The 2021 Sharjah International Book Fair will take place from November 3 to 13 at Expo Centre Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
The 2021 Sharjah International Book Fair will take place from November 3 to 13 at Expo Centre Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
The 2021 Sharjah International Book Fair will take place from November 3 to 13 at Expo Centre Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National
The 2021 Sharjah International Book Fair will take place from November 3 to 13 at Expo Centre Sharjah. Pawan Singh / The National

Sharjah International Book Fair announces dates for 2021 event


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The Sharjah International Book Fair is set to return next month with an 11-day event held under the theme, There is always a right book.

The fair, now in its 40th iteration, will take place from November 3 to 13 at the Expo Centre Sharjah. Though the programme is yet to be revealed, organisers say it will aim at “enhancing cross-cultural dialogue” with a global line-up of authors, publishers and creatives, with many taking part in the fair for the first time.

“We encourage people from all backgrounds and age groups to attend this exceptional edition,” said Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), said.

“Nations rely on people for advancement, and people’s learning experiences of both their own and global cultures form the first building block of civilisational progress.”

The event, Al Ameri said, is “not only about attending literary discussions or buying books.”

“It is a key component of Sharjah’s comprehensive development project," Al Ameri said. “The fair emphasises the importance of reading as a daily habit and nurtures an everlasting relationship between individuals and books.”

“The 40th edition will continue the efforts undertaken in previous editions to help global industry stakeholders fully recover and prosper again.”

Khoula Al Mujaini, general co-ordinator of the Sharjah International Book Fair, said the 2021 event aligns with the cultural campaign launched recently by the SBA under the slogan, "If you’re into something, you’re into books".

She said the slogan for this year’s edition of the fair, "There is always a right book," promotes the message that people can find books catering to all interests and passions at the event.

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if you go

The flights

Flydubai flies to Podgorica or nearby Tivat via Sarajevo from Dh2,155 return including taxes. Turkish Airlines flies from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Podgorica via Istanbul; alternatively, fly with Flydubai from Dubai to Belgrade and take a short flight with Montenegro Air to Podgorica. Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Podgorica via Belgrade. Flights cost from about Dh3,000 return including taxes. There are buses from Podgorica to Plav. 

The tour

While you can apply for a permit for the route yourself, it’s best to travel with an agency that will arrange it for you. These include Zbulo in Albania (www.zbulo.org) or Zalaz in Montenegro (www.zalaz.me).

 

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Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

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Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

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PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

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The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

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December 2024

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May 2025

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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Started: 2018

Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo

Based: Dubai

Sector: Transport

Size: 9 employees

Investment: $1,275,000

Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri

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Updated: October 04, 2021, 7:38 AM