Doha, May 17 (QNA) - Secretary-General of the Arab Publishers Association (APA), Bachar Chebaro, affirmed that the distribution crisis facing printed books in the Arab world remains the foremost challenge confronting the publishing industry.

He noted that the absence of major regional distribution companies has compelled publishers to rely heavily on book fairs as direct-to-reader sales platforms, a shift that has considerably weakened the bookstore market and adversely impacted sales momentum following the conclusion of these events.

Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on the margins of the 34th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF), Chebaro stressed that, notwithstanding the public crowds and record turnout from visitors, the key functions of fairs have not existed, since their fundamental purpose is not to sell items but rather to showcase new releases. He noted that the lack of unified Arab distribution tools has made fairs a key vehicle for selling.

Chebaro called on Arab publishers to adopt a joint publishing model across three primary regions, the Levant, the Maghreb, and the Gulf states, proposing a framework for cost-sharing and reduced print volumes, thereby mitigating storage challenges and curbing low returns.

Printing books as per request has become an existential solution given the challenges ahead, as every single reader can request a printed version and receive it via postal office or sales points in his or her country, Chebaro highlighted.

Chebaro stressed the importance of having unified online sites showcasing the mammoth content of books, with branches in the Arab nations, to make it easier for readers to access printed books without the need for conventional distribution.

The future of publishing is no longer the exclusive domain of the printed book, but rather hinges on content itself. It is very essential to treat the book as adaptable content, capable of being repurposed into multiple formats, whether print, digital, audio, interactive, or even reimagined as a theatrical production or a film, he underlined.

آ  Chebaro stated that it is pretty essential to have the rights to this content and preserve it to be further employed with more flexibility in the future. He highlighted that some books today are being published in abridged formats or tailored as interactive editions for children, a development that the Arab publisher must engage with intelligently and innovatively.

He noted the existing collaboration between the association and the Qatari Publishers and Distributors Forum, highlighting that there is an active Qatari representation on the association's board of directors, with the Vice-President of the Arab Publishers Association and Director of Dar Al Watad, Ibrahim Abdul Rahim Al Sayed, undertaking a critical role in this regard.

Commenting on the status of digital publishing in the Arab region, Chebaro outlined that the volume of digital sales barely reaches 10% of printed book sales even in the most favorable cases, emphasizing that digital publishing continues to be relatively underdeveloped globally, except for the US market.

Nonetheless, some Arab companies have embarked on marketing digital books and subscription-based reading platforms, a promising trend that warrants serious backing, particularly as it curtails the impact of digital piracy, which continues to erode publishers’ rights and revenues, Chebaro highlighted.

Chebaro underscored the importance of safeguarding authors' rights, noting that the Arab Publishers Association has prepared model contracts and advises emerging authors to seek counsel before signing. He stressed that transparency and synergy between publishers and authors remain vital to overcoming current challenges.

On publishing in conflict zones, he acknowledged formidable obstacles, particularly in Palestine, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and Lebanon, but affirmed continued efforts to provide both direct and indirect support, including waiving membership fees for the Palestinian Publishers Union and preparing an initiative to replenish Palestinian libraries with new Arab publications once the war subsides.

Chebaro acknowledged the growing use of AI in publishing, particularly in children’s books and image generation, but emphasized that Arabic content still requires rigorous editing. He recommended disclosure of AI use in text and visuals, noting that the legal framework remains under review by experts. (QNA)