In an incredible move that reshapes the regional literary landscape, Sharjah has officially secured the exclusive rights to operate the innovative BookXcess bookstore chain across the Middle East and Africa. This monumental agreement drastically expands the emirate’s global footprint in the publishing sector, bringing affordable books and vibrant cultural destinations to millions of readers throughout the Middle East and Africa.
By assuming responsibility for developing, operating, and managing this highly successful retail concept, the emirate continues to cement its legacy as a leading global center for knowledge, reading, and cultural enrichment.
A Historic Agreement Signed in Malaysia
The landmark announcement took place during a high-profile visit by a Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) delegation to the BookXcess headquarters at Sunway in Malaysia. The delegation was led by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the SBA. During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed between BookXcess Malaysia and Big Bad Wolf Sharjah, a prominent subsidiary of the SBA.
Sheikha Bodour personally toured the Malaysian flagship store, observing firsthand how the brand successfully redefines the traditional bookshop. Instead of standard retail layouts, the brand blends striking architecture, interactive community spaces, and massive book inventories into a truly contemporary reading experience that captivates audiences.
The official signing ceremony was witnessed by Her Highness, with the MoU executed by His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, and Andrew Yap, the visionary Founder of Big Bad Wolf Books and BookXcess Malaysia.
Expanding Access Across New Frontiers
Under the newly established framework, Big Bad Wolf Sharjah will spearhead the end-to-end development, management, marketing, and day-to-day operations of all future BookXcess branches across the Middle East and Africa.
This operational expansion strongly aligns with the core philosophy of the Malaysian bookstore chain, which was originally founded to make literature radically accessible by offering millions of brand-new titles at deeply discounted prices. Having already launched the globally recognized Big Bad Wolf Books travelling sale in 2009—which now spans multiple continents—this new fixed-retail partnership takes that noble mission of affordability to a permanent, institutional level across the Arab world and the African continent.
Leadership Voices on the Cultural Vision
The strategic alignment between these two publishing powerhouses reflects a deep, shared commitment to promoting global literacy. Emphasizing the overarching vision behind the partnership, H.E. Ahmed Al Ameri stated:
“This new partnership marks another milestone in the cultural project led by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. It further strengthens the emirate’s status as a global centre for books, knowledge and publishing, while reflecting the confidence that leading international publishing and cultural organisations place in Sharjah as a partner capable of growing global initiatives and expanding their impact.”
He further outlined the roadmap for the ambitious venture, adding:
“Under the leadership of Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, we will build on the international success of BookXcess and Big Bad Wolf Books by expanding their reach across the Middle East and Africa, forging new strategic partnerships and creating greater opportunities for publishers to connect with millions of readers.”
The enthusiasm for this cross-border collaboration was equally matched by the Malaysian founders. Highlighting why the UAE’s cultural capital was the perfect anchor for this massive expansion, Andrew Yap explained:
“We are honoured to partner with SBA to bring the BookXcess experience to the Middle East and Africa. Sharjah has earned its reputation as a global cultural capital through its unwavering commitment to books, knowledge, and learning, making it the ideal home for this partnership.”
He elaborated on the brand’s highly engaging, unique ethos, stating:
“At BookXcess, we believe bookstores should be more than retail spaces. They should be cultural destinations that inspire discovery, bring communities together, and foster a lifelong love of reading. Alongside SBA, we look forward to creating a world-class destination that complements the House of Wisdom and contributes to Sharjah’s vision of expanding access to knowledge and culture for generations to come.”
By empowering communities through accessible literature, this incredible partnership between the SBA and BookXcess guarantees that the joy of reading will flourish robustly across the Middle East and Africa for generations to come.
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