The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) stands as a landmark initiative within the UAE’s ongoing efforts to empower the publishing sector and strengthen its presence both locally and internationally. In its latest milestone, the fund recently celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of participants in the 2025 “Growth Track”, a dynamic program designed to elevate the capabilities of publishing houses operating in the country and to accompany them on their path toward sustainable expansion and greater competitiveness in a constantly evolving market.
The graduation of 12 publishing houses out of 62 applicants reflects the program’s highly competitive nature. Participants were selected based on rigorous criteria that assessed the quality of their cultural content, the clarity of their expansion plans, and their ability to adopt well-structured strategies aligned with the latest industry developments. This selective approach brought together a diverse group of Emirati publishers under an intensive training program that combined strategic vision with practical expertise.
Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, in partnership with the Emirates Publishers Association and Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, the program provided specialized training across several key areas, including modern business models, digital marketing, data analytics, copyright management, and interactive workshops led by international publishing experts. This comprehensive curriculum equipped participants with practical tools to strengthen the agility of their businesses and build more innovative and sustainable operational models.
What distinguishes the “Onshur” initiative is not only the training itself, but also the comprehensive post-graduation support package offered to participants. Graduates receive one year of accounting services, access to the Sharjah International Book Fair Translation Grant, enrollment in Ingram’s global distribution platform, as well as contract-based financing solutions, specialized consultancy sessions, and priority access to future fund programs. This integrated support structure provides publishers with a practical bridge to move from operational stability to strategic expansion.
The initiative embodies the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and is overseen by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, to build a competitive Arab publishing ecosystem on the global stage. Sheikha Bodour emphasized that the Growth Track is designed not merely to secure publishers’ survival, but to encourage them to embrace innovation, excellence, and entrepreneurship, enriching the Arab publishing sector and enhancing its global footprint.
The project simultaneously supports the personal growth of publishers while shaping the future landscape of the Arab publishing industry. As Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, noted, the program establishes a roadmap for expansion based on innovation and sustainability. Meanwhile, Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, highlighted how the graduates successfully transformed ambition into actionable achievements.
Through such pioneering initiatives, Sharjah continues to solidify its position as a regional and global hub for the book industry, offering a practical model of how visionary cultural policies can foster a sustainable publishing sector capable of keeping pace with digital transformations and global markets, while simultaneously preserving the richness of Arab cultural identity as a unique contribution to the international cultural landscape.
