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Sharjah International Book Fair: EPA, NMC ink accord to boost publishing sector

09:21 PM | 1 Nov, 2017
Sharjah International Book Fair: EPA, NMC ink accord to boost publishing sector
SHARJAH - The Emirates Publishers Association (EPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with National Media Council (NMC) to elevate the UAE’s publishing sector and provide more services and facilities to authors and publishers.

The signing ceremony took place Tuesday at the EPA pavilion at Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), between Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and President of the EPA, and Dr Sultan bin Ahmad Al Jaber, Minister of State and Chairman of the NMC.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the 36th edition of SIBF, which was inaugurated at Expo Centre Sharjah, in the presence of Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development; Dr Michael Kolman, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA); Mansour Al Mansouri, Director General of NMC; and Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of EPA.

The proceedings were attended by EPA board members and several Emirati and Arab publishers.

The MoU is aimed to strengthen partnership and cooperation between the two bodies and help streamline the efforts of government departments in contributing to the development of the UAE’s publishing sector.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two organisations will collaborate to ensure that the region’s cultural accomplishments reach as wide an audience as possible. NMC will play a major role in supporting and equipping EPA’s member publishers to carry out their operations effectively, stay connected with stakeholders, and improve their marketing and distribution channels for the furtherance of a knowledge-based society.



Commenting on the agreement, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said: “The EPA is dedicated to overcoming obstacles facing UAE-based and regional publishers and aims to assist them in the creation of outstanding literary and creative products that will attract readers. Our role also sees us helping publishers expand regionally and internationally, thereby increasing the competitiveness of the UAE’s publishing sector and allowing it to make a bigger impact culturally and economically.”

She added: “Achieving this will require concerted efforts and strong collaboration between all actors in the sector, including publishing houses, distribution companies, authors, illustrators, and translators, as well as official institutions representing creative sectors. The MoU signing with NMC signals a big step in this direction.”

Dr Sultan bin Ahmad Al Jaber said: “This MoU underpins our commitment to communicate directly with publishers and to nurture the cultural and intellectual sphere. It forms part of our avowed aim to further the development of the publishing industry in line with the vision of the wise leadership that seeks to foster reading as a way of life. The signing of the agreement on the sidelines of SIBF underscores the importance of books as the main medium for promoting knowledge, science, and culture.”

“We appreciate Sharjah’s continuous efforts led by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council Ruler of Sharjah, to launch initiatives that support publishing and books. We are confident that pioneering initiatives such as Sharjah Publishing City, the first publishing free zone in the Arab world, will enhance the UAE’s position as a global cultural hub and a destination for authors and intellectuals from around the world,” he noted.

The MoU also outlines the need to develop a joint mechanism for the classification of UAE-based publishing houses, depending on their genres, goals and target readership segments, to ensure the availability of a reliable database that monitors growth rates achieved by the sector.

The EPA was founded in 2009 as an initiative by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi to serve and develop the publishing sector in the UAE and to advance the role of Emirati publishers through the provision of training and mentorship programmes.

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Pakistani rupee remains stable against US Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal and Dirham; Check forex rates

Pakistani rupee remained stable against the US dollar, and other currencies in the open market on Friday.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Friday, the US dollar remained stable and was being quoted at 283.2 for buying and 286.15 for selling.

Euro comes down to 308 for buying and 311 for selling. British Pound rate dropped to 358.5 for buying, and 362 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED witnessed slight drop and new rate stands at 77.4 whereas the Saudi Riyal remained stable at 76.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 8 December 2023

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 283.2 286.15
Euro EUR 308 311
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 362
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.4 78.1
Saudi Riyal SAR 76 76.8
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 757.23 765.23
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.89 40.29
Danish Krone DKK 41.19 41.59
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.41 36.71
Indian Rupee INR 3.42 3.53
Japanese Yen JPY 1.39 1.45
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 921.71 930.71
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 61.02 61.62
New Zealand Dollar NZD 174.54 176.54
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.05 26.35
Omani Riyal OMR 739.62 747.62
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 78.22 78.92
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.12 27.42
Swiss Franc CHF 324.94 327.44
Thai Bhat THB 8.06 8.21

Gold prices in Pakistan increase; Check out latest rates here

Gold price in Pakistan increased as the yellow metal witnessed an upward trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 8 December 2023

On Friday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,400 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,390.

Single tola of 22 Karat Gold costs Rs199,282, 21 karat rate for per tola is Rs190,225 and 18k gold rate is Rs163,050 each tola.

In the global market, gold prices hover at around $2026, gaining $8.30 on Friday.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

Today Gold Price in Pakistan (8 December 2023)

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Karachi PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Islamabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Peshawar PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Quetta PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Sialkot PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Attock PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Gujranwala PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Jehlum PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Multan PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Bahawalpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Gujrat PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Nawabshah PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Chakwal PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Hyderabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Nowshehra PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Sargodha PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Faisalabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Mirpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583

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