SHARJAH. 1st May 2023 (WAM). – Under Rashid Al Kous’s leadership, the Emirates Publishers Association held its inaugural meeting for the 2023-2025 election cycle. The meeting was to distribute administrative tasks among board members, and induct newly appointed members.

The council discussed how important it is to sponsor the publishing industry of the UAE. It also reaffirmed the association’s commitment in this regard and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between Emirati Publishers in accordance with their shared interests. The council stressed the importance of providing integrated services for the publishing industry to help consolidate the UAE as a global and regional publishing hub.

Al Kous praised Sheikha Boudour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi for her role in reviving the publishing industry and strengthening the UAE’s position both in the Arab World and internationally. He welcomed the new members, and wished success to them in realizing the vision and strategic goals of the association for developing the UAE publishing sector as a powerful engine for economic and social development both locally and internationally.

Al-Kous also expressed the appreciation of the association to the Ministry of Community Development, for its continued cooperation and participation at the recent General Assembly meeting which saw the election of new Board members.

Abdullah Al Kaabi is the new EPA Chairman and he has called on all members to fulfill the aspirations of the association. He stated, “We are dedicated to the development and advancement in the UAE publishing sector by strengthening the cooperation between local publishing houses in line with their common interests, while providing a variety of integrated services, communication, training and innovative strategies in support of the UAE publishing industry. We are steadfastly reliant on H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi is a leading author and Supreme Council member, and the Ruler of Sharjah. He has consistently prioritized publishing and Emirati Publishers as a national priority.”

Amira Boukadra, from Ghaf Publications For Book Trading, was appointed Vice-Chairman by the EPA Board for the upcoming cycle of two years. EPA members Abdullah Al Sharhan and Muhammad bin Dukhin, both from Dar Al-Takhayal Media, were chosen to be the secretariats for the EPA Fund. Fatima al-Khatib, from Dar Sidra Publishing Services, was also named as a member of the board.