"Sharjah Book Authority" In Malaysia, strategic partnerships in the publishing sector are being discussed
Kuala Lumpur, 15 May / WAM / A delegation from the Sharjah Book Authority concluded a visit to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, with the aim of expanding its network of international partnerships in the publishing and book industry sectors, exploring global models and international best practices in bringing books closer to the public, and benefiting from these experiences in strengthening Sharjah’s position as an international center for the publishing and book industry and dialogue between cultures.
The visit focused on strengthening cooperation with the Authority’s strategic partner, “Big Bad Wolf”, and the “Book Access” system, the parent company, and learning about the publishing and retail book selling system in Malaysia, and learning about the working mechanisms in the Malaysian book market, which include the supply of books, purchase models, and pricing.
The visit explored the Malaysian experience in developing the role of libraries as cultural and tourism destinations capable of attracting readers, families, content creators, and those interested in creative industries.
During the visit, the Authority’s delegation discussed potential cooperation opportunities and investment, operation, and management models that ensure the success of libraries.
The Authority’s participation in the exhibition comes within the framework of the Sharjah Cultural Project, which is based on investing in knowledge and advancing the components of creative industries, in accordance with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and the directives of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, to expand the Authority’s international partnerships and explore successful global models in the publishing industry in a way that supports Sharjah’s position as a global center for books and culture.
The visit of the Sharjah Book Authority delegation, which included Majid Al Nuaimi, Director of the Partnerships and Investment Department, and Iman Bin Shaibah, Director of the Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets Department, included a meeting with Adiba Omar, CEO of the Kota Buku platform, who won third place in the Publish Here Awards for Excellence and which was previously included in the programs of the Sharjah Book Authority.
The two sides discussed opportunities for joint cooperation and aspects of compatibility between Sharjah’s vision in supporting the book industry and Kota Buku’s agenda in developing the knowledge and digital infrastructure of the publishing sector.
The two parties discussed launching cross-market literary and cultural initiatives that benefit from Sharjah’s international presence and the experience of Malaysian institutions in building platforms that connect readers, publishers, distributors and authors, in addition to potential cooperation paths in knowledge exchange programs, developing the capabilities of workers in the book sector, and enhancing the access of Arabic content to new Asian markets.
During the visit, the Authority’s delegation was briefed on a number of Malaysian models in transforming libraries into interactive cultural and community destinations, most notably “Rex KL” and “My Town” within the “Book Access” system.
The delegation learned about innovative concepts in the book retail sector, consolidating the position of libraries as tourist destinations, and explored operational and strategic visions about business models, investment in successful library projects, book supply mechanisms, purchasing policies, and pricing methods for discounted books, in addition to the possibility of developing the concept of discounted book fairs and expanding it in different markets.
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