United Arab Emirates

5 services powering the entrepreneurial journey of publishers at Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone

Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone

The Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone), the world’s first printing and publishing free zone, is scaling up efforts to create a nurturing environment for a broad spectrum of publishing, printing, and allied businesses to set up, grow and reach new markets, and contribute to the booming global publishing industry.

The range of affordable solutions for business setup needs at SPC Free Zone’s integrated ecosystem enables publishers to set up their businesses in just one day in Sharjah’s high-growth and promising investment environment. A range of cost-effective and value-added services are also fuelling the entrepreneurial aspirations of publishers and facilitating their access to global markets. These services save time, are convenient, enhance communication with industry experts, and help publishers focus on growing their businesses.

By choosing a specialised publishing setup package starting from AED 5,750, publishers can benefit from the following services: 

Consultancy services: Depending on the primary activity and current and future plans of the business, SPC Free Zone guides investors in deciding the structure that best suits the organisation. Investors can get pre-approvals, formalise registration of the business, and get the Business License within 45 minutes.

Drafting services:  SPC Free Zone provides drafting services for vital legal documents that are crucial for the formation of any business including Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Lease Agreements. 

Document services: Investors at SPC Free Zone will be provided with essential documents on finalising the process of company formation. These include Share Certificate, Certificate of Formation, and Business Activity Certificate.

Visa Services: SPC Free Zone offers multiple options that help publishers choose the right residency visa for their business needs. It also speeds up the visa issuance process for investors through a branch of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, port security in the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.

Other Services: Under the publishing package, investors can nominate up to 5 licensed activities from different categories under one trade license without any additional fees, and the publisher can also register as a member of the Emirates Publishers Association under the agreement of understanding between the free zone and the association.

Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone
Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone

Salim Omar Salim, Director of SPC Free Zone, said:

“The value-added services under the free zone’s Publishing Package aim to fulfil the unique needs of each investor, whether they are just starting out in the business or looking to expand their operations. Apart from the wide range of benefits accruing to all investors in a free zone, the additional services further enhance the supportive environment at the free zone and take forward our commitment to creating an inclusive ecosystem for regional and international publishers.”

To know more about SPC Free Zone’s Publishing Package, please visit HERE.

Sharjah International Book Fair 2021
Read also40th Sharjah International Book Fair attracts 1.69 million visitors from 109 nationalities 

Hungarian pavilion at Dubai Expo draws a million visitors

dubai hungary pavilon

The Hungarian pavilion at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai has attracted one million visitors since the fair opened in October, the Hungarian Tourism Agency said on Monday.

The pavilion’s one millionth visitor was a Japanese woman who on Saturday received a gift pack of Hungarian products and a custom memorial certificate from Expo 2020 Magyarország Nonprofit managing director Andrea Tóth and ministerial commissioner Szabolcs Tatár, the agency told MTI.

Expo 2020 Dubai is only open for a few more days but the Hungarian pavilion remains highly popular, even making the list of Emirate magazine The National’s “Five fantastic pavilions you should not overlook”, the agency said.

The pavilion continues to attract up to 8,000-9,000 visitors a day, it added.

The Hungarian pavilion on Monday is organising a two-hour concert designed to bring the atmosphere of Hungarian festivals to the expo, the agency said.

Expo 2020 Dubai was postponed for a year because of the pandemic.

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Hungary to cooperate with the United Arab Emirates in space exploration!

Péter Szijjártó Dubai

Hungary greatly values the stabilising role the United Arab Emirates plays in the Middle East and appreciates its signing of peace treaties with Israel, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Dubai on Wednesday.

Hungary supports the nomination of the officials who prepared the so-called Abraham Accords for the Nobel Peace Prize, the foreign ministry cited Szijjártó as saying. The minister also expressed hope that the spirit of the normalisation deals between Israel and the UAE would live on and lead to more similar treaties.

Speaking at a press conference after a meeting of the Hungary-UAE economic mixed committee,

Szijjártó praised the Emirates for the help it provided to Hungary by sharing its experiences and findings about the use of China’s Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine.

The two countries will continue their cooperation in the area of health care, he said, adding that their health authorities have begun sharing information with one another about the vaccination of children.

Turning to economic ties, Szijjártó said the Gulf countries, and specifically the UAE, presented a wealth of opportunities for Hungarian technology-oriented businesses, naming the area of water management as an example. Bilateral trade turnover reached 400 million US dollars last year, an 11 percent increase from the previous year, while Hungarian exports were up 19 percent, he said, adding that both indicators were at an eight-year high.

Meanwhile,

Hungary’s Eximbank has opened an 800 million dollar credit line to help finance bilateral business cooperation,

Szijjártó said. Hungarian companies were contracted by several cities in the UAE to modernise the public lighting system, he said, adding that Hungarian oil and gas company MOL was in talks with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company on energy cooperation.

Hungary and the UAE also signed a

cooperation agreement on space exploration and space activities,

as well as on water management and higher education. Under the agreement, Hungary will offer university scholarships to 100 students from the UAE as part of the Stipendium Hungaricum programme each year, Szijjártó said.

Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, minister of economy of the UAE, hailed the partnership between the two countries, noting its role in diversifying the UAE’s economy.

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World’s biggest names in photography to engage with audiences at Xposure 2022 – PHOTOS

Xposure 2022

The sixth edition of Xposure International Photography Festival, a premier global event dedicated to celebrating the art of photography, will host 57 of the world’s leading photographers who will showcase their unique works that demonstrate the breadth of contemporary image-making and storytelling and reflects their exceptional experiences and adventures.

Organised by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB),the festival, which will be held over seven days, from February 9 to 15 at Expo Centre Sharjah, will host individual and group art exhibitions by photographers from countries around the world, as well as an integrated programme of inspirational talks, training and educational workshops to suit skillsets of varied age groups. In addition, portfolio reviews will be conducted by accomplished, award-winning photographers. 

Candid and posed portraits and images of daily life captured with the technical brilliance of composition and technique are a hallmark of the images that will be on display at Xposure 2022.

the week-long festival this year will present Magnum member Steve McCurry, whose body of work covers conflict, as well as ancient traditions and cultures. His iconic ‘Afghan Girl’ portrait taken in 1985 had captured the story of a country, its people, and refugees across the world.

