Arab World : Syria

SyriaInstitutions

Public administrations focusing on books

  • State publisher
    Ministry of Culture - Syrian General Authority for Books

    State foundation Function: To support book and reading policies

  • Directorate for Books
    Syrian General Authority for Books

    State foundation Function: To support book and reading policies

  • Ministry of Culture
    Ministry of Culture

    State foundation Function: To support book and reading policies

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Professional associations

  • Booksellers' associations
    Syrian Library and Documentation Association

    Public institution Function: To bring together bookstore professionals

  • Authors' associations
    Arab Writers Union

    Public institution Function: To bring together writing professionals

  • Publishers' associations
    Syrian Publishers Union

    Public institution Function: To bring together publishing professionals
    Comments

    Member of the International Publishers Association (IPA)

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Observatory

  • Observatory and survey
    Central Bureau of Statistics under the Prime Minister’s Office

    Public institution Function: To inventory

    • Statistics: There appears to be a lack of accurate and updated statistics on the number of books published annually in Syria. The number and types of books published by the Ministry of Culture can be found in sources like the Statistical Group for the years 2012–2022.

    • Publishing Sector: The Syrian Publishers Union provides information on publishing houses and industry trends through its official website (syrianpublishers.com).

    • Creative Industries in Syria: This book focuses on the transformations within the creative industries, presenting a collection of research papers that describe and analyze this critical period. The role of creative industries has evolved from producing tangible cultural products to becoming an active force in preserving knowledge and providing essential support.

     

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University programmes on books

  • Professional training
    Library Department

    University Function: Professional training

    There is one subject on the publishing industry within the Library Department.

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SyriaPublic policies

Market regulation

  • Regulation of digital trade

    Law Function: To regulate

    Law No. 3 of 2014 refers to the regulation of electronic transactions and defines the legal frameworks for e-commerce and financial transactions. This law includes specific definitions for electronic transactions, electronic contracts, and electronic payments.

  • Regulation of free competition

    Law Function: To regulate

    The law includes provisions that prohibit anti-competitive practices and agreements that restrict market freedom. A competition authority and a ban on monopolies were established under Article 6 of the law to ensure the enforcement of these provisions.

  • Opinions of professionals

    • The publishing scene in Syria is characterized by a high degree of centralization, as confirmed by most opinions. It is noted that large publishers dominate production and distribution in the country, possessing significant power and influence over publishing policies. This influence is manifested through purchases of publishing houses by local groups, such as governmental institutions, as well as some influential political parties, religious formations, or groups with large economic interests.

      Although there are no precise statistics, it is believed that the proportion of imported books in Syria is small, almost nonexistent, during the years of war. The impact of economic sanctions and the blockade on Syria is a significant factor affecting book imports. Sanctions and the blockade restrict the movement of goods, making it difficult to meet the market’s demand for imported books. Regarding internal factors, the imposition of customs duties on books represents another challenge. While the Syrian government has signed the Florence Agreement and other agreements related to the free movement of books, some publishers have confirmed that the taxes and fees imposed affect the cost of importation. There are also testimonies from publishers that books returned from participation in international book fairs are also subject to fees.

      Most public procurement for school textbooks in public schools is awarded to the “Al-Wahda” printing and publishing institution. Meanwhile, “Shashati Library” dominates the public procurement for French-language school books in private schools, and “Al-Saigh Library” receives the public procurement for English-language school books in private schools as well. There may be other undisclosed names that also obtain these contracts.

      Tenders are often announced in local newspapers, but in most cases, the contracts have already been awarded to specific suppliers.

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Public procurement

  • Public purchases of textbooks

    Public program Function: To carry out a cultural policy

    Private schools and universities obtain schoolbooks and curricula from various sources. The Ministry of Education often oversees the schoolbooks, enforcing a standardized curriculum and a specific list of books, even for private schools. Regarding universities, the Syrian government allowed the privatization of higher education in 2001.

  • Opinions of professionals

    There are no significant public procurements for books in local languages.

    As for public procurement of books for public and university libraries, it seems there is cooperation with specific suppliers for university books and public libraries, without adherence to specific standards. This is especially true for textbooks in English and French at Syrian universities, where there is typically a single supplier. This can be a challenge, given the need to balance quality, price, and availability while ensuring equal opportunities for all suppliers.

