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Apart from publishing, are there other fields of business or personal endeavour that you are passionate about?I am passionate about development and I work on many projects in the UAE that foster development in the economic, cultural and social sectors. Through the “Sharjah Baby Friendly Emirate Campaign”, we aim to make all business and public spaces in Sharjah baby and mother friendly by the end of the year. Another project is the “Read to Syria’s Children” initiative, which aims to give hope to Syrian refugee children by giving them access to books and using the power of reading to help them build a better future for themselves.How was your visit to Bangkok as a member of the 30th International Publishers Association Congress?Visiting Thailand was wonderful. The country is beautiful and thehospitality of its people beyond compare. The organisers of the congress did an amazing job and I specially want to thank the governor of Bangkok, MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, and PUBAT for their support in making this event such a resounding success. Both the Bangkok Book Fair and the congress were world-class events that are a must on the calendar of anyone involved in the publishing sector.In your view, what sets the UAE apart, and what strengths make it unique among Arab countries?What has set the UAE apart from the very start is its commitment to investing in its own people. It is an ethos that was first instilled by the “Father of the Nation” and former president, the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, and which is being kept alive through the wise leadership of the country. Thanks to this forwardthinking approach, the people of the Emirates have grown with their country and continue to excel across every discipline.Another important element that continues to differentiate the UAE is its ability to balance the pursuit of progress, development and modernization with a deep respect for, and commitment to, preserving its heritage and identity. The Emirates has perfected the art of being a gracious host, welcoming people from all over the globe to become a part of its growing success, yet never loses sight of its own culture and values.In what ways would you like to see the UAE move forward or develop in the future?My hope is that the UAE will continue to take on a leadership role in the region and internationally. In a time where the Arab world has seen so much strife, the Emirates has emerged as a model for what an Islamic country dedicated to progress, development and tolerance can be. It is a country that reveres the arts, supports scientific and technological advancement and celebrates culture, and these are the true hallmarks of a maturing society.Could you recommend for our readers some interesting tourist attractions in the UAE?The UAE has a lot to offer visitors. Sharjah, for instance, is a wonderful destination for cultural exploration, with many world-class museums to peruse. It also has the greatest range in terms of biodiversity in the UAE, making it great for ecotourism. If you are visiting Abu Dhabi, I would recommend a desert safari to Liwa and of course the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – the largest mosque in the UAE and one of the largest in the world. And in Dubai there are the Spice Souq and Gold Souq markets and “At the Top” – the viewing plat-8 Elite+