Visitors can also view the works of multi-award winning Biljana Jurukovski from Macedonia whose images create discussions about different cultures and respect for traditions; Chris Rainier, who has committed himself to documenting traditional societies who live on the margins of the natural world; Daniel Kordan, a landscape and travel photographer from Russia famed for his breathtaking landscapes; and the stunning documentary images of George Georgiou, a British photojournalist. 

Other noted artists featured include Gonçalo Fonseca, a documentary photographer from Lisbon, Portugal, who sheds light on under-reported issues and Jordan Hammond, whose modern style of travel photography mixes diverse cultures, colour, light and landscapes; while Vineet Vohra, a self-taught photographer and London-based Alan Schaller who specialises in black and white photography, will share their passion for street photography.

Tariq Zaidi, who documents social issues and inequality within various societies across the globe, and Vidhyaa Chandramohan, a photojournalist who focuses on stories on women and culture in the UAE, will also be at the 2022 edition of Xposure.

Xposure 2022
Photo: Xposure International Photography Festival

Several internationally recognised nature and wildlife photographers will showcase compelling stories through their works in this popular and versatile genre at Expo Centre Sharjah.

American photographer Joel Sartore, founder of The Photo Ark, whose works focus on conservation photography will showcase images of his ongoing project that documents some of the most endangered creatures left on Earth; while Michel Rawicki who has been documenting the changing landscape of the North and South poles will offer great insights into a region that is at the heart of climate change. 

On exhibit will be works of Aaron Gekoski, an award-winning environmental photojournalist specialising in human-animal conflict; Belgian photographer Alain Schroeder who has drawn attention to critically endangered species like the orangutans; and Lurie Belegurschi, who has captured the power, majesty and vulnerability of the spectacular landscapes of the Arctic Region.

Other photographers featured in this category include Levon Biss, best known for his extreme macro work; Mogens Trolle, Danish mammal researcher turned wildlife photographer and the winner of the Animal Portraits category of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2020 competition; and Jasper Doest, a National Geographic contributor whose visual stories explore the relationship between humankind and nature.

Six photographers specialising in underwater environments to turn the spotlight on marine conservation includes Brian Skerry, David Doubilet, Jennifer Hayes, Jeffrey Garriock, Daryl Owen, and Laurent Ballesta.

Xposure 2022 will feature several award-winning photographers who bring out the dynamism of buildings and urban architecture with carefully conceived shots that strike a balance between composition and geometry.

Andrew Prokos, a New York City-based fine art photographer and a master of long-exposure photography will showcase his finely detailed images that incorporate architectural elements and sweeping natural and urban views; UAE-based Sajin Sasidharan will showcase his knowledge of composition, light and natural elements in his black and white photography; and Steven Brooke, an active participant in historic preservation, will draw attention to the principles of composition and artistic integrity that have guided his work.

Majid Abdalla Al Bastaki, an architectural photographer born and raised in Sharjah, will showcase images that capture the culture, art and beauty of the emirate while Iwan Baan captures the many ways people shape their shared built environment — from high-architecture to handmade homes.

Prominent photojournalists who examine the human experience through the lens of their unique personal vision, skills, and technique, include James Nachtwey, an American photographer who documents wars and critical social issues; Muhammed Muheisen, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner who has been highlighting the refugee crisis around the world; Omar Havana, Spanish photojournalist; Jana Andert, Czech photographer and filmmaker who focuses on conflict zones and humanitarian issues; and Kiran Ridley, whose reportage work is primarily concerned with issues of migration, human rights and political representation.

Sergey Ponomarev, whose works have depicted the European refugee crisis as well as wars and conflicts in the Middle East; Debi Cornwall, a conceptual documentary artist and filmmaker; Diego Ibarra Sánchez, a documentary photographer based in Lebanon; Bangladesh-based Ibrahim Iqbal, who has won more than 300 awards at the national and international levels; and Frank Fournier, a deeply humanistic photographer who has produced extraordinary work on the civil war in Lebanon, will also be at Xposure 2022.

A host of accomplished artists will be part of Xposure 2022 to convey stories and emotions through a range of workshops and seminars that discuss their works depicting landscapes, portraits, culture, food, cities, towns, and more, from varied geographical locations from around the globe. Prominent photographers who have captured and documented the essence of a distant place in a single frame include, amongst others, Chris Coe, Andrew Semark, Elia Locardi, and David Newton.

Other participating photographers include America’s most iconic photographer Stephen Wilkes, who is widely recognised for his fine art, editorial and commercial work; Slovenian fine art photographer photographer Beno Saradzic; Egyptian Syrian astrophotographer Samy Al Olabi; motorcycle journalist Neale Bayly; accomplished media expert Aidan J Sullivan, commercial photographer Mike Browne; successor to the Surrealist photographic tradition, Spanish artist García de Marina; Colin Hawkins, who specialises in people and product photography; and Ray Wells, the Sunday Times Picture Editor.

Robin Morgan, founder and CEO of Iconic Images of London and Los Angeles; Kathy Moran, National Geographic Deputy Director of Photography; Whitney Johnson, Vice President of Visual and Immersive Experiences at National Geographic; Luca Venturi, Founder and Art Director of the Siena International Photo Awards and of the Drone Photo Awards; and Lars Boering, founder of Triggertale.com – a platform for visual communication, are amongst the other prominent names participating in Xposure 2022.

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Italy announced as Guest of Honour of SIBF 2022 – PHOTOS

Sharjah International Book Fair

The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has announced Italy as the Guest of Honour of the 41st edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), slated for November 2022.

A stellar gathering of Italian authors, artists and publishers will promote the arts, literature and culture of the Guest of Honour country at the 2022 edition of SIBF. The selection also underlines the deep-rooted bilateral ties between UAE and Italy in many spheres including culture and heritage.

The decision was announced at a meeting attended by HE Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, and HE Nicola Lener, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE, to discuss the potential of strengthening mutual cultural relations and explore avenues of collaboration between Sharjah and Italian cities in hosting book fairs and cultural events.

Sharjah International Book Fair

HE Ahmed Al Ameri said: “We look forward to welcoming some of Italy’s greatest writers and artists at SIBF 2022. Through the selection of Italy as GoH, we seek to further the cross-cultural dialogue between the two countries, in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, to build bridges of cultural understanding between peoples across the world and promote common values through knowledge, art and literature.”

