Why are textbooks so expensive in Chile?

Why are textbooks so expensive in Chile?  

"IVA" is not the only thing that hurts the prices of the books. Also influences the lack of machinery, ink or paper, as well as the little habit of reading. And there is also a cultural problem, where a person's minimum wage can spend up to 200 thousand pesos in to buy a new cell phone, but never a book. As well as also a bottle of alcohol is cheaper than a book.  

Studies show that do not increase the readers in Chile, in a study of the Unesco in 2012, Chile appears as one of the countries where less is buying books, with 35%, although on Colombia (32%) and Peru (23%). In comparison, in Spain is 57% and 56% Argentina.  

To reduce the prices of the books not only should eliminate IVA, but many more taxes. However, that would not be enough, the best thing we can do is to encourage further reading. I think that it should be a powerful campaign that involves all to promote reading, in schools and in the home. Reading is a means of learning and provides access to knowledge, but also of hobby and entertainment. 

Paula Vicencio

IIºA