Nasher, the first digital platform dedicated to serving publishing industry professionals in the Arab world, will celebrate its first anniversary with a debut appearance at the 36th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2017), due for inauguration this Wednesday (1 November).

Nasher (www.nasher-news.com) is dedicated to all matters relating to the publishing industry around the world, and relays current developments, market trends, big announcements research and studies, and emerging opportunities. It aims to be a prolific platform for publishers, book industry experts, university professors, editors, publicists, literary agents, and readers from around the globe who like to stay abreast about the latest in publishing, and exchange ideas with each other.

Nasher is an online reservoir of several interesting and topical articles and research pieces that are contributed by experts from the region, and features numerous interviews with authors, and other literary personalities.

The establishment of Nasher last year led to the creation of a unique space, which for the first time is allowing regional publishers and book enthusiasts to share opinions and views that will enrich the publishing industry as a whole.

With its web content available in both Arabic and English, Nasher is the perfect online platform that posts views, research various topics, get one’s hands on to studies and surveys about this vital industry, in addition to latest publishing industry news and information about new releases. Nasher seeks to be a bridge linking Arab and Western publishers, and assist with its literature the forging of meaning and informed connections, which will help them serve readers worldwide.

Mohammed Al Attar, General Coordinator of Nasher, said: “We are excited about our first participation at SIBF. This follows our debut appearance at the Gutenberg and Frankfurt book fairs this year. Nasher is still quite new, and our presence at the world’s third largest book fair will serve as a soft launch into the UAE and the region. We look forward to leveraging our presence to introduce ourselves to the millions of visitors who come to the fair.”

He added: “We aim to become the primary source of information, support and guidance for Arab publishers, so as to enable them to connect and develop their ties with their counterparts from all across the world.”

Al Attar stressed that the Nasher stand at SIBF 2017 aims to provide a platform for publishers and writers to network as well as to enhance communication between Nasher and publishers in the UAE and greater Arab world. During its debut at the fair, Nasher will highlight issues of importance to publishers and promote awareness about publishing affairs, while giving attendees the opportunity to use the Nasher platform to publish their news and as well as information about their recent publications.

“Being the largest book fair in the Middle East and the third largest in the world, SIBF brings together some of the global industry’s most important and influential players, with many of them looking for new partners and new relationships. Nasher has the ability to act as a central point of contact and provide data on latest industry trends, issues, challenges and opportunities – all of which will come together to present a clearer and more comprehensive overview of the regional sector” Al Attar concluded.

The News section on the Nasher website aims to develop and encourage excellence in the Arab publishing sector through the best Arab and international practices in dealing with challenges and exploring book industry-related opportunities, including translations, marketing and distribution. It also seeks to introduce the most important events and activities that help publishers widen the prospects of their industry, such as book fairs, conferences, workshops, and awards, among others.