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SIBF sees poor response from Africa

Sharjah - Political, economic and border issues are the main reason for the poor participation of African countries, says official.

African participation in Arab and International book fairs is very poor, due to political, economic and border issues, said Mohammed Radi, Vice-President of African Publishers Network (Apnet). Apnet represents all regions from across Africa with 27 national publisher associations as members.
Speaking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), Radi said Apnet is a pan-African, non-profit, collaborative network that exists to connect African publishing associations to exchange information and promote and strengthen indigenous publishing.
He said participation is very poor in book fairs in Arab countries and the world, due to several reasons which involve economic, political and boarder issues between countries. All book fairs around the world usually offer free stalls for African participation, but they don't turn up. For example, Ghana is supposed to participate in this edition of SIBF, their stall is here but they haven't arrived yet maybe for a particular reason related to shipping issues.
Afro-Arab countries extensively in the book fairs in Arab countries, but not internationally.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah International Book Fair