It’s time to establish database for Arab publishing world

“To implement the Vision 2021 regarding the promotion of reading, this can only be achieved through the development of the industry and environment. We need to invest in publishing in the Arab region.”
This was the opening remark of His Excellency Abdulla Abdul Rahman Al Shaibani, speaking at the inaugural Dubai International Publishing Conference on Sunday.
Taking place on the sidelines of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Al Shaibani said he “praises and supports” the idea of establishing a unified database for Arab publishing houses and books.
“The provision of a database would be in the interest of everyone, from writer, to publisher, to reader. Data needs to be available to everyone,” he said.
But the production of publishing cannot be prospered without “transparency”.
“There is a real need to collaborate now. We especially need to build the relationship between writer and publisher.”
By establishing an international serial number as a reference for the database, Al Shaibani said it will help track sales and trends with regards to Arabic reading.
And that, in turn, will create the transparency needed to push the industry forward. But to implement this editorial database successfully and bring it to fruition, the country and region need to talk about “design and technology”. 
The commencement of Sunday’s inaugural two-day conference comes at a crucial time. Despite the UAE’s leadership putting the spotlight on developing an avid reading culture here of late, there are still gaps that need to be filled urgently.
The introduction of this conference will act as a platform to support the culture of reading in the emirates, and it falls perfectly in line with the Month of Reading.
Speaking about the need to promote Arab literature among the youth in particular, Al Shaibani said to pave the way to adulthood, children need to read.
“We need to raise the Arabic market by having Arabic production in electronic publications. I know that the approval is there and readership is there, now it’s time to build on it.”
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of The Emirates Literature Foundation, the two-day Dubai International Publishing Conference will conclude today. Kelly@khaeejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai

Kelly Clarke

kelly@khaleejtimes.com