It falls within the framework of a broader strategy under the slogan ‘Ibdaa” or “Create’ which aims to upgrade the cultural and creative industries sector in the country

• Targets 500 writers and 100 publishing houses, up to 50,000 copies
• Provides office space for the relevant associations and hosts writers within the programmes and activities of the Ministry and participation in local and international exhibitions
• Signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United Printing Press to print 50,000 copies of a hundred books with 500 copies per title

Abu Dhabi, November 7, 2022: On the sidelines of the Sharjah Book Fair, the Ministry of Culture and Youth has launched a new initiative entitled "Create Publishing" that aims to enrich the publishing and local content industry in the country. The initiative aims at 100  books (500 copies) for each title within various literary, intellectual and cultural fields with United Printing Press during 2023. 

The initiative was launched by Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, in the presence of a large gathering of writers, publishers and industry representatives.

The "Create Publishing" initiative is part of a broader strategy under the title "Ibdaa” or “create", through which the Ministry aims to enhance the cultural and creative industries sector in the UAE, and focus on talented and creative people in various creative fields.

The initiative targets 500 writers and 100 publishing houses, and supports creatives, writers and publishing houses in the country. The initiative especially focuses on new writers, and researchers to continue creative production by providing them with a conducive environment and developing effective plans to market their works. The initiative will encourage production of books by organising a range of activities and events accompanying many important cultural events held locally, regionally and internationally. 

Her Excellency Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, said: "The newly launched Ibdaa initiative comes in line with the National Strategy for Cultural and Creative Industries (Creative UAE), where we seek to support talented and creative people in various fields. Create Publishing aims to strengthen the publishing industry in the country as a fundamental pillar to support writers and publishers, their projects, and providing value addition to libraries with high-quality books to enhance the knowledge and culture of society."

Her Excellency continued: "The UAE enjoys a strong presence in the field of publishing. It has the required infrastructure and talent for publishing to thrive. Through this initiative, we hope to contribute to the continuity of the book industry and provide the public-sector employees in the field as well as other specialists and publishers with the necessary facilities to produce high-quality books to enable the UAE continue as a leader in the field." 

On the sidelines of the event, H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, and Mr. Ali Saif Al Nuaimi, Director General of United Printing Press, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which the latter will print 50,000 copies of a hundred books (with 500 copies per title) within various literary, intellectual and cultural fields in coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Youth. 

The Ministry has developed an integrated plan for the implementation of the initiative.  Publishers and writers will be offered support for the publishing and printing of their books. Office spaces will be provided to the relevant associations across various emirates. The Ministry will also host writers in its programmes and activities, local exhibitions and international participations, in addition to promoting their books through the Ministry's communication channels. 

As a support to publishing houses and authors, 50 copies of each book will be provided to the author and 300 copies to publishing houses for sale through various outlets in the country. These titles will also be presented at local and international book fairs and the remaining copies of the books will be distributed to government, private and university libraries. Editors of newspapers and cultural magazines will also be involved in the project to offer guidance in the marketing of books.

The Ministry will supervise the initiative and allocate an integrated package of regulations to determine the standards of work, in return, publishing houses will take over the task of selecting books and nominating them for production. They will also review the technical standards for cover designs, take the necessary approvals and submit them to the Ministry for final approval, in addition to concluding contracts with publishers. Details related to the publishing of books and contributing to the marketing and promotion of the project and other features may be obtained from the Ministry of Culture and Youth’s official website.

The initiative is bound by certain conditions such as  ensuring that each publishing house must submit a maximum of two books for evaluation by the selection committee (the Ministry has the right to choose one of them), and the work must be of high quality in terms of content, design and other conditions that can be viewed on the Ministry's official  website.

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