The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) recently completed its participation in Readmagine 2025, a prominent European platform focused on innovation in the publishing industry. During this international event, SBA hosted a session titled “Empowering Emirati publishers through the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur).” The session featured Iman Ben Chaibah, the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA, along with Shatha Nasser, the founder of Kairos Publishing House and a recipient of the fund’s inaugural launch track.

Iman Ben Chaibah highlighted Sharjah’s dedication to creating a sustainable and resilient future for the publishing sector in the UAE and the surrounding region. She introduced Onshur as a strategic initiative aimed at empowering publishers through three key tracks: launch, scale, and disrupt. She stated, “The fund was established to address a fundamental challenge: how to ensure the continued strength and growth of the publishing sector over the long term. It responds to this need by offering a well-rounded framework of training, financial backing and professional mentorship, equipping publishers to tackle industry demands and grow their businesses with assurance and skill.”

Ben Chaibah credited the vision of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, for shaping the comprehensive framework of the fund. She noted that Onshur provides a fully integrated support system that includes professional guidance, targeted training, and access to a network of industry partners and specialists. Additionally, the initiative offers practical resources such as trade licenses, co-working spaces, affordable printing services, and translation support. Ben Chaibah expressed enthusiasm about the strong international interest in the Onshur model during the event, mentioning that several follow-up meetings had already been scheduled to explore potential collaborations.

Shatha Nasser shared her personal journey into the publishing world, noting that her quest for a Spanish novel for a young Arab reader revealed a significant cultural gap. She explained that many important literary works had not yet been translated into Arabic, which motivated her to launch Kairos, a publishing initiative focused on translating classic literature from Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese into Arabic. This effort aims to enhance access to global literary heritage and enrich the cultural landscape of the region.

Nasser also emphasized the vital role that Onshur played in her development as a publisher. She remarked, “The fund provided a comprehensive foundation of mentorship, expertise and industry connections that enabled my entry into the publishing sector. It offered practical knowledge across all stages of book production, from acquiring publishing rights to distribution. With the support of a grant, I was able to establish the publishing house and release titles. It was the true starting point for a locally rooted publishing house with an international outlook.”

The session was one of the highlights of Readmagine 2025, generating engaging discussions about the structure of the Onshur Fund and the possibility of replicating its success in other markets. Participants praised Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi’s leadership and recognized the initiative as an exemplary model for supporting publishers and fostering long-term sustainability within the book industry. Many attendees expressed their hope that cultural institutions in other countries would consider adopting similar frameworks, acknowledging the fund’s effectiveness in empowering publishers and promoting an innovative publishing environment.