Gulf Today, Staff Reporter
As part of its continued efforts to promote cultural awareness among young people, the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has signed a partnership with Invest bank to develop a children’s storybook focused on financial literacy. The initiative is a collaboration with the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur), a key SBA programme that supports sustainable publishing in the UAE.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the 16th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival by Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives at SBA, and Humaida Al Khalsan, Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing at Invest bank, in the presence of Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and Edris Al Rafi, CEO of Invest bank.
Through this partnership, Invest bank will sponsor the production of a storybook for children aged eight and above, introducing key financial concepts in a simple and engaging way. The book will be launched at the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair, in collaboration with a UAE-based publisher who graduated from the Onshur programme.
Commenting on the partnership, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: “This partnership reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to bolster the role of books in human development and to cultivate content that fosters awareness from an early age.
The authority remains committed to developing initiatives that embed books into the fabric of children’s daily lives. By providing young readers with the tools to ignite their curiosity, expand their imagination, and deepen their understanding, we shape a future generation that is informed, inspired and imaginative.
Through this collaboration, we offer an enriching reading experience that speaks to the realities of children’s lives while seamlessly blending fun with meaning, and language with creativity."
Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri added: “We believe that human development begins in childhood, and that financial literacy is an essential part of that foundation, no less important than reading or general knowledge.
This partnership reflects SBA’s commitment to realising the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to empower future generations through books and knowledge. Our collaboration with Invest bank aims to offer a creative model that combines culture and economic awareness in a format that resonates with both children and the wider community.”
On his part, Edris Al Rafi, CEO of Invest bank, said: “We are proud to partner with SBA on an initiative that introduces children to the fundamentals of financial literacy in an innovative and engaging way. Equipping young people with financial skills from an early age is not a luxury, but a necessity for building a more informed and sustainable society.
At Invest bank, we believe that real investment begins with the child, and that combining financial knowledge with creativity and imagination lays the foundation for a generation capable of making smart, responsible financial decisions.”
Onshur, established under the directives of Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, is a flagship initiative that reflects Sharjah’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy and supporting the growth of emerging publishers.
Launched by SBA in collaboration with the Emirates Publishers Association and the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, the fund is designed to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the publishing sector. It offers three development tracks — Launch, Scale, and Disrupt — tailored to support publishers at different stages of their professional journey.