Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation wraps up participation at Cairo International Book Fair

The acknowledgement by the Arab intellectuals was conveyed to officials of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation at the 40th Cairo International Book Fair, the Arab world's largest exhibition, held from 23 January and 4 February.The fair hosted a total of 743 publishers from 28 countries with the UAE being t he guest of honour this year..

H.E. Abdul Rahman Al Owais, UAE Minister for Culture, Youth and Community Development, hosted his Egyptian counterpart H.E. Farouq Hosni at the Foundation's booth and briefed him on its vision, mission and programmes.

Yasser Harib, the Foundation's Vice President for Culture received the dignitaries and explained the foundation's efforts towards developing and nurturing the region's intellectual capital. The ministers were also briefed on landmark initiatives, including 'Oktob', an author's grant programme to promote gifted writers. The programme forms part of the culture component of the Foundation's initiatives.

Harib said: "The Foundation's strategy includes building a strong regional network of key partners and stakeholders to unify efforts towards developing the Arab cultural landscape. Participation at major cultural events constitutes an integral component of our agenda for 2008 along with a series of strategic cultural activities at regional and international forums. It enables us to interact with the communities that share the Arab culture and identify new avenues of mutual cooperation.

"Our participation at the Cairo Book Fair was an excellent opportunity to meet leading intellects from Egypt and different parts of the Arab world. The meetings were very useful as we explored challenges facing Arab culture and means of turning these challenges into opportunities."

Among other prominent delegations that visited the Foundation's booth at the fair was the London Book Fair that included several leading publishers from the UK. Visitors had an opportunity to learn in detail the knowledge initiatives announced by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.