Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has strengthened its presence on the global arena through its participation at the Moscow International Book Fair and the Indonesia International Book Fair. The authority used its involvement at the literary events to extend bridges of communication and develop channels of cooperation with a large number of publishers and intellectuals from Northern Eurasia and Southeast Asia.

During its participation at the 30th edition of the Moscow International Book Fair, which attracted more than 600 publishing houses from 40 countries, SBA underlined the efforts by Sharjah and the UAE to develop the publishing sector globally. It also highlighted the emirate’s internationally-acclaimed stature as a hub for exhibitions and conferences and the outstanding services and facilities it offers publishers interested in accessing the region’s markets.

On the sidelines of its participation at the fair, the SBA delegation held a series of meetings with cultural organisation representatives and publishing sector stakeholders who are keen to connect with Arab professionals in the industry.

HE Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, met with the President of the Russian Publishers Association and with the Director of the Moscow International Book Fair, with both luminaries expressing their desire to enhance cooperation with Sharjah and to participate in the book fairs and publishing conferences organised by SBA.

Al Ameri emphasised that under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, SBA is keen to expand international participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair and Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, as well as attract publishers to Sharjah Publishing City - the first phase of which is expected to open soon. He said that the presence of Russian publishers in such projects and initiatives would expand significantly in the upcoming period.        

Al Ameri noted that a large number of Russian publishers and representatives of publishing and printing associations showed a keen interest in investing in Sharjah Publishing City and in participating at Sharjah International Book Fair. He highlighted their willingness to develop channels of cooperation with Arab publishers, particularly in the area of translation services due to the interest shown by the Russian and Arab peoples to learn more about each other’s culture.

In addition to promoting Sharjah Publishing City, SBA invited Russian publishers and intellectuals to participate at Sharjah International Book Fair and its associated events. SBA also provided them with application forms for the $300,000 Translation Grant that allows them to obtain the funds to translate to translate their publications from Russian into Arabic and to further publish and distribute their titles among Arab readers.

Meanwhile, the SBA Stand at the Indonesia International Book Fair, which was held at the Jakarta Convention Center in Senayan, Central Jakarta, attracted a great deal of interest from representatives of Indonesian and Asian publishers participating. Welcoming SBA’s presence in the event for the first time, the Indonesian publishers expressed their willingness to develop cooperation with SBA and participate in the array of literary events it organises in Sharjah.

The stand witnessed a huge turnout by Indonesian publishers who inquired about investment advantages provided by Sharjah Publishing City as well as on the details of how to participate in Sharjah International Book Fair, which will offer them an opportunity to connect with the large Indonesian community in the GCC. The Indonesian publishers also demonstrated their interest in selling copyrights to their Arab counterparts.