Keeping a consistent effort to work with potential new partners and exchange industry knowledge and expertise, Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) concluded its robust participation at the 70thedition of the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany. This year’s event contributed to greater insights, discussions of projects and initiatives that will develop the publishing industry further in the UAE.
EPA hosted an independent pavilion where key figures from diplomats to publishing industry experts such as HE Ali Abdullah Al Ahmed, UAE Ambassador to Germany visited. HE Al Ahmed was briefed on EPA’s plans and programs to support and boost publishing industry locally, regionally and globally. In a matchmaking session with publishing houses, thirteen book deals between Emirati publishing houses and Latin American’s publishers were nearly finalised, aimed at encouraging translation of Latin books into Arabic and Arabic books into their respective languages. EPA representatives met with Thomas Goldenitz, VP of International Sales in New Era Publishing International to discuss methods of collaboration with them as well as other organisations in the UAE.
Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA remarked: “EPA’s participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is the worlds’ largest trade fair for books, is significant. We fostered alliances that will attract investment into the UAE’s publishing industry. The participation is how we realize our goal in developing bilateral relations between Emirati’s publishers and international publishers. EPA has consistently stressed on sharing expertise and develop the economy of publishing locally, regionally, and globally.”
EPA had a fruitful meeting with London Book Fair management team, where they discussed EPA’s participation in the next editions and cooperated to enable Emirati Publishers to get improved deals. EPA also had the opportunity to learn more about the three Emirati publishing houses which are sponsored by National Media Council, namely, Ali Shaali, founder and Director of Dar Al Hudhud publishing house; Mohamed Bin Dakheen, Director of Dar Al Takhayul publishing house; and Ali Bin Hatem, founder and director of Dar Al Thakafa publishing house.
On the international spectrum, EPA marked its attendance in the ASEAN Publishing Forum where a session about the Kuala Lumpur World Book Capital 2020 was held. The engaging session had a UNESCO speaker where future education, resources, and reading initiatives were discussed as well as discussion about the previous world book capitals 2017, Conakry; 2018, Athena; and 2019, Sharjah.
The EPA delegates met with Jorge Gutierrez, commercial director of Buenos Aires International Book Fair, to discuss future participations and pave a path for Emirati publishers to enter the Argentinean Book Market. Among the acclaimed, EPA also met with Nobi Chatzigeorgiou, coordinator of Thessaloniki Book Fair to discuss their upcoming participation.
EPA’s participation in the Frankfurt Book Fair has enabled publishers to explore the future of the industry. Such events bear witness to the focus on advancing the role of local publishers and strengthen capacities to participate in the global forum.
Founded in 2009, EPA is dedicated to serving and developing the local publishing sector as well as to advancing the role of Emirati Publishers through training and mentoring programmes that help raise their efficiency. EPA represents the interests of professionals in the UAE’s publishing industry by working on advancing their rights and improving the conditions of the profession and its related laws in coordination and cooperation with competent authorities in the UAE and beyond.