Sharjah To Welcome Global Publishing Leaders At 3rd Booksellers Conference

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has officially announced the dates for the third edition of the International Booksellers Conference. Scheduled for April 27-28, this event, a first of its kind globally, is set to gather booksellers, distributors, and publishers from across the region and beyond. The conference aims to provide a unique platform for discussing key industry issues, fostering partnerships, exploring new business opportunities, and exchanging insights. Set to be held at the Expo Centre Sharjah, this initiative underscores SBA's commitment to bolstering the publishing industry.

Aligned with the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, the conference boasts an agenda filled with keynote speeches, roundtables, and workshops led by industry experts and leaders. It will address challenges within the book market, leverage advancements in digital technology, and examine the latest trends and strategies to propel the sector forward. Additionally, the event will focus on enhancing coordination and information exchange among entities within the book industry ecosystem, in line with SBA's mission to develop a comprehensive regional and global ecosystem that supports the sector.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, highlighted that the conference reflects the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to reinforce the emirate's position as a global cultural hub and a pivotal centre for book-related events. Al Ameri emphasized SBA's dedication to strengthening the publishing sector and supporting book distributors, especially within the Arab world. This effort is part of Sharjah's broader commitment to promoting Arab culture on a global stage.

The CEO encouraged professionals from the sector to take advantage of the significant opportunities offered by the conference. The inaugural edition of the Sharjah Booksellers Conference took place in 2022 at Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone. It attracted over 200 distributors, publishers, and booksellers from within the country and the region. Over two days, it featured a comprehensive range of events focused on all aspects of book sales and distribution, engaging with the public and readers, and understanding their interests and expectations.

With inputs from WAM