Sharjah Book Fair participates in 21st edition of New Delhi World Book Fair 2013

The SIBF participation in this fair is in line with its strategy to enhance the strong presence of the UAE culture and book industry on the regional and international arenas, especially in the wake of the resounding success attained by the 2012 Sharjah Book Fair.

The SIBF delegation, led by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Director of SIBF, includes Salim Omar Salim, Head of Sales and Marketing at SIBF.

The New Delhi Book Fair was opened by Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The fair will become an annual event after 41 years of its inception as a bi-annual book fair.

The one-week event was inaugurated in the presence of Karan Singh, president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), and the French ambassador, Francois Richier, who were guests of honour.

The SIBF stand received the attention of the Indian and Pakistan media. It showcases many books and various publications by the Sharjah Book Fair and other UAE cultural agencies. The SIBF dedicated some books authored by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to officials from the Indian Book Fair.

The SIBF stand highlighted its vast experience in organizing the Sharjah Book Fair and the major support, facilities and services offered to publishers, as well as its efforts to enhance the role of culture and intellectuals in the country and entire region.

Many officials, intellectuals and men of letter visited the SIBF stand, among which is the UAE Ambassador to India, who lauded the major role and efforts exerted by the SIBF to promote the UAE culture, especially after the Sharjah Book Fair was internationally recognized for its good organization, achievements and the facilities provided to publishers, authors and intellectuals.

Speaking on this occasion, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Director of SIBF, said, "The New Delhi Book Fair offers a precious opportunity as it is attended by countries that have vast experience and enjoys high reputation in the publishing industry. Another thing is India's celebration of culture and intellectuals as well as its keenness on enhancing its cultural status on the international arena, represented in its participation in the 31st Sharjah Book Fair-which grew to 500% over the past years—all these factors make it an Asian leader in the field of the written word and culture."

Al Ameri added, "Our participation comes in line with our strategy to showcase our immense experience and highlight the role of the emirate of Sharjah- most notably the role of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in supporting authors, publishers and readers."

He said, "We would also strive through our strong participation to attract other publishing houses and strengthen our ties with exhibitors and participants in our Book Fair."

"The New Delhi Book Fair offers us an ideal platform to meet other participants and exchange our views about book-related issues in order to boost the regional role of Sharjah in culture and authorship," Al Ameri noted.

He referred to the fruitful talks with Korean and Indian publishers, expressing his hope for further rapprochement and cooperation in the future. The Sharjah Book Fair 2012 saw an unprecedented participation of 62 countries, including 24 countries that participated for the first time.

The participating countries included 22 Arab countries and 942 publishers, almost double the number of participating countries in the 30th Book Fair, which was held in 2011. The 2012 book fair saw the participation of 20 Pakistani publishers for the first time as well as an increase in the number of Indian publishing houses.