Al Attiyah Lauds Doha International Book Fair

Doha, December 22 (QNA) - The Doha International Book Fair has become an annual and "important" event in the Arab region, HE Chairman of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah said, pointing to the significant role played by the Fair in educating the public and reading lovers inside the State of Qatar as well as outside it. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of his visit today to 23rd Doha International Book Fair, HE Al Attiyah said that the exhibition offered a great opportunity for citizens and residents to take advantage of the latest intellectual production on display, expressing his admiration about the large participation of Arab and foreign publishing houses. He added that the printed book is facing significant challenges, the most important of which is "electronic book" which makes it hard for the traditional book to continue. He argued that the increased purchasing power noticed in Doha Fairs every year indicates the existence of a tendency to read and learn as well as proves that the electronic book will not replace the printed book. The Doha Book Fair, he said, is witnessing major developments in terms of turnout and the purchasing power and even at the level of participating publishers from various countries from around the world. The Doha International Book Fair is growing every year, Al Attiyah said, while comparing it to numerous international book fairs he had visited. "I've learned that many of the international publishing houses were willing to participate this year, but limited space available prevented their participation." (QNA)