Booming book business in Abu Dhabi
Building on KITAB's joint aims to professionalise the region's publishing industry and provide new opportunities to access books and reading, last month's 20th Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) saw the successful launch of two exciting new initiatives that take Abu Dhabi further down the road toward establishing itself as the region's publishing hub.
On the first day of ADIBF, KITAB and its partner the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) announced the launch of a private company, Abu Dhabi Distribution (ADD), which will tackle the current lack of a reliable book distribution network in the region. During the first phase of operations the company will seek to develop a comprehensive database of Arabic books both in and out of print. Experts estimate that once complete the database could record anywhere between 150,000 and 200,000 titles. Over time, ADD will function as an intermediary between Arab publishers and regional distributors, covering the GCC countries, the Maghreb and the Levant in addition to Arab communities outside the region. ADD is currently in talks with publishing houses across the region and aims to make the first deliveries of books by January 2011.
The launch event for ADD offered a preview of the second major initiative to come out of ADIBF, the Abu Dhabi Literature and Publishers Club. The Club, inspired by the centuries-old tradition of the intellectual reading salon, is the brainchild of KITAB General Manager Monika Krauss and forms part of KITAB's long-term plans to inspire a love of books across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. As a new social and professional space, the Club will offer year-round activities including hosting visiting authors for readings, panel discussions, training opportunities and exhibitions relating to books and publishing. The search is currently underway for board members who will be appointed over the coming months.
Watch the official website at www.adbookfair.com/cms/ for more information about these exciting new developments!
Event:
ADIBF 2011
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair
