SHARJAH: HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) received three official delegations representing the countries of Mexico, Canada, and Japan at the Expo Centre Sharjah on Tuesday at the ongoing edition of SIBF.
The delegates visited the exhibitor halls that host 1,024 publishers from 73 countries, and also their country pavilions which are part of the 11-day event. They also experienced SIBF’s successful hybrid online-offline events model, developed to provide the public with a safe cultural environment amid the restrictions imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
During the meeting with HE Francisca Elizabeth Méndez Escobar, Ambassador of Mexico to the UAE, Al Ameri highlighted the various strategies designed and implemented by SBA for SIBF 2020, to ensure the continuity of cultural appreciation within the UAE community. They also looked into ways for organizing more joint Emirati–Mexican cultural events in the future, and strengthening cooperation in areas of publishing and knowledge production.
HE Jean-Philippe Linteau, Consul General of Canada, met with the Canadian publishers who have participated in SIBF 2020. HE Al Ameri introduced him to the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPCFZ) – the world’s first free zone dedicated to encouraging cultural entrepreneurship, supporting businesses in publishing, printing, and allied fields that seek to expand into the Middle East.
HE Al Ameri also met with a Japanese delegation led by Hideki Yabumoto, Vice Consul of Japan in the UAE, educating them about SBA’s key annual international fairs and cultural events including SIBF and the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF).
The SBA Chairman noted that the international interest in SIBF generates is the successful cultural vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, which emphasizes open dialogue and close relations with countries and cultures.
