Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi Leads SBA Board in Pushing Digital Transformation to Boost Sharjah’s Global Literary Role

Sharjah: Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), recently led the authority’s third board meeting at the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2024). The meeting focused on key initiatives for boosting SBA’s global presence, strengthening partnerships for Emirati publishers, and progressing the authority’s latest projects.

During the session, Sheikha Bodour acknowledged the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, whose commitment to cultural diplomacy supports SBA’s goals of global cultural exchange. She highlighted the recent launch of the Arab Cultural Institute in Milan, a new project aimed at connecting Arab culture with the world. Plans are underway to establish similar centers in other major cities, to promote cross-cultural understanding and collaboration.

Sheikha Bodour emphasized SBA’s focus on digital transformation as a critical tool for widening the impact of SIBF and SBA’s broader initiatives. “Digital innovation is essential for expanding our reach and amplifying SBA’s influence globally,” she stated, stressing the importance of technology in SBA’s vision.

The board reviewed SBA’s recent achievements, such as the Booksellers Conference, Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival, Sharjah Animation Conference, and the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition. These events have strengthened Sharjah’s standing in the literary world and attracted significant international attention.

Looking forward, the SBA board discussed expanding the appeal of the SIBF Awards for a global audience and launching a specialized publishing program to support the skill development of Emirati publishers. These initiatives aim to cement Sharjah’s status as a major cultural hub and support the growth of the next generation of Emirati publishers.