For rights professionals seeking to expand into Middle Eastern, Asian, and African markets, the conference offers unmatched access to Arab and international publishing figures in the region.

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has opened applications for the 15th annual Publishers Conference, running 1-3 November 2026 at the Expo Centre in Sharjah, ahead of the 45th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF).

A Premier Rights Trading Forum

The conference targets publishing professionals specialising in translation and rights trading. Delegates from more than 70 countries will convene for expert-led seminars, B2B matchmaking, one-to-one meetings, and networking events.

Applications close on 25 August, with accepted attendees notified by 11 September.

Substantial Financial Support

A standout feature is the $300,000 SIBF Translation Grant, available for deals concluded during the event. The grant allocates $250,000 for works translated from or into Arabic, and $50,000 for translations between other languages. Individual titles may receive up to $4,000 for general books and $1,500 for children’s titles.

Additionally, the Publisher Recognition Award series – totalling AED 75,000 ($20,400) – honours publishers who have made significant contributions to the literary world.

A Legacy of Cultural Exchange

SIBF, founded in 1982 under the patronage of Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, is the third-largest book fair globally and arguably the most important in the Arabic-speaking world. The 2019 fair drew a record 2.52 million visitors alongside 2,000 publishers from 81 countries.

Since its launch in 2011, the broader SBA Translation Grant programme has supported 2,405 books. The 2026 cycle approved 154 titles – a 56% increase on the previous year – reflecting growing international confidence in the initiative.

The View From The Beach

Mansour Al Hassani, SBA Director of Publisher Services, notes that the conference’s success is measured by “the practical outcomes it delivers for publishers, the wider international reach it creates for Arabic content, and the greater access it provides to literature and knowledge from around the world.”

For rights professionals seeking to expand into Middle Eastern, Asian, and African markets, the conference offers unmatched access to Arab and international publishing figures in the region.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.