Sheikha Bodour launches Dhs1m fund to empower UAE publishers amid virus fallout

Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, founder and president of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA), has announced the launch of the ‘Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund’ to back publishers across the country, who were severely impacted by the pandemic. 

The Dhs1m fund, achieved by EPA in partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and Sharjah Publishing City (SPC), will aim to reach affected publishers by identifying the challenges faced by the industry and will boost efforts to ensure the continuity of their businesses.

EPA will communicate with Emirati bookmakers, and will also guide them on ways to avail of the provisions included in the fund.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said: “The global publishing industry is among the vital economic sectors that has slowed down considerably due to the pandemic. With every crisis, comes an opportunity, and we need to rope in appropriate mechanisms to boost industry resilience and emerge out of it stronger. Today, we stand with our publishers to support and lead them onward to fulfilling vital projects that will boost our knowledge and creativity.”

“It is with the unfolding of a crisis that cooperation and teamwork gain more value than ever. The publishing sector and the cultural community in the UAE have strongly upheld this approach as we navigate current uncertainties and work towards securing our future. The ‘Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund’ is a fresh step in the direction, reflecting a more collaborative approach in promoting the written word. Safeguarding publishers and promoting the local knowledge industry is the need of the hour as the pandemic has proven beyond doubt the efficacy of the book as the most sustainable tool for spreading awareness, promoting values of peace and coexistence, and encouraging cultural dialogue.”

All guidelines and conditions relating to provisions of the fund and how to avail of it will be announced later.