The growing interest of Qatar residents in reading is evident from a remarkable rise in the number of participants at this year's Doha International Book Fair which opened at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre on Wednesday.
Apart from a large number of publishers from the region, their counterparts from outside and some of the local embassies are among those having pavilions at the 11-day event which concludes on December 10.
Speaking at the inauguration, HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali said the exhibition reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to bring to the country events and programmes that would continuously contribute to the cultural and educational enhancement of the residents in line with the goals and objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Describing the fair as an indication of the country's continuous commitment for organising such events, the minister recalled that Qatar is also holding similar events that would uphold its centuries-old cultural heritage and values as part of the Qatar National Day celebrations.
The fair, he said, has seen a remarkable rise in the number of participants this year and this growth reflects the trust of publishers in the local market.
According to the officials, this year's show has attracted close to 490 publishers, besides many local institutions and entities like Katara and ministerial affiliates.
A pavilion set up by the Ministry of Culture has a special Majlis dedicated to the Qatari authors.
Al-Ali also said he and other senior officials would meet local and regional authors and others including media personalities during the fair.
Besides Al-Ali, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari, HE the Minister of Administrative Development Labour and Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi and HE the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics HE Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit were also present.
After the inauguration, the ministers toured the venue and visited a number of pavilions.
Speaking at the inauguration, HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali said the exhibition reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to bring to the country events and programmes that would continuously contribute to the cultural and educational enhancement of the residents in line with the goals and objectives of the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Describing the fair as an indication of the country's continuous commitment for organising such events, the minister recalled that Qatar is also holding similar events that would uphold its centuries-old cultural heritage and values as part of the Qatar National Day celebrations.
The fair, he said, has seen a remarkable rise in the number of participants this year and this growth reflects the trust of publishers in the local market.
According to the officials, this year's show has attracted close to 490 publishers, besides many local institutions and entities like Katara and ministerial affiliates.
A pavilion set up by the Ministry of Culture has a special Majlis dedicated to the Qatari authors.
Al-Ali also said he and other senior officials would meet local and regional authors and others including media personalities during the fair.
Besides Al-Ali, HE the Minister of Transport and Communications Jassim Seif Ahmed al-Sulaiti, HE the Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari, HE the Minister of Administrative Development Labour and Social Affairs Dr Issa Saad al-Jafali al-Nuaimi and HE the Minister of Development Planning and Statistics HE Dr Saleh Mohamed Salem al-Nabit were also present.
After the inauguration, the ministers toured the venue and visited a number of pavilions.
