Sharjah Publishing City to connect Indian publishers to investment opportunities in UAE, region … reports Asian Lite News.
The Sharjah Publishing City, SPC, the world’s first publishing and printing free zone, will be participating in the 48th edition of the New Delhi World Book Fair NDWBF, slated from 5th to 13th January, 2019.
The NDWBF is India’s oldest book fair after the Kolkata Book Fair and has honoured the Emirate of Sharjah to be their guest of honour.
The SPC, a subsidiary of Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, will be hosting a series of networking meetings with Indian publishers, publishing experts and the business community from the subcontinent. These meetings are planned to attract Indian investments into the emirate of Sharjah, by offering them a world-class base and operating facilities at the SPC Free Zone.
Sharjah’s business-friendly environment, strategic location and several business advantages such as the first dual trading licence that SPC has launched recently, which allow businesses based in the SPC Free Zone to also operate on the UAE mainland, are all expected to strengthen collaborations and boost the presence of Indian publishers in the UAE and Gulf.
Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC said, “The UAE and India have enjoyed a great friendship since historical times, which is reflected in growing bilateral trade, and political and cultural relations even before the formation of the UAE in 1971. While the economic aspect of India–UAE relations are of great importance to both parties, the intercultural exchange between us has gained unrivalled significance, especially in recent years.”
“India is one of the fastest growing book markets, internationally. It is the world’s sixth largest book publishing country, and the third largest in the production of English language books, after the United Kingdom and the United States. Each year, more than 80,000 titles in 24 of India’s local languages are published by 160,000 publishers. Through our participation at the NDWBF, we look forward to showcasing leading investment opportunities in the UAE and the region, which can be leveraged by publishers in India and the subcontinent through the SPC,” he added.
Since its inception in 2017, the SPC has been keen to participate in international book fairs to introduce publishers from around the world to its attractive environment and highlight its efforts aimed at enhancing investment and ensuring the prosperity of the publishing and printing sectors in the UAE and the world.
