The most effective ways of improving the publishing and book industry in the UAE was the theme of a Ramadan gathering held on Thursday night.

Organised by Emirates Publishers Association, EPA, and attended by its president, Shaikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the event saw local publishers invited to discuss the EPA vision, which is aimed at promoting the country as a regional and international publishing hub.

Among those attending the gathering, which was held at Sharjah Golf and Shooting club, were Rashid Mohammad Al Kous, executive director of the EPA; Ali Al Shaali, vice-president of the EPA; Mohammad Bin Dukhain, EPA Treasurer; Ali Bin Hatem, EPA secretary; Nooh Al Hammadi, EPA board member and representatives of publishing houses in the UAE.

Al Kous announced that as per the directives of Shaikha Bodour, the EPA board will work on formulating a common vision that will qualify the industry to play a pivotal role in the UAE’s cultural, social and economic development, as well as fulfil the members’ expectations while maintaining their copyright protection.

In addition to announcing plans and designing executive programmes that empower the EPA to strengthen ties with its members, he revealed the launch of an ‘Ideas Box’ to receive suggestions proposed by EPA members.

The attendees were unanimous in their agreement of the importance of providing an appealing environment that is organised by a set of rules and regulations to guarantee rights, as well as the need to work in harmony as a team to support publishers, who play a leading role in providing Arab readers with creative content across an array of fields.