release "Publisher Exchange Program" To enhance the UAE’s presence on the global publishing map
Sharjah, November 10 / WAM / The Emirates Publishers Association, in cooperation with the Sharjah Book Authority, revealed the “Publisher Exchange Programme”, the first of its kind in the region, which aims to explore opportunities for exchanging experiences and building professional partnerships between Emirati publishers and their international counterparts, and linking major local exhibitions with international fellowship programmes, thus contributing to opening new horizons for the sustainability of the Emirati publishing industry and consolidating its presence on the international publishing map.
The program was launched on the sidelines of the fifteenth edition of the International Publishers Conference, which was organized by the Sharjah Book Authority over three days with the participation of an elite group of the most prominent publishing industry leaders in conjunction with the activities of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025.
The program seeks to address the challenges facing the Emirati publisher in terms of enrollment in international fellowship programs and expanding its presence in international cultural forums by providing exclusive opportunities for training and participation in workshops and exchange programs, as well as building strategic partnerships with international publishing bodies. The association will cooperate with publishers’ associations in a number of countries around the world to secure opportunities for Emirati publishers to participate in international fellowship programs, book fairs, and related events. In return, the association will guarantee the allocation of seats for publishers from those countries to participate in the International Publishers’ Conference in cooperation with the Authority. Sharjah Book.
His Excellency Rashid Al-Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, confirmed that this initiative falls within the framework of the association’s ongoing efforts led by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the founder and honorary president of the association, which aims to enable a developed and sustainable future for the Emirati publishing sector, enrich Arab cultural content, and strengthen bridges of cooperation with international actors in the sector, leading to strengthening the position of the United Arab Emirates as a regional and global center for the publishing industry.
He explained that the program is based on three main pillars: exchange of rights, professional empowerment, and global presence. It aims to support the Emirati literature translation movement by developing opportunities for buying and selling book and translation rights between Emirati and international publishers through dedicated professional platforms and programmes, in addition to enabling local publishers to build competitive international professional paths by participating in professional fellowship programs in cooperation with the Sharjah Book Authority, which opens new horizons for development and growth for them.
He pointed out that the program will be implemented within a well-thought-out time plan targeting major continents and publishing markets such as East Asia, South America, and Europe, with continuous evaluation of the experience and gradual expansion to include more publishers and professional initiatives annually.
For his part, Mansour Al Hassani, Director of the Publishing Services Department at the Sharjah Book Authority, said: The Publisher Exchange Program constitutes a strategic step towards building long-term professional bridges linking Emirati publishers with their counterparts around the world and opening up broader horizons for them to exchange rights and expand the base of translation and joint publishing. The program embodies Sharjah’s vision of enabling the local publishing sector to communicate directly with global markets and actively participate in shaping the future of the book industry through knowledge and cultural exchange.
He added that the Sharjah Book Authority believes that the development of the publishing industry can only be achieved through cooperation and exchange of experiences. This is why the program came in partnership with the Emirates Publishers Association to be a practical platform that gives publishers real opportunities for development and professional growth. We are confident that the program will bring about a qualitative shift in the presence of the Emirati publisher on the international scene and strengthen Sharjah’s position as a pivotal center in the global publishing movement.
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