Onshur selects 13 publishing houses from 62 applicants for its 2025 ‘Scale’ track

The Sharjah Publishing Sustainability Fund (Onshur) has announced the participants for its 2025 ‘Scale’ track.

Thirteen publishing houses were selected from 62 applicants who met the programme’s rigorous criteria, including a proven track record in publishing diverse and culturally impactful works and a clear commitment to expanding their operations through sustainable growth strategies.

The selected publishers will start a 4-week intensive programme starting in May.

The Scale track cohort reflects notable diversity, with women making up 60% of participants and men 40%. 54% are 30–39, 33% are 40–49, and another 13% are 50 or older. Emiratis form the largest group at 40%, followed by 13% each from Egypt and Syria. The remaining participants come from Australia at 6%, Eritrea, Jordan, Canada and Lebanon, each representing 7% of the total.

Publishers taking part in the Scale track include: Ajyal, Sidra Publishing and Distribution, Kalaman for Distribution and Publishing, Ghaf Publications, Nabati Publishing, Dar Al Bayan Al Arabi, Dar Al Furat Publishing, Dar Al Fikr Al Jadeed, Shams Publishing, The Dream Work Collective, Shaheen Printing, Publishing and Distribution, Loaloa Publishing and Distribution, and Al Noor Publishing.

Practical tools

The upcoming track offers participants an interactive learning journey to equip them with practical tools and effective strategies for scaling up their local and international operations. The curriculum covers specialised training sessions focused on business model development, digital marketing strategies, data management, and the use of modern technologies to enhance reader reach. The programme also includes networking opportunities with senior international publishers and experts, helping participants strengthen their presence in global markets and build strong publishing brands.

Evaluation committee

The evaluation committee featured a distinguished group of cultural and publishing leaders, including Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority; Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers Association; Abdul Razzaq Al Sharif, Director of Business Development at Kalimat Group; Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA; Tamer Saeed, Director of the Sharjah Literary Agency; Khawla Al Mujaini, Director of Events at SBA; Fadel Hussein Bussaim, Director of the SBA in Sharjah's eastern region; Mariam AlQassab, Director of SBA’s CEO Office; and Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publisher Services at SBA.

Advanced tools to understand market trends

Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, said: “His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, firmly believes in the role of knowledge and books in human development and sustainable progress. In line with this vision, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi emphasises that success in today’s rapidly evolving publishing world requires more than good content. Publishers must have advanced tools to understand market trends, effective distribution strategies, and modern marketing techniques. The Scale programme, therefore, is rooted in practical experience and direct engagement with industry experts, ensuring that publishers can achieve sustainable growth and access new markets.”

Empowering publishers

Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of Emirates Publishers Association stated that the Scale track represents a strategic milestone that enables publishers to turn their aspirations into tangible growth plans and equips them with practical tools to build a thriving future in the publishing industry.

He said: “At the Emirates Publishers Association, we believe that empowering local and Arab publishers through such high-impact initiatives is a direct investment in the future of knowledge and culture in our region. Supporting publishers on their growth journeys not only advances their individual businesses but also contributes to building a competitive publishing ecosystem across the UAE and the Arab world.

"We remain committed to working with our partners to create sustainable opportunities that open new horizons for publishers — reinforcing the UAE’s position as a leading regional and global publishing hub.”

Iman Ben Chaibah, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Global Markets at SBA, said: “The Scale track’s training sessions focus on empowering publishers and supporting their growth, through specialised modules on B2B, international translation rights management, financial management, publishing and business model development, effective distribution and inventory management, and leveraging digital publishing technologies. The aim is to familiarise publishers with global best practices, enhancing their readiness to compete in international markets.”

The Scale track builds on the success of the Launch track, which saw 20 publishers graduate from a pool of 140 candidates. Participants received specialised training and financial grants contributing to tangible business growth within the publishing sector.