CEO of Dubai International Children's Book Fair participates in Kuwait International Book Fair

The Foundation revealed that several International and Arab publishers have expressed major interest to pursue new business possibilities at the Dubai International Children's Book Fair 2010, driven by the strong potential of emerging niche markets and the support of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, in promoting the development of children's literature.

Dubai International Children's Book Fair, scheduled to be held from 3-10 February 2010 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is a unique platform that caters to the development of children's literature in the Arab World, while offering a convenient business-to-business networking avenue for regional and international publishers to pursue gainful business prospects in children's publishing.

Several specialized initiatives and activities have been integrated into the Book Fair to facilitate business-to-business activities, including the Reader Development Conference, which will focus on sharing best International practices in promoting reading, the International Rights Centre, which will serve as the trading hub; a Creativity Centre, which will feature educational and entertainment programmes for the children and their families and the Children's Bookshop, an ideal set-up for a children's bookstore and the only selling venue at the Fair.

Jamal Al Shehhi, CEO of the Dubai International Children's Book Fair, said:

"Dubai International Children's Book Fair brings a fresh dimension to the Arab World's publishing industry by creating a dedicated, specialised platform that caters specifically to children's literature. Our presence at the Kuwait International Book Fair generated an energetic response from international publishers, particularly on account of the value-added support facilities offered. Moreover, the publishers collectively agree that Dubai International Children's Book Fair will help spark a surge in interest in children's literature as the event provides a convenient, centralised and highly accessible venue for teachers, parents, librarians, reader development experts, children's literature scholars and publishers to interact and explore new ideas and concepts in developing innovative reading materials for children."

As part of a series of promotional road shows, Dubai International Children's Book Fair team has participated in several regional and international book fairs, including the Frankfurt Book Fair, Bologna Children's Book Fair and Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. These road shows were held for the purpose of building strong partnerships with major International literary organisations.