Whatever the future holds for the fossil fuel economies, Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich nations all understand they need to diversify, that cultural sectors like publishing can be both lucrative and rewarding, and that the UAE has shown the potential for Arab publishing to be a player on the world stage.

Saudi Arabia has an exceptional cultural presence at the 56th Cairo International Book Fair this year.

Running 23 January through 5 February, the event, organised by the General Egyptian Book Organisation, is the largest book fair in the world by confirmed footfall, although it is Egypt’s growing reputation as a regional hub for the publishing industry that is the big attraction here.

Key Participants

Leading the Saudi delegation is the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, accompanied by other prominent entities including:

Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance

King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language

Saudi Cultural Attache in Egypt

King Abdulaziz Public Library

King Fahd National Library

Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University

Prince Sattam University

University of Tabuk

University of Hafr Al-Batin

Saudi Publishing Association

Opening Ceremony

Per the press release, tte opening ceremony was graced by Dr. Issam bin Saad bin Saeed, state minister and cabinet member for Shoura Council affairs, and Saleh bin Eid Al-Hosseini, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Egypt, along with other officials. Dr. Bin Saad toured the Saudi pavilions to review their contributions to the fair.

Strategic Objectives

Again taking the press release as a guide, Saudi Arabia’s participation aligns with its ongoing efforts to enhance the Kingdom’s publishing sector and literary agencies. The presence of multiple ministries and universities underscores the nation’s commitment to cultural promotion and international collaboration.

The View From The Beach

Nothing there we would not expect from a national government press release, but on a personal note, as I watch the growing number of western publishing industry players engaging with the Saudi publishing over the last year or so, it is clear there is much substance to the Saudi official line.

Whatever the future holds for the fossil fuel economies, Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich nations all understand they need to diversify, that cultural sectors like publishing can be both lucrative and rewarding, and that the UAE has shown the potential for Arab publishing to be a player on the world stage.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.