SBA

Founded in 2014 by Royal Decree

SBA’s vision and purpose are defined by the Ruler of Sharjah, a scholar, author, and an avid reader. We want future generations to grow up with his passion for books and culture. His mission to create a nation of readers is the driving force behind everything we do.

A Message from Our Chairperson

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) is an integral part of Sharjah’s cultural and educational mission. We believe that books and reading play a crucial role in cultivating a society that thrives on knowledge. Through a variety of global and local initiatives, the SBA is supporting the development of publishing in the UAE and the Arab region, building a cultural bridge that connects us to the rest of the world, and creating generations of readers who think critically. The SBA will continue to advance Sharjah’s mission to become a truly global cultural hub with passion and determination. We are committed to empowering people of all ages and backgrounds to reach their full potential through the power of reading.

H.E. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority

H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, has played a significant role in establishing a global presence for SBA through its initiatives and programmes designed to boost the Arab book industry while also helping preserve Arab culture and language. Since its inception in 2014, HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri has been at the helm of SBA – the entity that organises the annual Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). SBA’s flagship initiative, the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone) is the world’s first-of-its-kind free zone dedicated to offer a complete ecosystem for businesses in the publishing and printing industries. The Sharjah Library and several other cultural initiatives also operate under the SBA. Under Al Ameri’s leadership, SIBF continues to grow in stature every year and was recognised as the world's largest book fair in its milestone 40th edition in 2021 after attracting the participation of 546 publishers and literary agents from 83 countries looking to network, matchmake and do business with each other...

Mr. Abdulaziz Taryam

His Excellency Abdul Aziz Taryam held many key leadership positions throughout his career until he assumed the position of General Manager of Etisalat in the five northern emirates in 2006. He was later assigned the duties of advisor to the CEO to help implement the company's various strategic initiatives. Abdul Aziz was also a member of the Board of Directors of Etisalat International Pakistan in two companies (PTCL and Ufone), and he is a member of the Board of Directors of the submarine cable company e-Marine. He also chairs the Audit Committee of the same company. He has a considerable experience in strategic planning, which has enabled him to establish and lead a network of successful business relationships with government agencies and prominent business leaders, which has led Etisalat by e& to become one of the most recognized brands in the United Arab Emirates, in addition to being one of the most prominent sponsors of major national events along with literary and cultural activities in the Northern Emirates.

CEO Adviser and General Manager - Northern Emirates, Etisalat by e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group)

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, is Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President (DSVP), International Affairs. In his role, Sheikh Majid drives the airline’s government, industry, public policy, regulatory, environment and international affairs agenda. He also leads teams that represent Emirates in government negotiations and air services talks, as well as various aviation industry bodies of which Emirates is a member. Sheikh Majid previously held the position of Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations-Centre, overseeing the commercial development and long-term strategies of Emirates’ business across the Gulf, Middle East, Iran, as well as West Asia. During his career with Emirates, Sheikh Majid worked in several senior managerial positions covering the Gulf and Middle East, UAE, West Asia and Indian Ocean. He also held country management positions in key markets for Emirates, such as Lebanon, Bangladesh and district management positions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the UK. Sheikh Majid joined Emirates as a management trainee in 1996 after graduation from the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in the United States.

Divisional Senior Vice President, International Affairs

Mr. Youngsuk ‘YS’ Chi

Youngsuk ‘YS’ Chi is an international businessman and a global thought leader in the publishing, education, and information solutions industries. As Chairman of Elsevier, he works directly with key stakeholders in government, academia, and industry to support over 30 million scientists, students and health information professionals. In his role as Director of Corporate Affairs for RELX, Elsevier’s parent company, he is responsible for government affairs, corporate communications, and corporate responsibility across all four of the group’s market segments. Based in the U.K. and U.S., Chi travels extensively to engage with scientific research communities, deliver thought leadership on key trends and advise stakeholders, boards, and groups across industries. He has served as President of the International Publishers Association and Chairman of the Association of American...

Chairman, Elsevier

Mr. John R. Ingram

John R. Ingram was named Chairman of the Ingram Industries Inc. Board of Directors in April 2008, having served as Vice Chairman of the Board since 1999. He is also Chairman of Ingram Content Group LLC. Mr. Ingram is a graduate of Princeton University, where he received a B.A. in English in 1984. In 1986, he received his M.B.A. from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University. Mr. Ingram joined Ingram Industries Inc. in 1986, serving early in his career as the Assistant Treasurer and also as President of Tennessee Book Company (which became part of Ingram Content Group in 2009). He later served as President of Ingram Book Company, Vice President of Purchasing for Ingram Micro Europe, and Director of Purchasing for Ingram Micro Inc.

