ISLAMABAD, Sep 25 (APP):The fifth edition of the Sharjah Book Sellers Conference, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, was inaugurated by Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi at Expo Centre Sharjah. The two-day conference brought together 912 booksellers, publishers, distributors and representatives of e-commerce platforms from 99 countries to discuss bookselling, distribution, digital promotion, artificial intelligence and innovative ways of reaching readers. Pakistan’s book …
5th edition of Sharjah Book Sellers Conference brings together 912 book industry professionals from 99 countries
ISLAMABAD, Sep 25 (APP):The fifth edition of the Sharjah Book Sellers Conference, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, was inaugurated by Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi at Expo Centre Sharjah.
The two-day conference brought together 912 booksellers, publishers, distributors and representatives of e-commerce platforms from 99 countries to discuss bookselling, distribution, digital promotion, artificial intelligence and innovative ways of reaching readers. Pakistan’s book and publishing industry was also represented at the conference.
The Pakistani delegation included National Book Foundation (NBF) Director Headquarters Murad Ali Mohmand, Director Book Corner Pakistan Amar Shahid, Urdu World Books Chief Executive Officer Sarmad Khan, Ferozsons’ Daniyal Muhammad and Liberty Books Pakistan Director Sameer, said a message received here on Friday.
Pakistani representatives established professional contacts with international booksellers, publishers and distributors and discussed opportunities for cooperation in publishing, sales, distribution, translation, digital platforms and access to international book markets.
The participation of Pakistani delegates provided an opportunity to highlight Pakistan’s literary, book and publishing activities within the broader global publishing industry. In particular, the representation of the National Book Foundation helped connect Pakistan’s public-sector initiatives for the promotion and publication of books, access to readers and international literary and publishing relations with the global book industry.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sharjah Book Authority Chief Executive Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, board members, and representatives of cultural organizations, publishing houses and libraries from the United Arab Emirates and various other countries.
The conference aimed to examine practical challenges facing the bookselling sector, explore effective ways of bringing books to readers, benefit from experiences across different markets and promote international business relations.
Its programme featured workshops, panel discussions, innovative presentations and direct business meetings.
In her keynote address, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said that technology was rapidly transforming the ways in which content is created, discovered and trusted. However, she noted that the fundamental role of booksellers remained to connect the right book with the right reader.
She said Sharjah continues to attach importance to this essential relationship between books and readers, while recognising that making use of technological opportunities and investing in the capabilities of industry professionals are essential to preparing for the future.
The conference also featured a keynote address by Jaime Daez, founder and managing director of the Philippines-based renowned bookstore Fully Booked. He shared the organization’s journey from a specialized architectural bookstore to a multi-subject bookselling business, highlighting changes in the market, the needs of local readers, bookstore management and the growing importance of e-commerce.
On the first day, a special session focused on the use of artificial intelligence to increase book sales and expand e-commerce. Lisa Burns, founder and CEO of Karisma Digital, New Zealand, and Sarah Arbuthnot, President of Spado, UK, spoke about increasing sales through AI-generated websites.
The speakers discussed how artificial intelligence can help transform websites into more effective commercial platforms, understand readers’ purchasing trends, improve the digital customer experience and expand the reach of books to wider markets.
Oleksiy Erinchuk, founder and CEO of Ukraine’s Sense Bookstore, also shared experiences of how a bookstore had evolved into a social and cultural centre during wartime. Other sessions explored ways to increase demand for printed books, make effective use of digital platforms and consider the future of bookstores.
The conference also featured practical training sessions and discussions on inventory management, demand analysis, better book displays in bookstores, reducing book returns, expanding e-commerce, professional engagement with publishers and authors, and using data and digital tools for promotion.
Participants had opportunities to learn directly from experts from different countries and explore potential solutions to practical challenges facing their businesses.
A ceremony was also held on the opening day to mark the completion of the first cohort of the “Publisher Pathways” programme, during which Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi presented certificates to the graduates.
During the Sharjah Book Sellers Conference, Pakistani representatives held direct meetings with professionals and organizations from the global book industry to highlight opportunities for promoting books in Pakistan, publishing cooperation, international distribution, reader access and new commercial and literary partnerships.
The conference programme included more than 300 professional meetings aimed at creating new opportunities for practical cooperation among booksellers, publishers and distributors.
The fifth edition of the Sharjah Book Sellers Conference served as an important global platform for strengthening links among booksellers, publishers and distributors and for discussing the emerging challenges and requirements of the book industry.
