The Egyptian Prime Minister, HE Engineer Sherif Ismail, praised His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah at the Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF) in Egypt for developing the cultural scene in Sharjah through His Highness’ vision and guidance.

The Egyptian Prime Minister said His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Al Qasimi’s approach and directives enriched life in Sharjah and bridged communication and cultural gaps with other societies and cultures.

HE Eng. Ismail visited the Sharjah Book Authority’s (SBA) stand at CIBF taking place from the 27 January to 10 February, where the Chairman of SBA, HE Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, in the presence of Khalifa Tunaiji, Deputy UAE Ambassador to Egypt, gave him a copy of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi’s book “My Early Life” (Sard Al That), which was personally signed by His Highness for Abdul Fattah Al Sissi, the Egyptian President. The Prime Minister was accompanied by HE Hilmi El Namnam, Egyptian Minister of Culture, and Dr Haitham El Hajj Ali, Chairman of the General Book Authority.

Al Ameri said the Prime Minister’s visit reflects the solidarity between Egypt and the UAE. He said, “His Highness has great respect for Egypt’s culture and intellectuals and the country’s long standing history with literature. Egypt was one of the first countries in the region to provide people and libraries with books through its creative literary figures, poets and intellectuals.”

Al Ameri added, “Every time we visit Egypt for a cultural event, we are greeted very warmly. CIBF was the first book event we participated in in Egypt through the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). Over the past 40 years, Sharjah’s stand at CIBF has become one of the most visited stands by Egyptian intellectuals, poets and thought leaders who visit the book fair.”

The SBA stand at the 47th edition of the Cairo International Book Fair has received great support by Egyptian, Arab and international cultural and intellectual elites and media figures who wanted to know more about SBA events including the SIBF, the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival and the SIBF Translation Grant Fund. Visitors to the SBA stand also asked questions about the SBA awards and how they can submit applications.

Established in 2014, Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is dedicated to encouraging investment in creative industries and offering a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people from different countries and cultures. It is also entrusted with emphasizing the significant role of writers and their influence in spreading awareness of technological advancement and the availability of various sources of knowledge. SBA also aims to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector in general, and the publishing, printing, translation, documentation and children’s books in particular.