emirates7 - Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), led the Authority’s fourth Board of Directors meeting, which brought together board members, executives, and department representatives. The session focused on reviewing recent accomplishments and shaping strategic directions aimed at fostering innovation, improving institutional performance, and further solidifying Sharjah’s status as a leading global hub for culture and publishing.
Kicking off the meeting, Sheikha Bodour reiterated the SBA’s commitment to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. She praised the strides made through strategic efforts that have positioned Sharjah prominently on the international publishing stage.
“Our efforts at the Sharjah Book Authority are centered on strengthening the emirate’s cultural foundations, cultivating global partnerships, and remaining agile in the face of evolving challenges,” Sheikha Bodour stated. “Through storytelling and literature, our initiatives foster deeper connections and a sustainable, inclusive literary future both regionally and globally.”
Key agenda items included setting strategic priorities for the near term, with an emphasis on digital transformation, talent development, customer-centric services, and sustainability-driven innovation. Operational excellence was also a core theme, with discussions aimed at refining internal processes, maximizing resource efficiency, and accelerating impact.
The board examined the role of new technologies in enhancing SBA’s operations, highlighting key initiatives like the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) framework, which includes 75 strategic metrics. These tools are designed to advance organizational growth, improve customer satisfaction, diversify income sources, cut costs, and strengthen global engagement.
A review of recent accomplishments spotlighted the successful hosting of the fourth Sharjah International Booksellers Conference, preparations for the third Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC), and the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition during the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. The board also discussed Sharjah’s upcoming role as Guest of Honour at the Rabat International Book Fair in Morocco and participation in other major international book fairs.
The meeting also assessed SBA’s professional development programs, including the Onshur Scale Track under the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund and a range of targeted training sessions to enhance the skills of publishers and distributors. Feedback from earlier brainstorming sessions was also evaluated.
Board members addressed key challenges such as fast-evolving technologies, rising customer expectations, and attracting top talent. They emphasized the importance of maintaining agility while upholding strong governance to ensure continued resilience and effectiveness.
Further discussions focused on aligning SBA’s initiatives with its long-term institutional goals leading up to 2030. This included frameworks for introducing new projects, annual planning processes, evaluation techniques, youth empowerment strategies, and deepening collaborations with research bodies and expert councils.
In closing, Sheikha Bodour expressed appreciation for the board’s and support teams’ commitment, recognizing their crucial role in driving SBA’s mission. She encouraged continued progress, aiming to develop a model of innovation and governance that reflects Sharjah’s cultural vision and global ambitions.
Kicking off the meeting, Sheikha Bodour reiterated the SBA’s commitment to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. She praised the strides made through strategic efforts that have positioned Sharjah prominently on the international publishing stage.
“Our efforts at the Sharjah Book Authority are centered on strengthening the emirate’s cultural foundations, cultivating global partnerships, and remaining agile in the face of evolving challenges,” Sheikha Bodour stated. “Through storytelling and literature, our initiatives foster deeper connections and a sustainable, inclusive literary future both regionally and globally.”
Key agenda items included setting strategic priorities for the near term, with an emphasis on digital transformation, talent development, customer-centric services, and sustainability-driven innovation. Operational excellence was also a core theme, with discussions aimed at refining internal processes, maximizing resource efficiency, and accelerating impact.
The board examined the role of new technologies in enhancing SBA’s operations, highlighting key initiatives like the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) framework, which includes 75 strategic metrics. These tools are designed to advance organizational growth, improve customer satisfaction, diversify income sources, cut costs, and strengthen global engagement.
A review of recent accomplishments spotlighted the successful hosting of the fourth Sharjah International Booksellers Conference, preparations for the third Sharjah Animation Conference (SAC), and the Sharjah Children’s Book Illustration Exhibition during the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival. The board also discussed Sharjah’s upcoming role as Guest of Honour at the Rabat International Book Fair in Morocco and participation in other major international book fairs.
The meeting also assessed SBA’s professional development programs, including the Onshur Scale Track under the Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund and a range of targeted training sessions to enhance the skills of publishers and distributors. Feedback from earlier brainstorming sessions was also evaluated.
Board members addressed key challenges such as fast-evolving technologies, rising customer expectations, and attracting top talent. They emphasized the importance of maintaining agility while upholding strong governance to ensure continued resilience and effectiveness.
Further discussions focused on aligning SBA’s initiatives with its long-term institutional goals leading up to 2030. This included frameworks for introducing new projects, annual planning processes, evaluation techniques, youth empowerment strategies, and deepening collaborations with research bodies and expert councils.
In closing, Sheikha Bodour expressed appreciation for the board’s and support teams’ commitment, recognizing their crucial role in driving SBA’s mission. She encouraged continued progress, aiming to develop a model of innovation and governance that reflects Sharjah’s cultural vision and global ambitions.