Sharjah:The 16th Sharjah International Publishers Conference is enhancing global connections in the publishing industry through its innovative formats, including scheduled Matchmaking meetings and the newly introduced Global Exchange programme. These initiatives aim to support direct business connections and thematic discussions on industry challenges.
According to Sharjah 24, the conference's Matchmaking programme facilitates one-on-one meetings that focus on business development, rights trading, and potential partnerships. This format allows publishers, literary agents, and other industry professionals to engage directly with potential partners from various markets, discuss catalogues and rights opportunities, and explore future cooperation.
The Global Exchange programme provides themed discussions and has been particularly beneficial for first-time participants. In a session for UK publishers, Rebecca Hart from the British Council highlighted the opportunity for attendees to gain insights into the regional publishing landscape and establish relationships. The programme also includes sessions on comics and graphic novels, where participants from diverse countries address shared challenges and opportunities in the industry.
The conference continues with sessions bringing together Arab publishers and the British Council, as well as meetings between African and Asian delegations. The event, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, concludes on November 3, featuring 1,433 publishers from 126 countries, and sets the stage for the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair.