Sharjah Book Authority Represents Arab Culture at BookExpo America

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) successfully highlighted the diverse investment opportunities in the publishing sector in Sharjah at BookExpo America that recently concluded in New York. The SBA also showcased the incentives and facilities available in Sharjah and the UAE to American and Canadian publishers and other entities in the sector.

The authority - the only Arab representative in the North American event – revealed Sharjah’s yearlong calendar of cultural events which provides a window for building cultural and investment relationships between publishers from around the world, and a platform for acquiring publishing, translation and distribution rights.

During the cultural event, SBA held several meetings with American and international publishers to highlight the services and offerings of Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ), which operates under a vision to eliminate all challenges faced by the publishing sector and provide services including editing and translation as part of a comprehensive bouquet of services for all entities working in the sector.

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said: “The SBA is on a continuous mission to strengthen the presence of Sharjah at various international cultural exhibitions and conferences. It reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which focuses on the development of individuals through acquiring knowledge, in addition to nurturing cultural exchange with civilisations around the world.”

BookExpo America provides a focused professional environment to discover emerging authors and engage with the world’s most influential publishers and learn from industry leaders. It is the US’s largest annual book fair that brings together authors, booksellers, librarians and book retailers.

Established in December 2014, SBA is dedicated to encouraging investment in the creative industries and offers a platform for knowledge and intellectual exchange between people from different civilisations and cultures. The SBA aims to highlight the significant role of writers and their influence in promoting community awareness in view of the technological advancements and diversity of knowledge sources.

It also seeks to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general, and the publishing, printing, translation, documentation and children’s book sectors in particular.