As part of its ongoing efforts to work with potential new partners and exchange industry knowledge and expertise, the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) has met with leading representatives from the International Publishers Association (IPA) at its welcoming reception during the 69 th edition of the Frankfurt International Book Fair in Germany.

Led by Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and President of EPA, the reception, which took place at EPA’s very first independent pavilion at the fair, aimed to strengthen ties with leading international publishers and discuss ways of enhancing cooperation and collaboration.

During the event, EPA representatives highlighted the significant role played by the UAE in supporting the publishing and book industry, as well as the association’s commitment to enhance the sector locally, regionally and globally. In return, EPA delegates gained valuable insights into the experience of a number of top international publishers and discussed the projects and initiatives that can be implemented to develop careers and support the development of publishing professionals.

HE Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA, underlined the importance of participating in the Frankfurt International Book Fair – the world's largest trade fair for books, based both on the number of publishing companies and the number of visitors. He noted that hosting IPA representatives comes as part of EPA’s outreach strategy to share expertise and best practices as well as develop bilateral relations to increase its contribution to the publishing sector and reinforce its importance to the economy.

“We discussed many ways to attract investment into the UAE’s publishing industry, particularly with regard to the nation’s strategic location and the array of cultural festivals, exhibitions, fairs and other events it organises to encourage reading and establish libraries. We presented key competitive advantages offered by the UAE to foreign businesses, including publishing houses and distribution companies,” Al Kous said.

The reception was attended by HE Ahmed Al Ameri; Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, and Mohamed Al Shehhi, Director of Research & Publication at Abu Dhabi Tourism &Culture Authority. 

The reception was also attended by several senior EPA representatives including: Vice President, Ali Al Shaali; Treasurer, Mohammed bin Dakhin; Secretary, Ali Bin Hatem, and Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director, as well as a number of authors, local and international publishers.

The EPA pavilion received a large number of official figures, Arab diplomats and representatives of cultural institutions and publishers’ associations. Among those who visited the pavilion is HE Ali Abdullah Al Ahmad, Ambassador of the UAE to Germany, and Michael Kolman; President of the IPA, who praised EPA’s efforts to develop the publishing industry and support publishers. They lauded EPA’s first presence at the Frankfurt Book Fair, which will strengthen its partnerships and collaboration with its counterparts and enable it to highlight the distinguished stature of the UAE’s publishing industry in international events.

The EPA pavilion also distributed guides which included the 10 most recent publications by each of its members in order to attract international publishing houses and discuss the possibility of translation rights and entering into partnerships with Emirati publishers.

The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) was founded in 2009 with the aim of developing the publishing sector in the UAE and advancing the role of publishers through mentorship and training programmes that help increase their efficiency. EPA represents professionals in the UAE’s publishing industry and improves the conditions and rules related to their career in collaboration with publishing bodies in the country and beyond.