“The strong cultural relations between the UAE and Italy date back to the time when the Silk Road connected the East with the West and played a key role in facilitating trade as well as intellectual and cultural exchange. At that time, the UAE was a thriving trade centre for Italian merchants. The selection of Italy as the Guest of Honour at SIBF 2022 reflects these deep-rooted bilateral ties and aims to honour Italy’s contributions to the promotion of knowledge and art,” added the SBA Chairman.

Sharjah International Book Fair

“We seek to enhance knowledge exchange and cooperation with Italy in various creative sectors and we are looking forward to introducing the audience to Italy’s cultural legacy including art, literature as well as the beauty of the Italian language,” he concluded.

HE Nicola Lener, Ambassador of Italy to the UAE, said: “Italy’s participation as the Guest of Honour at the 41st Sharjah International Book Fair next year, is a great opportunity to share our culture with the Arab world. SIBF has emerged as the world’s largest book fair this year after attracting the highest number of publishing professionals from around the world who used the SIBF platform to pursue a variety of business interests. We are keen to participate in SIBF every year and look forward to bringing Italian literature closer to the Arab audience and explore ways to enhance communication between the Italian bookmakers and publishers with their counterparts in the Arab world.”

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40th Sharjah International Book Fair attracts 1.69 million visitors from 109 nationalities 

Sharjah International Book Fair 2021

After establishing itself as the world’s largest book fair this year and receiving 1,692,463 visitors representing 109 nationalities, curtains fell on the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), which ran its course from November 3-13 under the theme ‘There’s always a right book’.

The cultural extravaganza brought together 1,632 publishers from 83 countries. This milestone edition, where Spain was Guest of Honour, surpassed every international book fair held this year to become the world’s largest by attracting the largest number of publishers and literary agents looking to network, matchmake and do business with each other.

Females account for 51.9 percent of SIBF visitors

Statistics released by SBA reveals that Females account for 51.9 percent of SIBF visitors, and males accounted for 48.1 percent of SIBF visitors. As for age groups, 1.3 percent of visitors at SIBF 2021 were under 15 years; 52.2 percent between 16 and 30, those between 31-45 accounted for 35.5 percent, while 11.1 percent were 46 years and older. 90.2 percent of visitors registered on-ground to attend the fair, while 9.8 percent registered via SBA’s digital platforms.

Multiple visits to SIBF 2021 by 20,000 visitors

An interesting finding made by the book fair this year was that around 20,000 amongst the 1.6 million visitors to SIBF 2021 walked into the 11-day fair more than once; and thousands have visited the fair 3 to 7 times. Some even made multiple visits in one day – a clear sign that SIBF is a major cultural attraction. The fair received visitors from 109 nationalities with the UAE securing the top spot, followed by India, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Philippines, Morocco, Tunisia, Morocco, Sudan, Algeria, Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, Austria, America, Canada, and other countries.

More than 1000 activities during the cultural fest

The vibrant and diverse programming agenda of SIBF 2021 included more than 1,000 activities, including 440 cultural sessions, 355 shows, performances, seminars and workshops for children, and more than 80 awe-inspiring theatrical and dance performances from Europe, Asia, and Africa.

For the first time in the history of SIBF, aspiring illustrators, designers and art directors had an opportunity to benefit from a series of free workshops and panel sessions as part of a dedicated Illustration Survival Corner, organised in collaboration with Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

SIBF 2021 brought together 85 writers from 22 countries

SIBF 2021 hosted 85 authors and intellectuals from 22 countries who led the fair’s events and activities. Taleb Al Refai was Cultural Personality of the Year at this edition of the book fair, which also hosted distinguished guests, including Tanzanian novelist and the winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature 2021, Abdulrazak Gurnah; South African comedian and celebrity TV host Trevor Noah; Chris Gardner; writer Yasmina Khadra; Amitav Ghosh; Chetan Bhagat; and the young inventor Gitanjali Rao from America.

Notable names from the UAE and the Arab region include novelists Maysoon Saqr Al Qasimi, Sultan Al Amimi, Asma Al Zarooni, the novelist Reem Al Kamali, and Shaikha Al Mutairi, in addition to poet Khalid Abdulrahman, author Ahlam Mosteghanemi, poet Hisham Algakh, actor Muhammad Subhi, poet Faisal Al Adwani, Egyptian jewellery designer Azza Fahmy, Egyptian author Dr Midhat Al Adl, historian Ali Al Namlah, Jordanian Jalal Barjas, and many others.

Ahmed Al Ameri: The strong foundations of learning laid by books will stand firm in the face of any adversities

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, said:

“We congratulate His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, for the exceptional success of the 40th edition of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF). His Highness’s visionary leadership has yielded great cultural achievements for the UAE and the Arab world, and proved that we are a nation that reads, creates, innovates and publishes. On these strengths, SIBF has emerged as the world’s largest book fair this year. This record achievement would not have been possible without the unwavering support of His Highness over the past four decades.”

“The conclusion of the book fair marks not the end but the beginning of a new journey of cultural excellence for the UAE and the Arab region – one in which the distinct voices of writers and intellectuals are heard and begin to resonate with the whole world. We look forward to seeing more and more creative minds contributing to humanity by achieve shared developmental goals through cultural appreciation and exchange,” Al Ameri added.

The SBA Chairman also stated that the strong participation by publishing professionals as well as the visitor turnout were both an affirmation of the willingness of both current and future generations to embrace books and knowledge. It also demonstrates Sharjah’s regional and global appeal as a platform where the best in literature, creativity, arts and culture intersect.

“The strong foundations of learning laid down by books will stand firm in the face of any adversities; and enlightened minds can build on it to drive prosperity for all,” Al Ameri concluded.

Khoula Al Mujaini: SIBF committed to achieving greater success

Khoula Al Mujaini, Director of Fair and Festivals, SBA, said that SIBF 2021 has achieved the distinguished honour of becoming the largest international book fair in the world. She stated that each year, the event provides new opportunities for publishers across the world to grow and prosper.

She added:

“The incredible success of SIBF 2021 reflects the love and commitment of our visitors, guest publishers and participants to continue celebrating and upholding the written word. As the book fair concludes, we reaffirm our commitment to build on Sharjah’s vision of bringing a bigger cultural feat for the world next year.”

