News DeskSharjah: The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), in collaboration with the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), has launched the Publishers Exchange Programme a first-of-its-kind initiative in the region aimed at strengthening global collaboration within the publishing industry.
Announced on the sidelines of the 15th edition of the International Publishers Conference, organised by the SBA ahead of the Sharjah International Book Fair 2025, the new programme seeks to foster professional partnerships between Emirati publishers and their international counterparts while enhancing the UAE’s presence on the global publishing map.
The initiative will enable Emirati publishers to access international fellowship programmes, participate in global cultural events, and engage in professional training and workshops. It also establishes a reciprocal framework through which the EPA will offer opportunities for foreign publishers to take part in Sharjah’s International Publishers Conference.
Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, said the initiative reflects the EPA’s continued efforts, under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and Honorary President of the Association, to build a sustainable and innovative future for the UAE’s publishing industry.
“This programme is founded on three main pillars rights exchange, professional empowerment, and global presence,” Al Kous explained. “It aims to promote the translation and circulation of Emirati literature and to create new opportunities for the sale and purchase of book rights between Emirati and international publishers through specialised professional platforms.”
He added that the programme will support local publishers in developing competitive international careers through participation in fellowship schemes, particularly across key markets in East Asia, South America, and Europe. The initiative will follow a phased implementation plan, expanding annually to include more publishers and professional collaborations.
Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publishing Services at the Sharjah Book Authority, said the programme represents “a strategic step towards building long-term professional bridges linking Emirati publishers with their peers around the world.”
“It opens broader avenues for rights exchange and joint publishing, embodying Sharjah’s vision of empowering the local publishing sector to engage directly with global markets,” Al Hassani noted. “Through this partnership with the EPA, we are providing a practical platform for professional growth that will enhance Sharjah’s standing as a central hub in the global publishing movement.”
The Publishers Exchange Programme is expected to boost the sale and purchase of translation and publishing rights, paving the way for Emirati publishers to gain international recognition. Participants will be selected based on merit and expertise, ensuring that the initiative supports exceptional national talent while advancing the UAE’s position as a global leader in the publishing industry.