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Signing of international agreements

  • WIPO Copyright Treaty

    International agreement Function: Protection of literary and artistic works

  • Florence Agreement

    International agreement Function: Protection of literary and artistic works
    International agreement Function: Free circulation of cultural goods

    Signature: 7/8/1979
    Ratification: 16/9/1980

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Support for creation and publishing

  • Support for tanslation (intra-extra)

    Fund Function: To carry out a cultural policy

    Translated books are published through the Ministry of Culture; the General Authority for Books.
    This is done at the national level.

  • Support for literary creation

    Public program Function: To carry out a cultural policy

    This is done through the awards provided by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Syrian General Authority for Books: for novels, translation, poetry, short stories, and children’s literature.

  • Support for book publishing

    Public program Function: To implement a book and reading policy

    This is done through the Ministry of Culture; the General Authority for Books.
    It is carried out at the national level.

  • Opinions of professionals

    There are no funds to support authors, publishers, or translation.

    The three main measures to support the publishing sector in Syria:

    1. Support for Publishers and Authors:

      • Provide financial support and facilities for publishers and authors to encourage the production of books and cultural content.
      • Promote independent publishing and creative initiatives through grants and awards.

    2. Enhancing Infrastructure and Technology:

      • Develop the publishing infrastructure, including supporting printing, distribution, and marketing.
      • Promote the use of digital technology and the internet to expand reach and improve communication with readers.

    3. Cultural Awareness and Education:

      • Organize awareness campaigns about the importance of reading, publishing, and authors’ rights.
      • Encourage the establishment of public libraries and make books available to the public.

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Cultural policies

  • Literacy

    Public program Function: To carry out a cultural policy

    There are measures to combat illiteracy:

    Central Bureau of Statistics:
    Illiteracy classes, their attendees, and graduates by gender from 2017 to 2021 in the governorates.

    There is a partnership between the Syrian Ministry of Education and UNESCO to develop a national education strategy, which may include aspects related to literacy.

    The Directorate of Adult Education and Cultural Development in the Ministry of Culture plays a role in literacy through the establishment of adult education classes and literacy courses in specialized centers. These courses follow the curricula set by the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Education, and UNICEF.

    The Education and Literacy Association is one of the organizations working on literacy and offers literacy courses in Arabic. Additionally, there is the “Iqra” literacy project in Northwestern Syria, and another project in Northern Syria launched by a humanitarian development support organization.

  • Opinions of professionals

    Key Challenges Related to Public Policies for Books:

    • Legal and Regulatory Challenges: These include difficulties accessing legal information and the lack of clear guidelines on how to apply laws and legal procedures. There is also a gap in trust between the legal system, authors, and publishers.

    • Economic Challenges: The impact of the economic situation on the publishing sector, including the devaluation of the local currency, transportation and distribution difficulties, economic sanctions, and the absence of raw materials and industrial machinery for publishing.

    • Cultural and Social Challenges: The large migration of intellectuals and writers due to political, security, and economic conditions, which affects culture and education.

    • Security Challenges: The war and destruction that impacted cultural centers and libraries, along with the theft and smuggling of heritage manuscripts.

    • Technological Challenges: The need to develop the infrastructure for electronic publishing and adapt to modern technologies.

    Positive Aspects of Existing Laws:

    • Current Laws as a Foundation: The laws related to books and publishing in Syria provide a preliminary basis upon which more specific legislation regarding organization and application can be developed.

    • Development in Legislation: There have been some developments in the laws related to books, reflecting efforts toward updating and improvement.

    Changes to be Introduced to the Laws Related to Public Policies for Books:

    1. Clarification of Procedures: Clear guidelines should be provided on the steps required to implement the laws, including implementation and follow-up procedures.
    2. Enhancing Legal Awareness: Providing training and educational resources for authors, publishers, and libraries to understand their rights and obligations under the law.
    3. Facilitating Access to Information: Creating public databases and electronic platforms that allow easy access to legal texts and executive instructions on topics such as (setting up a publishing house, publishing books, importing/exporting books, etc.).
    4. Building Trust in the Legal System: Judicial and executive authorities must work transparently and fairly to gain public trust and ensure compliance with the law.

    Key Developments Related to Public Policies for Books and Reading in the Last Decade

    The situation in Syria has faced significant challenges due to the war, displacement, and destruction. The public policies for books and reading have declined dramatically due to:

    1. Economic and Social Decline:

      • Syria witnessed a major decline in economic and social conditions due to the war and displacement.
      • Cultural and educational sectors were heavily impacted, affecting writers and publishing.

    2. Lack of Support and Infrastructure:

      • There has been a lack of sufficient government support for writers and publishing, leading to a decline in cultural and literary production.
      • Printing presses, libraries, and cultural institutions were severely damaged.

