His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, visited the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) stand at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair, where he was welcomed by His Excellency Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the EPA.
During the visit, His Highness was introduced to the EPA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the publishing landscape both locally and regionally. HE Al Kous presented a collaborative study conducted with the TRENDS Research and Advisory Centre. The study, initiated under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the EPA, details the Association’s influence on the UAE’s publishing industry and provides key insights into the challenges and opportunities in the sector, along with strategic recommendations for growth.
HE Al Kous emphasized the Association’s dedication to bolstering the Emirati publishing community and fostering a thriving environment for the industry. He stated, “Under the visionary leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the Emirates Publishers Association remains committed to supporting the sector as a regulator and facilitator. Our goal is to fortify the unique strengths of this industry, ensuring its sustainability and contributing to the UAE’s creative economy.”
The book fair also featured a panel discussion titled “The Impact of the Emirates Publishers Association on Supporting the Cultural Publishing Movement”, led by Abdullah Al Khaja, a researcher at TRENDS. HE Rashid Al Kous and Sultan Al Ali, Deputy Head of the Trends Dubai sector and Director of the Global Barometer at TRENDS Research and Advisory Centre, discussed the study’s findings and the promising future of the UAE publishing sector driven by the EPA’s proactive role.
Complementing the fair’s events, the EPA organized a workshop led by Tamer Saeed, Director of the Sharjah International Agency for Literary Rights. The session highlighted the Agency’s crucial function in protecting authors’ and publishers’ rights in translation and publishing, managing rights sales, and fostering the Arab publishing market’s expansion. It also underscored the EPA’s contribution to spreading Arab literary content across diverse global audiences.
In anticipation of the fair, on November 5, the EPA hosted a meeting between the International Publishers Association (IPA) and the Arab Publishers Association. The meeting, attended by IPA President Karine Pansa and EPA President Abdullah Al Kaabi, focused on addressing challenges in Arab publishing and strengthening collaboration to ensure the sustainability and growth of the industry through shared expertise and initiatives.
