The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) confirmed that out of 40 applicants, 19 publishing houses have been selected by their AED1 million Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund. They also noted that reports regarding progress have been shared on utilization of their AED356,551 allotment to help revive businesses impacted by Covid-19 pandemic. During the EPA’s 7^th board member meeting the association also shared that remaining applications of 21 publishers are under process currently. EPA launched its AED1 million Emirates Publishers Emergency Fund in June to support EPA members’ businesses that were impacted during pandemic.

The board meeting was attended by senior EPA officials including Ali Bin Hatem, President; Iman Ben Chaibah, Vice President; Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director; Mohammed Bin Dakheen, Treasurer; Dr. Alyazia Khalifais, Board Member and Secretary; Abdullah Al Kaabi, Board Member, and other EPA members.

The discussed key issues included realities of current publishing, strategies to help overcome the crisis, and the development agenda to maintain the sector and its value chains. Participants also discussed copyright infringement issues and its impact on the book industry across the Emirate.

During the meeting EPA confirmed that it will be participating in the 39th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) with the Manassah platform. The platform was launched last year to allow EPA members showcase their work at regional and international book fairs and cultural events.

Ali Bin Hatem, President of the EPA, said that the fund confirms EPA’s commitment of supporting publishers in reviving their businesses which are impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak. He said, “EPA’s launch of the Emergency Fund in supporting Emirati publishers. Today, EPA is providing the beneficiaries with ample capital to achieve its twin objectives of extending support to publishers and revitalising the publishing industry.”

WAM