Sharjah 24: Continuing on its mission to introduce international publishers to the booming business and investment opportunities in Sharjah and the UAE, as well as its world-class services for the global publishing community, Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) has held a series of networking meetings with publishers participating at the ongoing 59th edition of Bologna Children's Book Fair (BCBF).

The book fair runs until March 24 and is celebrating Sharjah as its Guest of Honour.

Through several official engagements, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) subsidiary seeks to attract European and international investments into the emirate by showcasing to them the world-class services and operating facilities at SPC Free Zone.

Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone, met with Elkograph Printing, Mandadori Publishing, Singing Grass Publishing Services, Foo Entertainment Company, and other publishers,to discuss SPC Free Zone’s and Sharjah’s vision to advance the publishing industry, especially the children's literature sector. The officials explored partnership opportunities.

He said: “International cultural platforms like the Bologna Children’s Book Fair offer the publishing sector a key opportunity to explore future prospects and collaboration opportunities. We have utilised our participation to showcase budding opportunities in the UAE and the region as well as highlighted ways in which global businesses interested in our region use SPC Free Zone as a gateway for expansion, owing to Sharjah’s strategic location connection the East and West and its international reputation as a publishing hub”.

The focus is on Sharjah this year as the emirate is being celebrated as the Guest of Honour, and we have leveraged this global attention to communicate our strategies and plans for the future with the Italian publishing community while exploring our opportunities here in Italy, which enjoys a prominent cultural status and is home to renowned authors and literary figures. Sharjah is the ideal bridge to connect the Italian cultural and literary scene with readers in our region. SPC Free Zone with its world-class services and infrastructure, will be a key catalyst for strengthening the Italian literature’s presence outside Europe,” he added.