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SBA highlights Sharjah's role in advancing children's literature at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2023 

06:06 PM | 9 Mar, 2023
SBA highlights Sharjah's role in advancing children's literature at Bologna Children's Book Fair 2023 

BOLONGA - Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has presented a vivid picture of Sharjah’s and the UAE's leading strategies and innovations in advancing the children's book industry to participants of Bologna Children's Book Fair 2023.

 At the SBA pavilion, the publications of several local cultural entities as well as publishers, including Al Qasimi Publications, the Department of Culture in Sharjah, Arab Children's Book Publisher Forum, the UAE Board on Books for Young People (UAEBBY), and Kalimat Group, offered a large number of visitors key insights into their integrated efforts to promote children’s publishing as well as readership, locally and worldwide. Italian and international cultural representatives explored this rich collection including translated titles while also being introduced to the Arab and Emirati culture.

 HE Ahmed bin Rakkad al Ameri, Chairman of SBA headed the delegation and engaged in key meetings and discussions with book fair officials, publishing associations and institutions. He met with Karine Pansa, President of the International Publishers Association (IPA) and held a meeting with Nihar Malaviya, CEO of Penguin Random House. He also met with an advisor and former CEO of Penguin Random House, Markus Dohle.

 The SBA Chairman noted: “Participating in this book fair, which celebrated Sharjah as Guest of Honour in the very recent past, further propels the emirate's cultural project, founded by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to build cultural bridges around the world”.

 “SBA is particularly keen on participating in international events focused on instilling a culture of reading amongst children, as this aligns with our efforts to develop the children’s and YA literature. Children's book fairs offer an important platform for industry stakeholders with fresh opportunities to produce innovative content that young readers would relate to and actively engage with. Through the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival (SCRF), for instance, SBA has amassed key learnings on the growing importance of children's book fairs. Each year, we strive to bring more publishers and authors into SCRF’s fold so they can benefit from the myriad opportunities it provides to content makers,” he added. 

SBA took the opportunity to highlight preparations for the upcoming 14th annual edition of the SCRF, alongside offering a comprehensive overview of the robust avenues and unique prospects it offers to those working in the children's books industry, like the Arab Children's Book Publisher Forum initiatives, and others.

The authority highlighted the emirate's advanced infrastructure and the opportunities it provides for the creative industries through global platforms like the Sharjah International Book Fair, and educated participants about significant events like the Publishers Conference it hosts to present new opportunities for translation projects and cultural exchange. SBA also highlighted the advanced infrastructure and tax-free incentives offered by Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone to publishers worldwide, in addition to protecting copyright through the Sharjah International Literature Agency.

For his part, Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at SBA, said: “We discussed emerging opportunities offered by SBA to publishers and book distributors we met in Bologna, and analysed ways we can strengthen collaboration and develop effective mechanisms to address challenges and advance the publishing industry. We also focused on attracting the largest possible number of participants to attend the Sharjah Book Sellers Conference, Publishers Conference, and other events designed by SBA to serve and promote this vital sector.”

Sharjah participated in the 59th edition of the Bologna Children's Book Fair last year as the Guest of Honour. It organised a comprehensive cultural programme, including panel discussions, art workshops for children's book illustrators, and an exhibition of children's book illustrations by Emirati artists. 

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Rupee remains stable against US dollar, Euro, Pound, Dirham and Riyal; check forex rates

Pakistani rupee remained stable against US dollar in the open bank market on Friday.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Friday, the US dollar was being quoted at 285.3 for buying and 288.15 for selling.

Euro moves down to 311 for buying and 314 for selling. British Pound rate stands at 358.5 for buying, and 361.5 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED stands at 78 whereas the Saudi Riyal rate stands at 76.20.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan – 1 December 2023

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 285.3 288.15
Euro EUR 311 314
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 361.5
U.A.E Dirham AED 78 78.7
Saudi Riyal SAR 76.2 77
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 759.67 767.67
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.59 39.98
Danish Krone DKK 41.38 41.78
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.63 36.98
Indian Rupee INR 3.39 3.5
Japanese Yen JPY 1.49 1.56
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 926.7 935.7
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 60.38 60.98
New Zealand Dollar NZD 173.44 175.44
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.25 26.55
Omani Riyal OMR 741.26 749.26
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 77.63 78.33
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 26.93 27.23
Swiss Franc CHF 325.9 328.4
Thai Bhat THB 8.23 8.38

Gold rates drop in Pakistan; Check today’s gold rates 1 December 2023

KARACHI – The gold price continues to climb up in the local market in line of upward trend in international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 1 December 2023

On Thursday, the single tola of 24 Karat gold was available at Rs217,400, and the price for 10-gram gold reached Rs186,390.

Meanwhile, the 22 Karat Gold price stands at Rs199,282, 21 karat rate for each tola is Rs190,225 and 18k gold rate hovers around Rs163,050.

In international market, the price of precious metal hovers around $2,045 per ounce.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Karachi PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Islamabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Peshawar PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Quetta PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Sialkot PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Attock PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Gujranwala PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Jehlum PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Multan PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Bahawalpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Gujrat PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Nawabshah PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Chakwal PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Hyderabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Nowshehra PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Sargodha PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Faisalabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696
Mirpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,696

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