Abu Dhabi: A 10-year plan focusing on the future of reading in the UAE has been launched today in the capital during the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF).
As part of the National Policy for Reading 2016-2026, the UAE Cabinet will announce a "reading law" by the end of the year through which the roles and responsibilities of different entities will be identified.
Additionally, new parents will receive an educational welcome kit to educate them on child rearing and to prove them with appropriate material for their youngsters to read.
The Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development has also announced that it plans to work with strategic partners to raise the number of books published from the UAE from 400 to 4000 a year.
As of this year and until 2026, a month of reading will be identified. Public libraries will also open branches at shopping centres as these locations see higher traffic than others.
Policies regarding publishing in the UAE will also be revised to make the process simpler and more cost effective for those interested.