Inaugural edition of the National Libraries Summit

A new addition to the SIBF 2021 agenda was a two-day National Libraries Summit, organised at the SBA headquarters in Sharjah from November 8–9, under the theme ‘Visibility, Engagement, Impact, and Collaboration’. The summit attracted more than 50 participants and 20 national libraries from across 20 countries and served as a platform to engage in several discussions and four networking meetings. The summit was held in collaboration with the American Library Association.

35 speakers, 546 publishers and literary agents participate in the SIBF Publishers Conference

546 professionals and stakeholders across the publishing community including agents, authors, and 35 speakers, participated in the 11th SIBF Publishers Conference, organised in collaboration with the International Publishers Association.

8th Sharjah International Library Conference attracts participation of 500 library professionals

The 8th edition of the Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC), held in collaboration with the American Library Association (ALA) on November 10-11, convened 500 librarians and sector professionals from across the globe, and focused on technologies and trends shaping the sector’s future and facilitated collaborations and networking between guests to elevate the services delivered to their respective communities.

The sponsors and partners of SIBF included Etisalat (official sponsor) Sharjah Broadcasting Authority (official media partner); Abu Dhabi Media (media partner); Expo Center Sharjah (strategic partner); Dar Al Khaleej (press partner); and Al Arabiya TV (media sponsor).

al almari
Photo: Sharjah International Book Fair 2021

8th Sharjah International Library Conference guiding 300 librarians from around the world

HE Meghan Gregonis, US Consul General in Dubai, UAE, among the attendees of the 8th Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC)

A global community of more than 300 library and information professionals from the region and around the world have reinforced their commitment to sharing ideas and expertise to learn from one another and to advance libraries to serve societies better at the 8th Sharjah International Library Conference (SILC), which opened Wednesday, November 10, on the sidelines of the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), in collaboration with the American Library Association (ALA), the two-day annual conference is fostering the professional excellence of participants through insightful discussions on new trends and technologies and exploring ways to enhance resources and services to support learning, literacy, and education to shape creative and innovative societies.

The conference also addressed the ongoing challenges facing libraries worldwide and served as a networking platform for participants.

The 8th edition of SILC opened in the presence of HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA; Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, USA; HE Meghan Gregonis, US Consul General in Dubai, UAE; Patty M. Wong, President of ALA; Sean Murphy, Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy Abu Dhabi, UAE; Julius Jefferson Jr, Immediate Past President of ALA; and Eman Bushulaibi, Director of the Sharjah Public Library (SPL).

Other dignitaries at the opening session included Tracie Hall, Executive Director, ALA, and Michael Dowling, Director, International Relations Office, Chapter Relations Office, ALA.

Welcoming guests and participants at the start of the two-day conference, HE Ahmed Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA, shared his joy at the historic achievement of SIBF as the world’s largest book fair in terms of buying and selling copyrights for this year, and underlined how the 2021 edition marked the rebuilding of the post-pandemic growth of the book industry.

HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of SBA

The SBA Chairman said: “Under the guidance and vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, investments in knowledge, books and culture are steering progress in the emirate and advancing research and human development. As gateways to knowledge and culture, libraries have preserved and strengthened the arts, sciences, poetry, humanities, and the world’s collective cultural heritage for future generations.”

He added: “Sharjah is the only city outside of the US, where a conference of this stature is held, and that gives us every reason to be proud. Libraries are the backbone of human development and organising the Sharjah International Library Conference reinforces our commitment to enhance the capabilities of libraries in both managing and strengthening operations, and enhancing services to empower communities to discover, access, and use of information.”

International literary luminaries confirm presence at SIBF 2021

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Carla Haydenthe first woman and the first African American to lead the national library of the United States, commended the emirate of Sharjah for its pioneering initiatives to develop a knowledge community and nurture a culture of reading.

Pointing out that visibility, engagement, impact, and collaboration are at the heart of what libraries do worldwide, she said: “Librarians are the original search engines; and it is our universal mission to expand access to trusted information and deliver superior services to bridge the gaps in technology and literacy by providing the essential tools that our communities need.”

Dr. Hayden stated that the pandemic amplified the inherent gaps in digital access amongst communities worldwide while describing how libraries responded quickly to become the “digital front doors” and ensure equitable access to a new digital infrastructure for those in need.

Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, USA
Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress, USA

Thanking all conference participants for their belief in the power of the book and for coming together to strengthen partnerships, she said, “Libraries are empowerment agencies and librarians are the trusted sources in the digital age. We are the knowledge advocates; and we are at the heart of the world of literacy and books. I thank each one of you for the work that you do.”

Enriching learning experience

An international roster of experts led discussions and presentations on the opening day of the conference. Dr. Hassan A. Alsereihy, Department of Information Science, King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, and President of AFLI, provided insights into the way forward for libraries in the MENA region at a session titled, ‘Libraries in the MENA Region During Covid and Beyond’. Dr. Huda Abbas, Director of Library and Research, King’s Academy, Jordan, discussed ways of ‘Helping Students Cope and Recover through Bibliotherapy’; while in a session titled, ‘Go Together!’, Tracie Hall, Executive Director, American Library Association explored the critical role of libraries in fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion and closing the information and digital divide.

11th Publishers Conf in Sharjah calls for collective action, increased dialogue to fuel post-Covid recovery

Sonia Alnahawi, recipient of the 2021 School Librarian of the Year Award, organised by the Emirates Literature Foundation, discussed how to create successful school library programmes in ‘School Librarians of the Year: Sharing Stories, Lessons, and Keys to Successes’.

Dr. Fatma Elzahraa Mohamed Abdo, Library and Assistive Technology consultant, American University in Cairo, Egypt, discussed ways of ‘Serving the Visually Impaired’.

Rania Osman, Head of Library of the Future Section, Innovation, Research, and Technology Directorate, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt, enhanced the cataloguing skills of participants at the session titled, ‘Cataloging in Arabic with the new RDA’;  Kara Jones, University Librarian, American University of Sharjah, delved into the concept of ‘Library as Place and Space: Adjusting during Covid and Beyond’; and Abeer Al Kuwari, Director, Research & Learning Services, Qatar National Library, shared strategies for engaging with the community in ‘Public Engagement During the Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities’.

