Onshur Celebrates Major Milestone With Graduation Of First Scale Track Cohort For UAE Publishers

The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund, known as Onshur, recently celebrated the graduation of its first cohort from the 2025 Scale Track. This event took place at the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) headquarters under the patronage of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. The programme aims to help UAE publishers grow sustainably and strategically. Twelve publishers were honoured for completing this intensive training.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi highlighted the programme's goal of empowering UAE publishers to innovate within a sustainable framework. She stated, "The Scale Track reflects our vision of enabling publishers to move beyond survival, towards a future defined by excellence, creativity, and leadership in enriching the Arab publishing landscape both locally and globally."

The event was attended by key figures such as Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association. Programme partners, experts, trainers, and media representatives also joined. The twelve graduates were chosen from 62 applicants who met strict criteria, including a history of producing quality cultural content and a strategic vision aligned with global publishing trends.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri praised the graduates' ambition and openness to new ideas. He noted that their participation in the Scale Track offers a strategic plan for expanding the regional publishing sector through innovation and sustainability. He added that this vision is inspired by Sheikha Bodour's dedication to creating a network of competitive publishers on both regional and global levels.

Rashid Al Kous congratulated the graduates for turning their ambitions into reality. He remarked, "We extend our congratulations to this exceptional cohort, who have exemplified what it means to turn vision into reality. The Scale Track has provided participants with critical skills enabling them to thrive in both local and international markets amid a rapidly evolving publishing landscape."

The graduating group included Ajyal Publishing, Ghaf Publications, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, Loaloa Publishing and Distribution, Kalman Publishing and Distribution, Nabatti Publishing, Shaheen Printing Publishing and Distribution, Dar Al-Farqad, Dar Shams Publishing, Dar Al Fikr Al Jadeed, Dar Al Bayan Al Arabi, and Noor Publishing.

Comprehensive Support for Graduates

Iman Ben Chaibah delivered a keynote speech at the ceremony. As Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA, she explained how Onshur is changing support delivery for publishers by offering a comprehensive framework for sustainable growth. "The Scale Track has surpassed the boundaries of traditional training," she said. "It has established a professional platform dedicated to enhancing publishers’ operational capabilities and deepening their industry expertise."

Following Sheikha Bodour's directives, graduates receive extensive post-programme support. This includes one year of professional accounting services for compliance purposes. They also get guidance in applying for the Sharjah International Translation Grant and access to Ingram’s global distribution network.

Additional benefits include business loans secured against publishing contracts and specialised advisory sessions. Graduates also receive priority access to upcoming Onshur initiatives. These measures aim to transition publishers from operational stability to strategic growth.

Sheikha Bodour expressed pride in this cohort's capacity for learning and growth. She believes they are now equipped with tools needed for resilient business models: "I am proud of this cohort who have shown a remarkable capacity for learning... They are equally poised to shape its global future fuelled by ambition."

With inputs from WAM