Foundation signs deal to translate bestsellers

Dubai: The Mohammad Bin Rashid Foundation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi Arabian publishers and booksellers Al Obekan to translate and publish a collection of bestsellers with a special focus on management development titles.

The first phase of the project will be completed by the end of April. The MoU was signed in Dubai by Yasser Hareb, Vice-President for Culture, Mohammad Bin Rashid Foundation and Mohammad Abdul Rahman Al Obeikan, Chief Executive of Al Obeikan Publishers and Booksellers.

In line with the Foundation's strategy to partner with leading regional publishers to revive the translation industry in the Arab world, the agreement comes as part of its Tarjem programme that seeks to translate 365 books annually, targeting a total of 1,000 books in three years.

Fifty per cent of the works to be translated in 2008 under the Tarjem programme will include topics on management development and corporate excellence.

Al Obeikan praised the Foundation's efforts to pioneer a positive change in the region.

Underlining the extensive industry expertise of Al Obeikan Publishers, Yasser Hareb applauded the Saudi publisher's role in driving intellectual output across the region.