The 8th Sharjah International Library Conference will continue its programming tomorrow (November 11) to spotlight successful initiatives and enhance the knowledge, skills and capabilities of library professionals. The day’s events will commence with a keynote address by Patty Wong, President of ALA. Conference participants will also have the opportunity for one-on-one and group discussions with experts on the key issues and challenges facing libraries.

In the lead up to the Sharjah International Library Conference, two interactive pre-conference workshops were held to outline ways to improve library services and advocacy

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11th Publishers Conf in Sharjah calls for collective action, increased dialogue to fuel post-Covid recovery

Sharjah 11th Press Conference 5

In the lead up to the 40th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), diverse voices representing the global publishing ecosystem have come together for the 11th edition of the three-day Publishers Conference to network and unite industrywide efforts to build a roadmap for post-pandemic recovery. 

Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) in partnership with the International Publishers Association (IPA) at Expo Centre Sharjah, the three-day conference began today (Sunday, 31 October) highlighting the need for stronger stakeholder collaboration and cooperation.

In a keynote address, Bodour Al Qasimi, President of IPA, reiterated their commitment to help support publishers emerge stronger from the pandemic.

“As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of the IPA this year, we are reminded of its long-standing role in giving a voice to publishers around the world”, said Al Qasimi, recounting the role IPA has played not just during global crises but throughout history to address key issues like protection of copyright, freedom to publish and the development of literacy, which affect industry stakeholders worldwide.

Referring to IPA discussions in context of Covid-19 over the past 18 months, Bodour Al Qasimi emphasised, “we want to enhance multi-stakeholder cooperation and strengthen solidarity between each. This is why the IPA worked with many partners to develop the International Sustainable Publishing and Industry Resilience Plan, also known as the Inspire Plan.

More than 50 publishing stakeholders have already committed to collaborating on its 10 objectives, following its recent launch. “We hope to see more trade organisations endorse the Plan during the Sharjah International Book Fair, and strengthen our chance of a strong recovery through collective action and increased dialogue”, the IPA President added.

Bodour Al Qasimi also reiterated to the conference attendees that IPA is working with different partners to help bridge the skills gap through the launch of IPA Academy.

Upon its launch, “the Academy will offer online masterclasses in multiple languages to all our members, which will help bridge the skills gap, and help our members adapt to rapidly changing readership and consumer behavior trends,” IPA President explained.

Welcoming participants to the conference, HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, SBA Chairman, reflected on Sharjah’s exemplary human-centric journey of development as envisioned by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

International literary luminaries confirm presence at SIBF 2021

He noted: “In 2001, the world agreed on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and in 2015, the United Nations announced the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The vital sectors of growth as identified by these Goals included health, education, services and food security. I suggest putting the publishing sector on this list too as it fulfills functions vital to life and progress”. 

Al Ameri also suggested that the publishing sector’s contributions feature in global developmental plans and strategies, and that stakeholders collectively agree on indicators to measure the growth, flexibility and sustainability of the global publishing industry.

“If the eradication of illiteracy is the starting point for nation’s development, then the development of skills, conscience and imagination will guarantee that this development is continuous and long-term. The sustainability of the publishing sector, therefore, becomes not an isolated goal but a vital piece in the global developmental,” the SBA Chairman concluded.

Landmark Inspire Charter to build industry solidarity, drive resiliency

Leading the professional agenda of the 11th Publishers Conference was a panel discussion that explored IPA’s Inspire Plan roadmap which sets the stage for the creation of a more united, resilient, and inclusive post-pandemic publishing industry, and paves the way for coordinated action to strengthen and elevate the entire publishing ecosystem.

Moderating a conversation on ‘Coming Together in Crisis: How the International Sustainable Publishing and Industry Resilience (Inspire) Initiative is Supporting Industry Recovery in Unprecedented Times’, Karine Pansa, Vice President of IPA, said: “Inspire was born from a landmark IPA report From Response to Recovery: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Publishing Industry, published in November 2020.

A headline finding was a universal call for solidarity in working together towards a more coherent and resilient publishing industry. Our future will be even more co-dependent, and stakeholders need the support of IPA, of governments, and local and international agencies and bodies.”

Lawrence Njagi, Chairperson, Kenya Publishers Association, said: “The pandemic caught us flat footed, crippled our operations; we were not prepared as an industry as a whole, like several other sectors. Issues of overreliance on textbooks over trade books affected us in a huge way with school closures. We lacked marketing plans and teams and work-from-home infrastructure too. So, we started looking at different ways of doing things and the Inspire Plan serves as an excellent guide to overcome these challenges in an inclusive, sustainable manner.”

Mingzhou Zhang, President, International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), said: “The impact of the pandemic on the children’s and YA book industries were unprecedented as most writers and illustrators of children’s books make the lion’s share of their sales in schools – Covid-19 completed blocked their entry into school campuses”.

“However, the industry-wide solidarity we have seen and experienced has been so positive and encouraging. Moreover, the acceleration of digitalisation, especially in the children’s book industry, is a welcome revolution and will continue as a trend long after the pandemic is over,” he added.

Patrici Tixis, Vice President, LIBER Book Fair, and Acting President, Spanish Federation of Publishers’ Guilds, said: “The pandemic has changed everything. We need to see things in a new way. We still don’t know the full impact of these changes, but in Spain for instance, consumer behaviour has already experienced new patterns. In pre-pandemic times, 85 out of 100 books were sold in bookshops and 50 out of 100 were sold on e-commerce platforms.

World’s most prominent theatre festival to be held in Budapest

That is not the reality anymore, especially as bookshops are probably the weakest part of our publishing value chain. They are fragmented and needed financial support. Post-pandemic, they started working closely with printers, publishers and other stakeholders and the current reality is that our book market has grown by 15% compared not only to 2020 but also to pre-pandemic revenues. We are trying to open Spain to global markets like Latin America and Sharjah is going to be a key player in enabling our expansion into regional markets.”

Yuliia Кozlovets, Coordinator of the International Book Arsenal Festival in Kiev, Ukraine, said: “Even before Covid-19, Ukraine’s publishing industry was facing several challenges. During the lockdown, we launched a programme for Ukrainian writers abroad.

This year we organised the Book Arsenal Festival in an online format, applying the lessons we learned during the pandemic. How should we be organising book festivals in the new normal?

