Jeddah International Book Fair and the Egyptian Publishers Association (EPA) have arrived at an amicable solution to their recent dispute, which erupted over EPA participation fees at the fair.
The dispute arose after the fair’s administration set a fee of $450 per square metre for publishing houses specialising in the production of educational games and learning tools – a figure that is $250 more than the participation fees for publishing houses that specialise in producing books. This discrepancy drew significant opposition from the EPA.
The two sides have now agreed on a unified participation fee for all publishers, irrespective of whether they are involved in publishing print and electronic books or educational applications and learning aids. Under the agreement, the participation fee has now been set at $200 per square metre for all members of the EPA. The publishers of books and the publishers and distributors of educational materials will exhibit their products in the same exhibition hall.