Sultan hosts banquet dinner in honour of Emirates Publishers Association in Frankfurt

Frankfurt, Oct 11, 2012 (WA) H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council member and ruler of Sharjah hosted on Tuesday evening the banquet dinner in honour of the delegation of Emirates Publishers Association in Frankfurt. The event was attended by H. H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shorouq) and Chairperson of Emirates Publishers Association. Sheikh Sultan exchanged views during the banquet with the delegation members on the issues of publishing and publishers, and the obstacles they face. He stressed the importance of encouraging the publishing in the UAE to play its role in provision of books to the UAE libraries in particular and the Arab libraries in general. The Ruler of Sharjah commended the efforts of the Association, indicating that "the spread of culture is not an easy task as challenges require perseverance." He pledged his support to the publishers. On her part, Sheikha Bodour thanked Sheikh Sultan on the behalf of Association for his concerted support. During the banquet, the selection of Habib Al Sayegh as the Cultural Personality of year 2012 for the 31st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SHIBF) was announced. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, Head of the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah, Dr Amr Abdul Hamid, Adviser to Sharjah Ruler for the Higher Education and Scientific Research Affairs, Ahmed bin Rakad Al Ameri, Director of SHIBF and other senior officials were also present. – Emirates News Agency, WAM