The Arab publishing Association hails Sharjah’s ruler announcement of exempting publishers from the annual book fair fees

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Heads of the Arab publishing associations sent a message of gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, in which they valued his efforts in supporting the cultural movement and the publishing industry. They affirm that by generously exempting all the publishers participating in the 39th Sharjah International Book Fair from the pavilions rental fees, His Highness has saved the Arab Publishing industry and has underscored that book industry should be protected and encouraged.

Arab Publishers Association

Muhammad Rashad, head of the Arab Publishers Association said: “We value the generous initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, which embodies His keenness to take the demands of the Arab publishers into consideration and reflects his understanding of the reality of the publishing industry and the need to support it during such difficult phase which the whole world is going through due to the COVID-19 epidemic”.

He added: “We are not surprised by the stances and initiatives of His Highness. He has always been a great supporter for publishers. He has much supported the association fund and has born the expenses of the publishers’ participation in international exhibitions.

Emirates Publishers Association

Ali Bin Hatim, head of the Emirates Publishers Association, affirmed that the generosity of His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, presents an international model for the concern given to the publishing sector and its employees. It is an unprecedented princely gesture that makes all the visions and missions adopted by the emirate in the leadership of its cultural projects come true. This initiative puts great responsibilities on the publishers with regards to the book market, and enhances their commitments towards the Arab and international library. Indeed, they should provide quality works that serve the present and future of their countries.

He added: “Sharjah’s efforts and initiatives during the current exceptional phase the world is going through due to the COVID-19 pandemic carry many implications not only for publishers, but for all those who work in the Arab and international cultural production sector. Never did the initiatives targeting the book industry stop, whether in terms of financial support, grants, or the incentives provided by the emirate’s cultural entities.”

Egyptian Publishers Association

Saeed Abdu Mustafa, President of the Egyptian Publishers Association said: “We extend our sincere gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, for this generous initiative, which reflects the constant support he provides to the Arab publishers to proceed with their work. We do appreciate the great efforts made to launch the current edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, which is the first book event to be held at the Arab and international levels during the pandemic.

He added, “In line with the generosity of His Highness, we are pleased to announce that the exhibition visitors will be granted up to 50%discounts on the participating Egyptian publishers’ works. We hope that Sharjah, under its ruler, will remain the beacon of knowledge and culture.”

Syrian Publishers Union

Haitham Muwaffaq Al-Hafez, President of the Syrian Publishers Union said: “The efforts of His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, have always served the Arab culture. Today, they are underscored with such exceptional conditions the whole world is undergoing due to the pandemic. This indeed gives momentum to the book industry, which is regarded as the cornerstone of the cultural movement.”

Sudanese Publishers Association

Nour Al-Hoda Muhammad, Secretary General of the Sudanese Publishers Association, expressed his sincere thanks to the administration of the 39^th Sharjah International Book Fair for organizing the event. He much applauded the initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah with regards to exempting publishers from rental fees.

Tunisian Publishers Union

Monther Sassi, spokesperson for the Tunisian Publishers Union said: “We, Tunisian publishers, are used to such generosity of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. On behalf of the Tunisian Publishers Union, we value this blessed step that drives publishers to proceed with their work during such hard times. It is also a call to all Arab and international countries to stand by the publishers and support them. ”

It is noteworthy that His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed that all publishing houses participating in the 39th Sharjah International Book Fair, which is organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, shall be exempted from the pavilion rental fees. Exemptions amounted to 6 Millions AED. This came one day after His Highness resolved to exempt the Lebanese publishing houses as well from the rental fees.