MBR Knowledge Foundation to participate in Beijing book fair

DUBAI: The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation will take part in the Beijing International Book Fair, 2018 – the 25th edition of the event that runs from August 22-26 at the China International Exhibition Centre.

During its participation in the exhibition, the largest book fair in China and one of the most important publishing events in Asia, the Foundation will showcase its pioneering initiatives to build a knowledge society in the UAE and highlight its projects and strategic partnership designed to promote cultural exchange among communities worldwide.

Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, said: “The Beijing Book Fair is one of the most important cultural and knowledge events in the world and our participation in the event is in line with the Foundation’s efforts to spread knowledge throughout the world. Our involvement at China’s largest publishing event reflects our keenness to promote global cultural exchange and build strategic partnerships that serve our goals in building a diverse knowledge society that meets the aspirations of all nationalities in Dubai and the UAE.

“The exhibition is the ideal platform for publishing stakeholders in Asia – and from around the world - to review the initiatives and achievements of the Foundation.

“The forthcoming edition of the fair will enable them to witness our pioneering and innovative projects that use modern technology to promote knowledge dissemination and cultural exchange, which can facilitate their access to Arabic society,” he added.

Among the initiatives displayed by the Foundation at the exhibition, which each year attracts thousands of writers, booksellers and publishing industry stakeholders from around the globe, will be the Dubai Digital Library, one of the world’s largest digital archives for Arabic content. The library comprises Arabic and foreign books, magazines, dictionaries, translations and biographies, and images and maps. Amongst its content are publications issued by Dubai International Writing Programme and Qindeel Printing and Publishing, such as ‘Book in Minutes’ and the magazines ‘Wamadat’ and ‘Flashes.’

The Foundation’s agenda at this year’s edition of the fair includes meetings aimed at building cooperation and partnerships with Chinese publishing houses, such as Shandong Technology House, Shandong Literature and Arts House, Shandong People’s House, the Culture and Research Development House, China Publishing Group, China Printing Group, the Chinese Digital Book Company, the Translation and Editorial House of the CPC Central Committee, Chemical Industry House and Architectural Industry House. Foundation representatives will also hold meetings with several new publishing houses and the exhibition management to determine the Foundation’s involvement at next year’s event.

Other significant highlights on the agenda of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation at the 25th edition Beijing International Book Fair include the signing ceremony to translate and publish books with Dar Al Ghad and the launch of the Chinese edition of the ‘48-hours in Dubai’ book.

Launched in 1986, the Beijing International Book Fair is a major global platform that brings together publishing and knowledge industry professionals from around the world. It is anticipated that around 2,500 exhibitors from 93 countries will attend the forthcoming edition, which will showcase an estimated 300,000 new publications.