Abu Dhabi International Book Fair looks forward to continued growth in 2008

Registration for the 2008 Fair is now open and bookings from international publishers are already showing a marked increase on 2007.

Collective stands from France and Germany will be on show for the first time in Abu Dhabi and Fair Director, Jumaa al-Qubaisi, reports much interest from other European countries including the UK, Spain and Greece.

Publishers from India and China have also confirmed their first-ever presence in Abu Dhabi. The major publisher, Scholastic, has confirmed that it will return to the Fair and negotiations are currently underway for them to take part in the professional programme.
Innovations for the 2008 Fair include:

-first day (Tuesday 11 March) exclusively reserved for trade visitors which will feature an extensive professional programme for exhibitors and visitors, covering.

-the book market in the Arab World, lead by well known publishers from the region.

-matchmaking for western and Middle and Far East publishers

-seminars and exchanges on selling and buying rights

-a special programme for librarians

-seminars on book distribution in the Arab world

-one-day international conference on translation funding policies and funding programmes worldwide, including summaries of what is available and what publishers actually need

-extension of the very successful Discussion Forum, covering topical issues around cultural and religious tolerance, free speech and women's rights, where publishers are also encouraged to organise their own events

-an even more comprehensive bilingual Fair catalogue, both in print and online

The Abu Dhabi Business Lounge, launched at last year's Fair, will be open throughout the Fair and will operate alongside a programme offering trade visitors information about translation funding across the world, the IPA, training, trade organisations, and other Book Fairs.

The 2007 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, in partnership for the first time with the Frankfurt Book Fair, saw record numbers of exhibitors and visitors. Over 420,000 visitors over the eight days of the Fair were able to see 600,000 titles on display from 406 publishers from 46 countries.

One of the highlights of the 2007 Fair was the success of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's children's initiative. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi committed 3 million Dirhams ($800,000; £400,000; euros 560,000) so that local children could buy books with a discount. Thousands poured through the doors of the Book Fair and the organisers are currently exploring at ways of building on this promotion but also expanding the very popular Children's Corner for 2008.

Jumaa al-Qubaisi, Director of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, comments: "We were overwhelmed by the success of the 2007 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and are delighted that we are already building on that record-breaking year. I am very much looking forward to meeting both our existing and new customers at Frankfurt this week."