After a successful showing in France, Germany, and Italy early this year, the Philippine book industry has now set its sights on the Middle Eastern book market as it joins the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF) once again.

Led by the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and now in partnership with the Book Development Association of the Philippines, the Philippines will be exhibiting its books from April 26 to May 5, 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Halls 6 to 12.

Led by NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade, the Philippine delegation for the ADIBF is composed of HE Alfonso Ferdinand A. Ver, Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, publishers Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores (Milflores Publishing), Ken Ortiz (Anvíl Publishing), Jhorie Arciga (University of the Philippines Press), Gwenn Galvez (REX Education), Mary Ann Ordinario (ABC Educational Development Center), Cindy Wong (8Letters Bookstore and Publishing), Ruth Ann Octaviano (Central Books), and Jerico Silvers (J. Silvers Publishing).

With each of the publisher-delegates representing their respective publishing houses, the Philippine books that will be exhibited at the ADIBF will cover a diverse range of genres, from literary fiction to children’s books, to graphic novels and academic titles.

Besides exhibiting its vast collection of titles, the Philippines will also be hosting a reception on April 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM in its stand located at Hall 8, B17.

Since its inception in 1981, the ADIBF has been a premier platform for publishers worldwide and is widely considered the biggest and most prestigious international book fair in the UAE, with a focus on fostering cultural exchange within and outside the region.

“We are joining one of the most important global conversations on books because we have a lot to offer to this part of the world. While we’re a relatively young book market, we are also one of the most exciting and fastest growing in Southeast Asia: our comics and graphic novels scene is helmed by young, progressive voices; our children’s books are visually stunning and have much to say about the world,” said NBDB Executive Director Charisse Aquino-Tugade.

Expanding the international market for Philippine-authored books

The Philippines’ participation in the ADIBF and other prestigious international fairs follows its selection as the Guest of Honour at this year’s Frankfurter Buchmesse, the world’s oldest and largest book fair. As Guest of Honour, the Philippines will be at the center of the world’s largest stage for books, creating more translation opportunities and positioning the Philippines as one of Southeast Asia’s major content capitals.

“With our publisher-focused delegation in Abu Dhabi, we are sure to hit our targets and open up more translation and rights selling opportunities for our book industry—which will then get our books to more readers around the world,” explained Aquino-Tugade.

Having seen much growth in the past five years, the Philippine book sector is eager to continue such growth in part through more opportunities for translation and rights selling, bringing its publishers and books to major cultural trading hubs. To support this effort, the NBDB offers a translation subsidy program to foreign publishers, designed to introduce more Filipino books to international markets.

Publishers who wish to apply must have bought translation rights to a published book from a Philippine publisher. Foreign publishers may be micro, small, medium, and large enterprises/business entities duly-registered outside of the Philippines and are legally engaged in an economic activity. To apply, foreign publishers may visit: https://bit.ly/translationPH.