EPA, EWU join efforts to promote flourishing publishing sector

SHARJAH: The Emirates Publishers Association and the Emirates Writers Union signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate communication and knowledge exchange among publishers and writers, ultimately advancing copyright and publishing efforts in the UAE.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Abdullah Al Kaabi, President of the Emirates Publishers Association Board, and His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Amimi, Chairman of the Emirates Writers Union, on the sidelines of both parties’ participation in the ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair, which will continue until November 12.

Through this agreement, the two parties aim to exchange expertise, experiences, information, and ideas to enrich the knowledge sector, enhance their cooperation, and bolster the UAE publishing industry while also supporting the role of publishers and elevating their global competitiveness.

Both parties will work together to enhance consultation, share information, and extend invitations for cultural events relevant to their interests. They will also commit to collaborating on initiatives that would empower participation in local, Arab, or international cultural events significant to publishers, writers, and authors. Furthermore, the agreement seeks to streamline communication channels between the two parties and their respective members.

Per the memorandum, the EPA will actively explore opportunities to promote and distribute the works of its members on the Menassah distribution platform towards developing their commercial endeavours and ensuring greater achievements and broader outreach.

Following the signing of the memorandum, His Excellency Abdullah Al Kaabi expressed his profound satisfaction in establishing a productive collaboration and harmonising roles with the Emirates Writers Union. He underscored the significance of joint endeavours, believing they will bear fruit by reinforcing Emirati publishers’ role in propelling the publishing sector in the Arab region. Additionally, he noted that this collaboration would contribute to the cultural and scientific advancement of the UAE, in line with both parties’ strategic visions and objectives.

He praised the Emirates Writers Union for its pivotal role in nurturing this cultural movement and fostering intellectual and cognitive development within the nation. He also emphasised that the memorandum marks a new phase, consolidating all aspects of authorship, writing, and publishing in the UAE under one umbrella towards enhancing the legislative and regulatory framework within the UAE’s publishing industry. This will incentivise investment in this domain, providing robust support to members from both sides engaged in the field and ultimately facilitating their international competitiveness while disseminating the nation’s culture globally.

On his part, His Excellency Dr. Sultan Al Amimi expressed his deep appreciation for the pivotal role played by the Emirates Publishers Association in nurturing the development of the UAE’s publishing sector and elevating the stature of publishers, along with the dissemination of their publications across international cultural platforms. He underlined that the MoU comes in line with the Emirates Writers Union’s commitment to coordinating efforts and aligning positions with professional associations and cultural unions operating within the country, especially in matters pertaining to national and domestic concerns.

He expressed his optimism that the collaborative endeavours between the two parties would yield positive results in supporting the Emirate Writers Union’s mission to enhance writers’ and authors’ cultural and technical capabilities. This includes publishing the works of its members in books and periodicals, promoting the translation of outstanding works into international languages, and revitalising the cultural landscape at the local and Arab levels. He also emphasised the Union’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Emirates Publishers Association to effectively achieve the goals outlined in the MoU.