    3. Security and Legal Challenges:

      • Books and publishing were impacted by security and legal challenges, affecting freedom of expression and publishing.
      • Government policies to promote the cultural sector and protect authors’ rights were absent.

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Freedom of expression

  • Obligation to declare publications

    Decree Function: To control

    Publishing an author’s work in the Syrian Arab Republic requires prior authorization from one of the following two entities: the Ministry of Information or the Syrian General Authority for Books.

    • Ministry of Information
    According to Decision No. 84 and Articles 9 and 10 of this decision, the publisher must obtain approval from the Ministry of Information before publishing or republishing any manuscript, deposit a legal copy at the Al-Assad National Library, and obtain permission for circulation from the Ministry.

    • Syrian General Authority for Books
    The author can submit three copies of their manuscript and a copy on a CD. The authority will send the manuscripts to three selected readers. If two of them approve the book, it will be published. If the book does not receive approval, the authority will not provide any information regarding the reasons for non-publication.

     

    Comments

    If permission to publish a book is not granted by the Ministry of Information or the Syrian General Book Authority, there are no clear laws or regulations outlining the procedures to be followed or the authority to which one can appeal for inquiries about the reasons for the denial of publication permission.

  • Control or regulation of content

    Law Functions: To control and to regulate

    The Syrian Penal Code contains provisions that criminalize the publication of obscene material or content that promotes racial or sexual discrimination. For example, Article 468 of the Penal Code criminalizes the publication of obscene books or publications that violate public decency.

    The Cybercrime Law No. 20 of 2022 amends the previous Law No. 17 of 2012 (Law on Regulating Electronic Communications and Combating Cybercrimes). This law includes vague definitions of cybercrimes and broad terms that can easily be interpreted in different ways, such as defamation, violating public morals, and even criticism of authorities.

    • The Media Law prohibits media outlets from publishing any content related to the armed forces unless it is official data or has received approval for publication. It also forbids publishing any information that harms “national unity,” “national security,” or “symbols of the state”; “inciting sectarian strife”; “insulting” religious beliefs; or inciting others to commit crimes, acts of violence, or terrorism.

    Comments

    No new laws have been issued regarding content regulation or control following the fall of the Syrian regime in late 2024.

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Taxes

  • Full rate of VAT

    Exemption

    There is no value-added tax (VAT) on books and materials with an educational nature.

  • Exemption or specific tax system for books

    General tax code

    If publishing houses are defined as companies according to Law No. 84 issued by the Ministry of Information, they will be subject to corporate taxes. Therefore, publishing houses must comply with regulations and laws related to companies in Syria, which include taxes on net profits according to the rates set by Syrian tax laws.

    Additionally, there are taxes on books imported from abroad (this decision was issued in 2024, after previously exempting imported books).

  • Import duties on IT equipment

    General tax code

    There is a tax, but it is not specified.

  • Taxation on paper

    General tax code

    For imported materials such as paper, ink, printing equipment, and machines, consumption taxes are imposed on some imported goods and luxury services, with rates ranging from 1.5% to 40%. However, there is no clear indication in the Syrian tax laws that directly address publishers or specify the taxes imposed on materials imported specifically for these publishers. Nevertheless, it can be inferred that publishers are treated as companies under the general corporate tax laws applied in Syria.

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Copyright law

  • Marrakesh Treaty

  • WIPO Copyright Treaty

    Law Function: Protection of literary and artistic works

    Article 8 of Decree 62/2013 regulates the economic rights of authors and their transfer through inheritance or legal transactions.

    Comments

    The law governing copyright and intellectual property rights in Syria is regulated by the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Law, issued under Legislative Decree No. 62 of 2013. This law covers a variety of literary, scientific, and artistic works, and protects both the moral and economic rights of authors and creators.

    Key points of the Copyright Law in Syria:

    • Copyright Protection: Copyright is automatically granted to all literary, scientific, and artistic works, without the need for formal procedures, regardless of the work’s value, purpose, or whether it has been presented in physical form.

    • Moral Rights: Authors are granted moral rights, including the right to determine when and how the work will be published for the first time, the right to be credited as the author, or to use a pseudonym, and the right to object to any distortion or alteration of the work.

    • Economic Rights: Authors are granted economic rights, including the right to reproduce the work by any means, the right to translate the work, and the right to distribute the work through sale or other means.

    The Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Law (Legislative Decree No. 62/2013) is part of Syria’s efforts to protect the intellectual property of creators and ensure that their work is recognized and financially rewarded.

