Publishing in the UAE: an insider’s perspective

• Author: Catherine Jewell
• Position: Communications Division, WIPO

How did you get involved in publishing?

My journey into publishing began with children’s books in 2007. At the time there were very few good quality Arabic children’s books – those that did exist were translations of foreign books and their print quality and illustrations were very poor. That is what prompted me to set up Kalimat Publishing, with the aim of producing high quality and enjoyable Arabic literature that would capture the imagination and interest of children.

How would you describe the UAE’s publishing landscape today?

Publishing in the UAE is still in its infancy, but has significant potential to develop into a sector of strategic relevance domestically and across the region.

While there are no exact figures available, the estimated value of the UAE book market is around one billion AED (approx. USD272 million) and it is expected to experience further expansion with the rapid uptake of e-books.

With one of the most tech-savvy populations in the world –Internet and smartphone penetration at 92 percent and 72 percent respectively – the future of electronic publishing looks bright. I believe that while digital technology will enhance reading, there will continue to be a place for the printed book. Reading on paper will always remain enjoyable (and easier on the eyes than reading electronically). That said, to remain relevant, publishers need to keep up with technological advances and create sufficient rich and interactive content to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers.

When I first ventured into publishing, I was optimistic about the future but could not have foreseen the phenomenal rate of expansion of the Arab publishing sector. Book publishing in the Arab world is an exciting and stimulating undertaking and, as a dynamic emerging market, the UAE is already serving as a hub for publishers and books from across the globe.

But if the industry is to continue to thrive we need to maximize skills development. Teaching a new generation of gifted and passionate publishers and writers, whose new ideas and solutions will encourage a new generation of readers, is central to ensuring the sector’s future development.

What new initiatives are supporting the growth of publishing in the UAE?

The national drive to improve reading skills and levels of education among children is fueling interest in children’s books. We are seeing the growing popularity of a wide range of festivals, workshops and programs to promote all types of reading.

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