The physical presence of publishers at a book fair, the reader’s interaction with books – these are vital to the industry’s growth prospects, but are currently a challenge for us to execute safely. I am, therefore, personally extremely inspired by the Inspire Plan because it addresses common challenges faced by publishing industry worldwide, and at the same time, looks into individual roadblocks. The Plan brings us closer together in addressing these issues collaboratively and cohesively, making sure no one is left behind.”

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International literary luminaries confirm presence at SIBF 2021

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Best-selling writers, authors and journalists will join the start-studded cultural activities at the 40th annual Sharjah International Book Fair. The 2021 Nobel Laureate for Literature, Tanzanian novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah, will lead the list of international literary luminaries from 13 countries who will participate in the 40th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF 2021), which takes place from November 3 – 13 at Expo Centre Sharjah.

Organised by Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), the book fair boasts an extensive programme of 440 cultural activities, which will include literary talks and panel discussions led by renowned authors, writers, and journalists from around the world.

America’s and Canada’s bestselling authors at SIBF 2021


Among the headlining personalities at SIBF 2021 is American film producer, entrepreneur and bestselling author, Chris Gardener, whose novel The Pursuit of Happyness has been translated into more than 40 languages, including Arabic, and was adapted to an award-winning film starring Will Smith.

Also hailing from the United States, Gitanjali Rao is a child prodigy

– an inventor, scientist, STEM promoter, and the first child to be featured by Time magazine in 2020 as ‘Kid of the Year’. She is also the bestselling author of A Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM.

Wizz Air announces expansion of Budapest network with exotic destinations

 

Her compatriot, award-winning thriller writer Kathleen Antrim, is the author of the bestselling Capital Offense. She is a former journalist and radio show host. Michael Anderle is a bestselling author and publisher who has been consistently ranked among the top 100 authors available on Amazon store and has sold over 4 million of his books so far.

Abdulrazak Gurnah
 Abdulrazak Gurnah

Tosca Lee is a New York Times bestselling author of 11 novels including The Line Between, A Single Light and The Legend of Sheba.

She has won many awards including two 2020 International Book Awards, and her work has been translated into 17 languages.

Lee will be joined by Daniel Mallory, known as A.J. Finn, author of the bestselling The Woman in the Window that became a Hollywood blockbuster starring Amy Adams, will be one of the star attractions at SIBF. Social psychologist and bestselling author John V. Petrocelli will also join SIBF 2021 from the USA.

john_v_petrocelli
John V. Petrocelli. 

Lebanese-born bestselling author, speaker, educator and activist Najwa Zebian will be present in the fair coming from Canada.

K.J.Howe, also from Canada, is the bestselling author of The Freedom Broker series and has won several awards for her thrillers.

Diversity of European literary culture to be represented by UK, Ireland, France, Spain and Italy


The Ugandan-born British short story writer and novelist Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, who won the 2014 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, is the author of The First Woman, Manchester Happened and Kintu. Also from the UK, Karen Millie James is a novelist and businesswoman, author of The Shadows Behind her Smile, and Where in the Dark. She is now working on her third novel A Thousand Silent Cities.

Other UK-based authors include: Rabina Khan is a writer, politician, broadcaster and author of My Hair is Pink Under This Veil; Candice Carty-Williams, bestselling author of Queenie, Empress & Aniya and People Person; award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author of The Nine Waves and other bestselling books, Mihir Bose; and B.A. Paris, bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, and The Therapist, among others.

B.A. Paris
B.A. Paris. 

From Ireland, thriller writer Alan Gorevan will speak about his critically acclaimed novels including The Kindness of Psychopaths and Better Confess.

From Spain, bestselling author of self-help and inspirational books such as Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, Francesc Miralles, will join SIBF 2021.

Creator of the Editions du Jasmin, Saad Bouri from France is the author of traditional French-Arabic tales The Fox and the Hyena and The Wolf, the Lion and the Fox. Hans Limon, author of several popular plays and books including La Bataille d’Hernani, joins the French contingent to SIBF 2021. His compatriot Isabelle Leymarie is a pianist, filmmaker, translator, photographer, musicologist and author of Cuba and its Music and several other works.

Yasmina Khadra, also from France, is the pseudonym of Mohammed Moulessehoul. His works have been translated into 52 languages and have been adapted for the cinema and theatre.

From Italy, SIBF will welcome Lisa Ginzburg, author of Cara Pace and several other acclaimed novels; and Donatella Di Pietrantonio, award-winning novelist of L’Arminuta and Borgo Sud, among others.

Literary champions from the African continent and Russia at SIBF 2021

Serial entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Where Beauty Blossoms, I am, Swaady Martin will enrich SIBF with the point of view from Ivory Coast in West Africa, while two authors from Kenya will bring the East African perspective to SIBF 2021. Academic and bestselling author of three novels including Dance of the Jakaranda, Peter Kimani is known as the voice of his generation. Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, winner of the 2003 Caine Prize for African Writing, showcases the East African experience through a coming-of-age story in her latest work The Dragonfly Sea.

Russian writer, academic and editor Dr Naumkin Vitaly will be joining the literary line-up at SIBF 2021.

He has authored more than 600 publications and has been a senior political advisor to the UN Special Envoy for Syria since 2016.

A host of 15 literary greats from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be joining this group of global participants and enrich the discussions and debates at SIBF 2021.

Themed ‘There’s always a right book,’ the forthcoming 40th annual SIBF will see the participation of 1,576 publishing houses from 83 countries. More than 15 million titles will be on display throughout the 11-day celebration of literature, knowledge and culture.

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International tour for prostitutes? A Hungarian couple was caught for it – VIDEO!

Denmark, Norway, Singapore, Australia, and Dubai were among the countries where the women were taken.

32-year-old Dávid N. and 29-year-old Annamária H. created a network that worked well between 2016 and 2019. The pair from Biatorbágy scouted women to become prostitutes abroad. They organised their travels, booked hotels and apartments, and took on the task of promoting and advertising the girls in foreign countries. They received calls from the clients and transported the prostitutes to the given addresses, writes police.hu.

The prostitutes even went on “tour” to foreign countries and changed the location of their activity every 2-3 days to become more popular among potential clients in the respective country.

The girls’ payments varied. Some of them earned a fixed amount of money, while others only got 50-60% of what they made. There were girls who had to contribute to the expenses of their transportation and accommodation. The traffickers, on the other hand, earned millions due to their network.

The police charged the couple with the crime of “business-like pandering”, and they could face up to 8 years in prison.

