), and More Than 10 Years Member-Delegate to International Publishers Association (IPA)
Likewise, the President has presented the following awards:
1. Brunei Darussalam through a Presidential Citation, entitled “Commending Dewan Bahasa Pustaka Brunei (DBP) for Adhering to ABPA Resolution No. 18 Urging All National Publishing Association of Member-Countries of ABPA to Exert their Best Effort to Have English Translation in All International Book Fairs Publishing Forum and Related Activities”
2. Citation and resolutions of thanks to the host countries and member-associations for the accommodation and support.