It was during the second world war that the book trade in Mumbai (then Bombay) got a big boost. A number of new booksellers and publishers came up and soon there was felt a need to organize them into a trade association, to solve their common problems. With independence and the subsequent growth of education, commerce and industry under the Five Year Plans the growth was maintained and it was not long before the Indian Book trade established itself and started competing with the British and later American publishers on equal terms.

The purposes of BBPA are to promote cooperation and mutual interest among booksellers and to foster and advance their trade and commerce by:

• → Encouraging the exchange of ideas and information.
• → Educating booksellers in techniques essential to the effective conduct of their business.
• → Holding trade shows and exhibitions.
• → Promoting ethical and fair dealing in the trade.
• → Protecting the First Amendment rights of free speech.
• → Promoting the cause of literacy.
• →Increasing public awareness of the value of the bookseller as a vital community resource.
• → Seeking to promote excellence and professionalism in the retail book industry.

Vision

• →To promote and protect the interest of members viz. Authors, Booksellers, Book Wholesellers and Book Publishers engaged in the business of book publishing and marketing
• →To conduct Book Festival every year in Bombay and also co-operate and support associations in other towns.
• →To create, foster and develop the spirit of mutual help, fellowship and best of understanding among the members.
• →To improve the knowledge of members by organizing seminar on Book marketing, book publishing, book promotion and self-improvement.