The criminals were arrested in their home. Police officers found many mobile phones, SIM cards, various electronic devices, notes, and cash that could possibly be connected to the couple’s criminal activities.

As we wrote in a previous article, Hungary is usually the initial country or a transit zone for human trafficking. People who have a lower level of education, little work experience, and unstable family backgrounds are prone to become victims of human trafficking or being lured into prostitution.

Hungarian citizens are usually taken to Western European countries, such as the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, Austria, and the United Kingdom. This is one of the reasons why the overseas network of clients is not usually heard of.

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Hungarian private mercenary army was created, the investor is from Dubai

A Hungarian private mercenary army is currently recruiting members. The private enterprise will work on a foreign military mission. The goal of the founder is to create a prestigious company on an international scale.

The new company is more than just a security company. Richárd Bagjos, the professional coordinator of the enterprise, told novekedes.hu that all employees are recruited based on acquaintanceship and personal recommendations, and they will not recruit new employees online. Every recruited person has experience in law enforcement. Former soldiers, shooters, police officers, and specially qualified people, such as firefighters and detectives, will work at the company. Application has been open since October last year.

Right now, there are 1,000 people available for a mission. There could be a total of 3,000 Hungarian men of arms, and another 7,000-8,000 people from the security sector could be recruited. The rest of them could be recruited from the Czech Republic, Poland, South America, and South Asia, in the case of an expansion of up to approximately 20,000 people.

“For the time being, headhunting has been going on in Hungary for ten months; among others, we are looking for blasting experts, IT specialists, paramedics, and even radar operators and interpreters, not just armed guards,” writes novekedes.hu based on the words of the professional coordinator.

The founder of the enterprise wants to be able to deploy a contingent of 600 people to any part of the world. The investor is the owner of a company group in Dubai. The Hungarian private mercenary will be registered in the United Arab Emirates.

The clients would be countries where law enforcement and the military are necessary. These clients could be Iran or Afghanistan. Both countries are currently left without multinational western forces.

The company made an offer to assist in the defending of Kabul, the capital city of Afghanistan. There was a request from Iraq to take part in projects related to the government, but there have been discussions about the defence of the Syrian-Iraqi border. Other missions could take place at an African airport and port, in a French refugee camp, but the Hungarian company might also help with advice to a police unit in Sweden. 

Some discussions involve other tasks, such as building private prisons, stopping street riots, and training personnel.

Famous Hungarian Herend Porcelain opens new luxury store in Abu Dhabi – PHOTOS

Herend Porcelain, one of if not the most well-known Hungarikums, have expanded their empire of luxury china products by teaming up with a company in Abu Dhabi, making it possible for the first Herend brand store to be opened in the United Arab Emirates.

According to the website of the famous Hungarian company, Al Mazroui Group has contacted them and ended up partnering with Herend Porcelain Manufactory. As the company was able to keep up with the luxury quality of the Hungarian china products, Herend decided to create the new Herend United Arab Emirates group. Thanks to this new group, the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region can enjoy the beautiful hand-made and hand-painted Hungarian porcelain products. Still, the company also planned to expand its range beyond European porcelain products. If you would like to know more about the brand, we recommend you to read THIS article.

The only thing that had remained now was to choose the perfect place for the new Herend store that would attract the wealthiest customers who can afford to decorate their homes with one of the most elegant Hungarikums. The newly founded Herend United Arab Emirates have considered many locations before settling with a store in the famous Avenue at Etihad Towers, a place for luxury boutiques of the highest quality of brands only for the most affluent fashion, jewellery and art connoisseurs.

According to Herend, “it is the ideal location to attract high-profile clients, such as royals, members of the country’s most influential families as well as wealthy tourists from neighbouring countries”.

Not only the location but also the looks of the brand-new store was carefully considered. As the company puts it, this is a “stepping-stone” that might establish them in the Eastern market and introduce the brand to the most affluent of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Because it is so important, everything was designed and planned with the utmost care and precision.

For their new boutique in the Avenue at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, the company used its flagship and iconic Budapest store, the Budapest Porcelain Palace. They aimed to invoke the atmosphere of their Hungarian store but present it for the Eastern market.

For the most part, the design of the store remained faithful to the one in Budapest. The interior radiates “European elegance”. The floor is marble, just like in the Porcelain Palace, and the primary colours of the store mainly remained the same; black, white, oak and gold. The iconic piano-black cabinets with white interior have made their way into the new store, as well as the oak shelving around the bottom of the cabinets and as a whole separate wall, just like in the Hungarian flagship store. The main difference might be a bit of heavier use of gold accents.

The Arab customers of the store might be happy to see that besides the typical European-style dinnerware, vases and coffee and tea sets and Hungarian Herend product lines like Victoria, Rothschild, Batthyány and Apponyi, the Arabic finjan is also available to be purchased.

“The Herend artists have used their expertise in creating unique pieces of porcelain to rework this traditional cup, emblematic of the Arab world,” – can be read on the brand’s official website.

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Read alsoWorld famous Hungarian porcelains: Herend, Hollóháza and Zsolnay- Photos!

Burj Khalifa commemorated Hungary’s Revolution Day – VIDEO

Burj Khalifa hungary flag

March 15 is one of the three national holidays in Hungary (August 20 and October 23 are the other two): it commemorates the Revolution of 1848. This day symbolizes national independence and democracy.

The Emirates and the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world since its topping out in 2009, greeted Hungary on March 15, 2021.

https://www.facebook.com/Emirates/photos/3637583766351346
https://twitter.com/BurjKhalifa/status/1371503786783571974
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Read alsoWOW! The Hungarian flag was projected on Matterhorn, the most well-known peak of the Alps!

7 reasons why renting a car is the best option for your holiday in Dubai

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Dubai is one of the most prominent cities in the world. Every year, thousands of people visit Dubai either on business purpose or for tourism. The city has been regarded as the major commercial centre in the Middle East with millions of business transactions carried out in the city daily. Also, millions of people come into Dubai every year through the two terminals located at the Dubai International airport for tourism purposes. Dubai is a commercial and tourism hub for many global giants.