Chairman of the Board, Ingram Industries Inc. Chairman, Ingram Content Group LLC

Mr. Gaurav Shrinagesh

Gaurav Shrinagesh, Chief Executive Officer – India & South East Asia for Penguin Random House, is an entrepreneurial leader with over two decades of experience in global markets addressing strategic growth, digital transformation and market engagement. He is a transformational leader able to disseminate ideas that generate action and maximise value. Able to innovate in markets by championing digital capability as a competitive differentiator, Gaurav has spearheaded the progress of Penguin Random House in India by acquiring authors and books across a diverse range of voices, publishing some of the most eminent writers in the regions, leading innovation and crystallising operating efficiencies that have enabled the company to become the industry leader in India and the region.

CEO, India & South East Asia & Member Global Executive Committee, Penguin Random House

H.E. Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais

H.E. Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais chairs the Sharjah Department of Culture. H.E. is also the vice chairman of the Higher Committee for Human Resources, the chairman of the Executive Committee of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah’s Initiative to Establish Houses of Poetry in the Arab World Countries, the chairman of the Higher Coordinating Committee of the “Sharjah Cultural/ Heritage Days around the World” project, editor-in-chief of seven cultural magazines issued monthly by the Department of Culture: (Al-Rafid – Sharjah Cultural- Al-Hirah from Sharjah- Al Qawafi- Al Wusta- Al Sharqiya- Al Masrah), member of the National Media Council and board member of the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities.

Chairman of the Department of Culture Member of Executive Council of Sharjah Government

Mr. Rashid Al Kous

Rashid Al Kous is the Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting publishers in the United Arab Emirates. With over two decades of experience in the cultural sector, particularly in the publishing industry, his role encompassed various responsibilities, including actively formulating goals and strategic plans for the Emirates Publishers Association, executing decisions made by the Board of Directors, and designing executive programmes to foster stronger relationships with association members. He prioritises meeting the needs of publishers and strives to enhance the publishing sector's contribution to the national economy. Rashid Al Kous began his professional career in 1998 working within the Sharjah government. Over the years, he has held various positions in prominent cultural initiatives, which have played a pivotal role in his professional development...

Executive Director of EPA

Ms. Marwa Obaid Rashid Al Aqroubi

Marwa Obaid Rashid Al Aqroubi, executive director of House of Wisdom, is a leading figure in the cultural scene in the United Arab Emirates. She has an impressive track record of achievements in the publishing and writing sector, namely children's books, as well as promoting reading. Before that, Al Aqroubi led the Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 project. Furthermore, Al Aqroubi is the President of the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY). During her presidency of the UAEBBY, Al Aqroubi contributed to the launch of the "Read, Dream, Create" campaign to instil the love of books in children's hearts. And "Kan Yama Kan" initiative, which aims to provide children with high-quality books during crises caused by conflicts, wars and natural disasters around the world. Through the "Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature"...

Executive Director, House of Wisdom President of UAEBBY

Dr. Abdulaziz Al Musallam

Emarati poet, writer and researcher, born in Sharjah October 27th 1966, passionate about culture heritage, wrote dozens of fairy tales and poems EXPERIENCE BOARD MEMBER, SHARJAH BOOK AUTHORITY, SHARJAH, UAE 2023 - PRESENT REGIONAL DIRECTOR, IOV, NGO OF UNESCO - 2016 - PRESENT CHAIRMAN, SHARJAH INSTITUTE FOR HERITAGE, SHARJAH, UAE — 2014 - PRESENT www.sih.gov,ae BOARD MEMBER, ICCROM, ROME - ITALY - 2011 - 2018 FOUNDER, KALAMON PUBLISHING, SHARJAH - UAE - 2017 - PRESENT www.kalamon.com DIRECTOR OF HERITAGE, DEPARTMENT OF CULTURE, SHARJAH, UAE - 1995 - 2014 MEMBER OF EDITORIAL BOARD, MOZOUN MAGAZINE, AJMAN, UAE - 1990 - 1997...

Expert, Culture Heritage Management

Mr. Markus Dohle

Mr. Dohle is the founding past Chief Executive Officer of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, a position he held from 2013 until December 2022. Prior to the merger of Penguin and Random House, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Random House from 2008 to 2013. He also served on the Executive Board of Bertelsmann SE, one of the largest media companies in the world and Penguin Random House’s parent company, from 2008 to 2022. Mr. Dohle joined Bertelsmann in 1994 and he continues to serve as Senior Advisor to Bertelsmann and Penguin Random House. He also serves as the Executive Vice President of the Board of Trustees of PEN America, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Book Foundation. Mr. Dohle holds a Business Administration and Engineering Diploma from University of Karlsruhe.

Executive Vice President of the PEN America Board of Trustees

A Lifelong Love of Learning