     

  • Protection of traditional cultural expressions

    Law Function: Protection of literary and artistic works

    Article 5 of Legislative Decree No. 62/2013 protects the moral rights of the author. These rights include the right to publish the work for the first time, as well as the right to prevent any distortion or alteration of the work.

  • Regulation of the public domain

    Law Function: To regulate moral and patrimonial rights, and their duration

    Article 6 of Legislative Decree No. 62/2013 pertains to the economic or financial rights of the author, such as the rights to copy and distribute the work.

    According to Article 19 of Legislative Decree No. 62/2013, the protection of the author’s rights lasts for the lifetime of the author, plus an additional 50 years after their death.

  • Management of copyright

    Law Function: To regulate moral and patrimonial rights, and their duration

    Article 6 of Legislative Decree No. 62/2013 covers the right to translate the work, distribute it musically, or make adaptations to it.

    According to Article 6 of Legislative Decree No. 62/2013, the right to reproduce the work by any means is granted.

  • Protection of heritage rights

    Law Function: To regulate moral and patrimonial rights, and their duration

    According to Article 19 of Legislative Decree No. 62/2013, the protection of the author’s rights lasts for the lifetime of the author plus 50 years after their death.

  • Regulation of copyright and translation rights

    Law Function: To regulate moral and patrimonial rights, and their duration

    The Copyright and Related Rights Protection Law No. 62 of 2013 does not contain specific provisions for book translators.

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International standards and book identification

  • Obligations relating to book identification data (ISBN, ISSN, ISN, RPI, etc.)

    Regulation Function: To record

    The ISBN number is purchased for $1.75 for members of the Syrian Publishers Union and $3.5 for non-members.

    The Syrian Publishers Union is the responsible entity for providing the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) service in Syria.

    Comments

    Service Conditions: • The service is exclusively available to Syrian publishers and authors. • The name of the Syrian publisher or author and their address must be printed on the book. • The union must be provided with a copy of the printed book along with the ISBN used. • The attached commitment form must be signed and stamped.

    Required Documents: • A copy of the publishing license. • Ministry of Information approval for individual authors. • A copy of the ID for individual authors. • Standard numbering request form. • Signed and stamped commitment. • Full details of the book to be numbered.

    How to Apply: • The service can be requested directly from the Union’s office or via the official email address of the Union.

    This service facilitates Syrian publishers and authors in obtaining the necessary ISBN to distribute and market their books globally.

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Piracy of physical books and free book download sites

  • Opinions of professionals

    Book Piracy in Syria:

    Book piracy is a complex phenomenon in Syria, with varying cultural awareness, behaviors, and personal perceptions among individuals and institutions. Some argue that piracy reflects the public’s need for affordable access to knowledge and culture, especially given the tough economic conditions Syrians have faced and the sanctions imposed during the years of war. On the other hand, others believe piracy distorts the book industry market and diminishes both its material and immaterial value. Publishers are considered the most affected group by book piracy in Syria, as pirated books, which do not carry copyright, reduce the sales of original copies. This, in turn, impacts revenue and financial sustainability for publishers, who put great effort into producing high-quality books, from content selection and cover design to distribution. Piracy undermines the value of these efforts and distorts the book industry.

    Impact of E-Book Piracy on Book Sales:

    • The increasing spread of pirated e-books and their availability for free online poses a challenge to the rights of authors and publishers. Illegal downloading of e-books in PDF format can reduce sales of physical books.

    Impact on Quality and Experience:

    • The availability of pirated e-books can lower the value of the reading experience. Original books often come with high-quality formatting, design, and editing, whereas pirated versions may lack these factors. This could decrease readers’ willingness to purchase the original copies.

    Solutions to Overcome Book Piracy and Enhance Authors’ Rights:

    1. Awareness and Education:

      • Efforts should be directed toward educating the public about the importance of supporting original books and avoiding content piracy.

    2. Legislation and Regulations:

      • Legislation needs to be developed to protect authors’ rights and regulate the use of e-books.

    3. Collaboration with Publishers and Authors:

      • Enhanced cooperation between government entities and publishers should be fostered to raise awareness and enforce laws.

    4. Technology and Digital Protection:

      • Digital protection technologies should be used to prevent book piracy and identify violators.

    Responsibility: • The responsibility lies with the government, cultural institutions, and publishers to collaborate in protecting authors’ rights and raising awareness about the importance of original books.

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Support for public reading and book distribution

  • Opinions of professionals

    There are no funds to support libraries.

    There are no funds to support the travel of writers and/or publishers (to attend book fairs or for other commercial tasks abroad).

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