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Sharjah International Book Fair participates in New Delhi Book Fair

The Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) is participating in the 21st edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair, India’s largest book event, being held from 15-23 February, which was inaugurated by the Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.

Spreading over 54,000 metres, the New Delhi World Book Fair, is witnessing the participation of 1070 exhibitors from India and abroad, alongside special stands by international organisations, such as the World health Organisation, UNESCO, and the World Bank.

The SIBF delegation, headed by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Director of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), includes Salim Omar Salim, Head of Sales and Marketing at SIBF, and Mohan Kumar, External Affairs Executive at SIBF.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Al Ameri, Director of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), said, “Our participation comes in line with the directives of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to interact with the cultures of the world and to develop ties of friendship binding the UAE with other countries across the globe.

The SIBF participation also aims to promote Sharjah’s position as a cultural hub, as we celebrate the selection of Sharjah as the Capital of Islamic Culture this year, as well as to highlight our cultural identity and vision within the global cultural system.”

He added, “As India is one of the largest trade partners of the UAE, we strive to develop this partnership to include culture. To achieve this goal, we participated last month in the Jaipur Literature Festival, which took place in the capital of India’s State of Rajasthan from 17-21 January 2014. We made the best use of this opportunity in networking with leading Indian publishers and publishing houses to invite them to participate in the upcoming edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which will be held from 5-15 November 2014, especially as the UAE is home to a large Indian community, the members of whom look forward to buy books in various dialects and languages of their home country.”

Al Ameri remarked that through its participation in New Delhi, SIBF looks forward to networking with publishers in order to familiarise them with the Sharjah Government-supported Translation Grant Fund, launched by SIBF to encourage the translation of books from and into Arabic to enrich the Arab and global culture with new books in knowledge and science, that promote networking, religious understanding, and cross-cultural education.

He further stated that the participation of dozens of publishers interested in Arabic and Islamic culture and the translation grant will contribute to achieving greater understanding between different cultures through the huge turnout of Indian and foreign publishers who will apply for the grant applications.

The SIBF delegation met with Dr Sikandar, Chairman of the Indian National Books Union, and discussed the most important issues related to book events and the publishing industry. The delegation also met with the Chairman of the CAPEXEL Organisation, which is dedicated to boosting commercial support and facilitating services for 16 main sectors, including the printing and publishing sector. SIBF delegates acquainted themselves with the best standards and practices adopted by the Organisation in order to develop India’s publishing sector.

CAPEXEL Organisation consists of 4000 members who are interested in these sectors, including a large number of paper product manufacturing and supply companies.

The New Delhi Book Fair’s Management selected Poland as guest of honour to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Poland. A series of cultural and art events have been organised as part of the programme designated for the Guest of Honour country throughout the days of the fair.

On the sidelines of the Book Fair, a number of cultural seminars and workshops for publishers and professionals, in addition to the “Author Corner”, which allows writers to interact with visitors and readers, share their experiences and expertise, and talk about the circumstances that accompanied by their books, are also taking place.