The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has successfully concluded its participation in the Riyadh International Book Fair 2024 and the Amman International Book Fair 2024, as part of its strategic mission to foster cultural and intellectual exchange with the Arab world and beyond
The Authority showcased an impressive array of publications, headlined by the works of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
Additionally, SBA highlighted its year-round initiatives, such as the Sharjah International Book Fair, Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, Sharjah Publishers Conference, and Sharjah International Library Conference, all of which are integral to advancing the publishing sector across the region.
The participation also featured a series of high-level meetings with Saudi, Jordanian, and international publishers and prominent literary agents from across the globe, focusing on exploring avenues for deeper collaboration in publishing and the creative industries.
As
part of participating at the Riyadh International Book Fair, the authority held discussions with the fair’s organisers to coordinate the Saudi debut of the Big Bad Wolf Sale, the world’s largest discounted book fair, at the Jeddah International Book Fair, and the Eastern Province in Dammam in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra).
Reaffirming its commitment to elevating the publishing industry in the Arab world, SBA presented Saudi publishers with the ‘Lightning Source Sharjah’, the world’s first large-scale print-on-demand operations to the Middle East and North Africa hosted at the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone and developed through a strategic partnership with Ingram Content Group.
Through this initiative, publishers in the Arab region and globally gain access to over 40,000 retail outlets, libraries, and academic institutions worldwide, significantly expanding their distribution networks and opening up new commercial opportunities on a global scale.
Commenting on the
participation, Fadel Hussein Bussaim, Director of SBA in Sharjah’s Eastern Region, emphasised that SBA’s presence at regional and international events is central to its mission of promoting cultural cooperation and dialogue with leading institutions and publishers worldwide.
He said, ‘Our participation at these book fairs underscores Sharjah’s role as a cultural bridge, facilitating meaningful exchanges that enrich the global publishing industry. By engaging with key stakeholders, we seek to unlock new opportunities for writers and publishers, leveraging modern technologies to overcome industry challenges and drive growth.’
He continued, ‘The SBA is dedicated to launching forward-thinking initiatives that not only address the challenges faced by authors and publishers in the Arab world but also elevate the standards of literary and cultural production. Through innovation and creativity, we aim to create a fertile environment for developing the creative industries, positioning Sharjah as a leading force in t
he global cultural landscape.’
Source: Emirates News Agency