EPA assembly elects new board

The ordinary General Assembly of the Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) has elected a new board for its 2019–21 tenure. The association’s presidency has been awarded to Ali Bin Hatem, Director of Dar Thaqafa for Publishing and Distribution, and the Director of Sail Publishing, Iman Ben Chaibah has stepped in as Vice President.  

The meeting was held on Saturday (April 27), on the sidelines of EPA’s participation at the 29th edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF 2019), which concludes on April 30.

Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Vice President of the International Publishers Association (IPA), who presided over the general assembly meeting, said to the meeting’s attendees: “

Our meeting this year is not an ordinary one. As we meet today to elect a new board and discuss topics pertinent to local publishers, Sharjah and the UAE are also celebrating  the inauguration of the emirate as the Unesco World Book Capital 2019.  It is a title we truly cherish – a prestigious fruit we are reaping from the years of hard work we sowed. This title is a culmination of your efforts, as publishers, and as direct contributors to the development of the book industry in our country.”

Sheikha Bodour highlighted the milestones achieved by EPA, thanks to the efforts and collaboration of member publishers, have materialised as specialised services like the information and services centre - One Stop Shop, the Manassah Platform, the exemption of ISBN fees for publishers in the UAE, among several others, which are all effectively contributing to the growth of the local publishing industry.  

“Today, we have highly-qualified publishers, empowered with international experience and leading business expertise, who are competently leading the UAE’s publishing industry. The local industry is strong enough to lead and support new players, as well as EPA’s future efforts.

“I hope that you strongly support your newly elected board, and together, advance EPA objectives to furnish more and more industry players with the support and innovation they need to consolidate their operations and succeed their businesses,” Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi further added.  

This general assembly meeting was held in the presence of Ministry of Community Development representatives, and a number of Emirati publishers.