The agreement was reached in Kuala Lumpur under the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority. It grants the authority sole rights to establish and manage BookXcess outlets throughout the Middle East, North Africa and additional African markets. The Sharjah Book Authority described the partnership as a strategic expansion that will bring affordable books to a wider readership in the regions.
BookXcess operates as a prominent discount bookstore chain in Malaysia with a model focused on making literature accessible at reduced prices. The memorandum builds upon the authority’s prior initiatives to strengthen cross-regional literary ties. According to the Emirates News Agency, the deal positions Sharjah as a hub for bookselling innovation in emerging markets.
This development continues Sharjah’s established pattern of international collaboration in the publishing sector. Publishers Weekly reported that the Sharjah Book Authority invested in the Big Bad Wolf book sale company in 2019, a step that facilitated its activities across the Middle East and Africa. The emirate also served as UNESCO World Book Capital in 2019, highlighting its longstanding focus on global reading promotion.
The Sharjah International Book Fair, organised annually by the authority, has grown into one of the Arab world’s largest literary gatherings with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Such events have supported rights deals and translation grants that connect publishers from diverse regions. The authority’s latest move with BookXcess aligns with efforts to address book affordability and distribution challenges in target markets.
Regional book retail has seen increased interest amid rising literacy rates and cultural exchange programs across the Gulf and Africa. The Central Bank of the UAE and similar bodies in the GCC have noted growth in consumer spending on education and leisure activities that include books. The partnership is expected to introduce the BookXcess format while fostering local publishing and retail opportunities in participating countries.
Further rollout details, including timelines for the first store openings, will be determined jointly by the Sharjah Book Authority and its Malaysian partner. The authority has indicated that initial focus will centre on the UAE before broader regional expansion. This agreement adds to Sharjah’s portfolio of cultural and commercial ventures aimed at enhancing knowledge access.
