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The newly established board of directors for the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) held its inaugural meeting during the 42nd edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2023. At the meeting, they discussed a roadmap to enhance the authority’s initiatives and partnerships in promoting the development of the publishing ecosystem, both within the UAE and internationally.
Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA, welcomed the board members and expressed gratitude for the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, which led to the establishment of the SBA. The SBA aims to enhance investment in creative industries, facilitate knowledge exchange among different nations and cultures, and promote a knowledge-based society.
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Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi invited the board members to utilize their expertise and networks to guide SBA in becoming a leading global organization in the book industry.
International board members in attendance included John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group; Youngsuk ‘YS’ Chi, Chairman of Elsevier; Markus Dohle, Executive Vice President of the PEN America Board of Trustees; and Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO India and South East Asia and Member Global Executive Committee, Penguin Random House.
Local members included HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA; Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates Airlines Divisional Senior Vice-President (DSVP) for International Affairs; HE Abdulaziz Taryam, CEO, Advisor, and General Manager of (Etisalat e&) Northern Emirates; HE Abdulla Al Owais, Chair of the Department of Culture; HE Abdulaziz Al Musallam, Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage; Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA); Marwa Al Aqroubi, Executive Director of the House of Wisdom and President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY).
HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, SBA CEO, presented a detailed overview of SBA’s nine-year journey, highlighting its impact on Sharjah’s cultural contributions and its role in promoting a love for reading. He also emphasized the economic impact of SBA’s projects on the local economy and national GDP.
The meeting concluded with a strategy workshop, roadmap discussion, and a tour of the SBA facility.
The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is a key player in the UAE’s cultural scene, overseeing a significant portion of Sharjah’s book-publishing programs. SBA manages around 15 cultural projects, from specialized conferences to book fairs, reading festivals, and various awards that support writers, publishers, illustrators, and more. SBA’s initiatives create a bridge between Sharjah and major publishing hubs worldwide, contributing to the publishing ecosystem’s cultural and economic development.
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