EPA meets with IPA representatives at Sharjah International Book Fair

During the meeting, discussions focused on the current status of the publishing sector in the Arab world, particularly in the UAE, and the EPA's endeavours, activities and initiatives to uplift publication levels, promote reading, and encourage the demand for Arabic publications, were highlighted.

Speaking of the reasons behind the meeting, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the EPA, said:

"The UAE's publishing sector encompasses numerous good publishing houses that supply excellent quality publications to the market. However, although we have many useful and valuable initiatives in this field, all of them require more attention in terms of development and the introduction of new and modern aspects to help improve performance. We have already benefited from the expertise of international publishing houses, and recently had the honour of becoming an IPA member."

Mr Herman P. Spruijt, IPA President said, "It is very important that Arab publishers are able to cope with the constantly changing international publishing industry. We take great pleasure in having EPA as a new IPA member. This is a natural consequence of the EPA's efforts during the last few months, and their plans and objectives for the near future, which will transform the UAE's publishing sector into a vibrant and flourishing industry."

The Emirates Publishers Association was established at Al Qasba, Sharjah, on 25 February 2009 as a public institution dedicated to developing the UAE's publishing industry. The Association represents UAE publishers in international and regional platforms, by taking part in exhibitions, book fairs and publishing forums held in the UAE and abroad, as well as contributing to the publication of local intellectual products on both the Arab and international levels.

EPA also works to promote the publishing profession within the UAE by providing publishers with qualifying, training and refresher courses, catering for the needs of publishing sector staff, and improving regulation and legislation affecting the profession. EPA's efforts in support of the local publishing industry include the establishment of a limited distribution company for its affiliate publishers.

The Association also works together with local institutions in the fields of publishing, printing and distribution, and its scope includes overseeing translation from and into Arabic, in addition to the protection of intellectual property and related rights.

The EPA works closely with the National Media Council and other publishing institutions in the UAE and internationally, and is looking forward joining forces with the Electronic Publishers Association as well as publishers of children's books and scientific and educational literature.