Rent a car Dubai should be the first thing you look up to whenever you are in Dubai for your holiday because car rental Dubai is proving to be a much better option than relying on taxis and other forms of public transport. To rent a car as a tourist just visiting the city, you must present either an international driving permit or a European driver’s license, a passport copy and a visit visa copy to the car rental company. Also, if you are a citizen of the US, the UK or any ICC countries like Canada, you can present your Home country driving license as proof of your driving permit.

Whenever you are in Dubai, you should look to rent a car for the following reasons:

  • It is very affordable

One of the main aims of rent a car Dubai is providing an affordable transportation medium for your trips in Dubai. Car rental services are structured to satisfy your transport needs at a cheap cost. Car rentals offer amazing discounts and special bonuses for people that use car reservation services to book cars early and also in a car rental deal for people that rent a car on a long term basis. If you are a visitor or tourist in Dubai and you are looking to save on transports, renting a car is the best option for you.

  • It is reliable

As a tourist, you will not have to rely on public transport during your holiday due to the presence of Rent a car Mall of Emirates. Car rentals services are proving to be very reliable because they will always be a car available for you no matter the time. Also, you will not have to bother about your transport whenever you want to move from one place to another because by using your smartphone, through online booking sites you can arrange a car for yourself and the car will be delivered for you at your doorstep. The reliability of car rentals is another reason why renting a car during your holiday is the best option for you in Dubai.

  • Long trips made easy

If you are on holiday in Dubai and probably you want to visit the beautiful desert landscapes that are in the outskirts of the city, renting a car is the best choice for you. This is because the public transportation systems do not operate within these zones, however with a small amount of money, you can rent a car for those kinds of long distance trips in the city. Even though it is a trip from Dubai to Abu Dhabi or Sharjah, car rentals got you covered for these journeys. 

Moreover for an unforgettable experience, you can rent a yacht in Dubai and enjoy the incredible panoramic view of the Dubai skyline. 

  • It is comfortable

Renting a car Dubai is all about comfort during trips in Dubai. Car rental will provide you with a car that will provide so much comfort for you during your trips in the city. Travelling in the public transportation systems can be very uncomfortable due to the large number of strangers. Also, it can be very hectic and stressful for you to jump from one bus to another especially in the summer. However, renting a car in Dubai allows you to enjoy so much comfort during your holiday because you can stop at anywhere you want within the city to take some pictures and you can also get a car that will be suitable for you to contain a large number of people, rather than squeezing everybody into the little space in a taxi.

  • You can enjoy different variety of cars

Different varieties of cars are available for rent in car rental Dubai. No matter the brand of car you want, car rental will have the car or a car from a close brand available for you. When renting a car, you can enjoy a wide selection range to make a choice that will satisfy your transport taste and desire during your holiday in Dubai. 

  • Car rentals can provide you with an experienced driver

If you are a tourist and you do not know how to drive, car rentals can provide you with an experienced driver for your trips within the city of Dubai. With an experienced driver, you will not have to worry about your safety during trips in Dubai. 

  • You can easily save up for other things

Renting a car in Dubai is cheap and affordable due to the presence of amazing discounts and special offers that reduces the cost of rental. Due to this, as a tourist you can easily save up some money for other things when you rent a car in Dubai.

Conclusion

Renting a car is the most comfortable, reliable and safe way to travel within the city of Dubai. Furthermore, you can enjoy different brands of cars that are available for rent in Dubai and Rent a car Dubai is proving to be the best choice for long distance travels. Hence, as a tourist or visitor on holiday, renting a car should be the first thing on your mind whenever you land in Dubai. 

Disclaimer: the author(s) of the sponsored article(s) are solely responsible for any opinions expressed or offers made. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the official position of Daily News Hungary, and the editorial staff cannot be held responsible for their veracity.

How to choose the best free zone for business registration in the UAE

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The United Arab Emirates are not without reason associated with stability and prosperity. The country maintains excellent conditions for the development of entrepreneurial activity thanks to the creation of a number of free economic zones.

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The term free zone means a limited area within a particular region. It receives a special legal status in relation to the rest of the territory and provides entrepreneurs with preferential economic conditions. In the UAE, free zones were established with the aim of stimulating investment flows, enhancing international trade, and also as a tool for creating jobs and an impetus for development modern technology.

Today, free zones operate throughout the country. Only in Dubai there are more than 20 of them.

Some zones were created specifically for a certain type of activity, some encourage the activities of companies of any type.

For example, Ajman Free zone Dubai is known as the cheapest and one of the most profitable for opening trading, consulting and manufacturing enterprises. It features an excellent logical network and a convenient location at the entrance to the Persian Gulf.

The benefits of starting a company in Sharjah free zones

The emirate of Sharjah was inferior to such rich emirate as Abu Dhabi and Dubai by area, by population, by GDP per capita, by the standard of living of local residents.

But the regional authorities did not want to be in the tail, so they turned Sharjah into a national industrial center, where today almost half of the state GDP is produced.

The first Sharjah Dubai free zone named SAIF was formed in 1995. In fact, it instantly became popular among foreign entrepreneurs, because it offered them great opportunities for their business projects.

This free zone has a number of exceptional features, which favorably distinguish it from other OAE free zones:

  • It has an excellent geographical location, which makes it accessible to seaports located in the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, as well as for international passenger and cargo flights. 

  • This is one of the oldest free zones in the UAE, therefore it is distinguished by traditions that have developed over decades and well-adjusted work. 

  • The area of this free zone is really huge, so there is no shortage of infrastructure facilities. 

  • Rental conditions for business premises are flexible. Entrepreneurs can sign a contract for both short and long term. 

  • In the zone, there is a favorable investment and business climate, which allows you to quickly increase the profitability of the company. 

  • Large selection of banking institutions that offer foreigners to open an account here. 

  • Opportunity to open resident and work visas for employees of a company with foreign citizenship. 

  • The willingness of the management of this free economic zone to improve working conditions for entrepreneurs and to respond to their wishes. 

The most effective way to open a company in the UAE

Registration of an enterprise in a foreign country is a responsible mission. It is important to know not just the administrative process, but also to understand the importance of properly building a corporate structure.

That is why the best solution would be to contact a professional consulting agency.

This will help you quickly and efficiently solve issues such as:

  • choosing the right place and type of registered company; 

  • collecting the necessary documents and obtaining a license; 

  • legalization of all necessary documents; 

  • obtaining UAE residence visa or Dominica passport; 

  • opening personal and business bank account; 

  • resolving any issues with local authorities.