Year 2013 will see that 1o book publishers (plus 1 illustrator) from Malaysia will be participating at Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF), Germany.

The Frankfurt Book Fair is considered to be the most important book fair in the world for international deals and trading. It is also the world’s largest trade fair for books, based on the number of publishing companies represented, as well as the number of visitors.

Realising the potential of FBF in helping Malaysian publishers expand further, MBKM has made this event as an annual tradition. This year, MBKM will be having various programs to bridge local and international publishers which will include Business Breakfast, Bridging Malaysia and Germany, Bridging Malaysia and USA, Bridging Malaysia and Canada and Digital Forum: Digital Publishing – It’s all about Content.

Malaysia Pavilion last year.

Publishers that will be exhibiting at FBF this year are:

1. Institut Terjemahan dan Buku Malaysia (ITBM)
2. Majlis Penerbitan Ilmiah Malaysia (MAPIM)
3. Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka (DBP)
4. Yusof Gajah Lingard Literary Agency
5. Kumpulan Media Karangkraf
6. Kualiti Books Sdn. BHd.
7. Saba Islamic Media Sdn. Bhd.
8. PTS Media Group Sdn. Bhd.
9. Odonata Publishing Sdn. Bhd.
10. Impiana Publishing
11. emilayusof.com (me! The only illustrator that will be taking a stand at Malaysia Pavilion)

There’s no limitation to only book publisher, so I thought I try to promote my illustrations on international level as well as be the first illustrator to co-exhibit with MBKM. I hope other illustrators will follow suit.

About MBKM: MBKM was established by the Ministry of Education in 1968 based on UNESCO’s recommendatory that proposed all developing nations have a special body responsible for the inculcation of interest in reading and be the driving force behind the development of the book industry. Initially called the National Book Development Council, MBKM’s role was to be both a professional body and book advisory at the national level.

Members of the Council consist of representatives from several ministries and government agencies, industrial organisations and non-governmental organisations that are involved with the industry and book development, as well as three individuals with skills to contribute towards the roles and functions of MBKM. The National Book Policy (NBP) is a policy created by MBKM as a guide to expand its activities within the fields of books and reading in this country.

MBKM Secretariat now operates as one of the departments under the Education Policy and Development Sector, Ministry of Education, Malaysia – headed by a Director. This department manages MBKM’s administration and regulates all cooperative programmes among government sectors, non-government organisations and private sectors in this country in relation to the development of the book industry and the inculcation of a reading culture.

Additionally, MBKM also promotes Malaysian books with local publishers and industry players at an international level through Malaysia’s participation in overseas book fairs.

(*Credit info about MBKM: MBKM website)