Sharjah Publishing City (SPC) – world’s first publishing and printing free zone – has showcased to publishers from around the world the unique opportunities for investment and regional expansion it offers, at the 48th edition of The London Book Fair (LBF) 12-14 March 2019, followed by their participation at the 39th Salon du Livre de Paris at Porte de Versailles (Paris Book Fair), from 15-18 March, 2019.

LBF is a global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels.

Right after, SPC took its exhibition to the Paris Book Fair, to engage Parisians and the larger European and international communities with the UAE’s and Sharjah’s cultural efforts and latest highlights. The Paris International Book Fair is another important European exhibition that witnesses continuous growth in publishing and translation activities.

SPC, a subsidiary of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), hosted various meetings with global publishers at the LBF and PBF. Some of these publishers included international names like Baker & Taylor, Macmillan Education, Haynes Publishing to name a few. These networking platforms were geared towards business expansion, helping foreign publishers understand the UAE book publishing market and attracting investments to the region that also offers state-of-the-art facilities.

SPC was showcased as a relevant location to register foreign companies, as Sharjah has become the cultural capital of the world after winning the title of UNESCO World Book Capital. This Free zone has become the most sought-after destination for book publishers, book traders, authors, freelancers across the globe. Due to the immense networking possibilities that it provides besides its unique geographic location, supportive authorities, international and regional connectivity with excellent sea, land and air transport links, SPCFZ is the perfect place to set up business.

Salim Omar Salim, DirectorSPCFZ said: “Our participation in London and Paris highlights the strong cultural bonds the UAE and these two leading European cities share. This year’s participation included various activities, which reflected Sharjah’s position as a cultural hub as well as the diversity of the UAE cultural scene.

“The SBA pavilion, which the SPC networking space was part of, showcased the richness of Emirati and Arab literature to the two book fairs’ visitors, displayed the works of some of the most accomplished authors and publishers representing our local and regional book industry. Sharjah’s participation at these important international events were key opportunities for us to showcase the lucrative investment opportunities within the UAE and the region, which can be leveraged by publishers worldwide through the SPC free zone to establish and grow their regional presence.