The 53rd Cairo International Book Fair will start in the Egyptian capital on January 26 and close on February 7, the country’s culture minister said at a press conference on Monday.
Egypt's Identity – Culture & the Question of the Future is the theme of the much-anticipated literary festival attended by millions every year.
The fair usually takes place during the Egyptian school winter break so its target demographic, children and young adults, have time to attend, although last year it was postponed until June because of the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 1,000 publishers from more than 50 countries are expected to participate.
Every year, one country is chosen as the main guest, and its authors and famous works are singled out by the fair. Greece has been chosen this year.
Last year’s guest of honour was Spain and the country’s ambassador attended the opening.
This year, the fair will be launched by Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and will take place at Cairo’s largest exhibition hall, the 40,000-square-metre Egypt International Exhibition Centre.
Technology will be one of the main themes, said Culture Minister Ines Abdel Dayem, who also announced that the state-owned General Egyptian Book Organisation will this year, for the first time, offer electronic versions of some of the titles, including the 16-volume Encyclopaedia of Ancient Egypt by prominent Egyptologist Selim Hassan.
The fair is normally split in two, with one portion displaying books for adults and another featuring material for children.
Two prominent writers are chosen each year as the “personalities” of the fair, one for each section.
This year, Egyptian short story virtuoso Yahya Haqqi (1905-1992) is the adult edition’s honouree. Haqqi will be projected through hologram technology in one of the interactive exhibits, marking the first use of this kind of technology at the festival.
Meanwhile, Egyptian author Abdel Tawab Youssef will be the children’s personality and one of his short stories has been adapted into a film which will be shown using virtual reality.
In addition to a number of prizes awarded for various honours each year, the event will mark the launch of a new prize, one awarded to the best participating publisher.
The cash total of the festival’s prizes has been increased from EGP 10,000 ($636) to EGP 40,000.
Tickets to the fair are EGP 5 and must be booked online before the event for Covid-19 safety reasons.
More information is at cairobookfair.gebo.gov.eg
Watch a video from the 52nd Cairo International Book Fair:
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
'Champions'
Director: Manuel Calvo
Stars: Yassir Al Saggaf and Fatima Al Banawi
Rating: 2/5
Visa changes give families fresh hope
Foreign workers can sponsor family members based solely on their income
Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of Dh 4,000 or Dh 3,000 plus accommodation.
Attested original marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child, ejari or rental contract, labour contract, salary certificate must be submitted to the government authorised typing centre to complete the sponsorship process
In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any profession related to the medical sector and her monthly salary is at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.
In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in the above categories she can get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than Dh 10,000 and with a special permission from the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai.
To sponsor parents, a worker should earn Dh20,000 or Dh19,000 a month, plus a two-bedroom accommodation
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If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Crops that could be introduced to the UAE
1: Quinoa
2. Bathua
3. Amaranth
4. Pearl and finger millet
5. Sorghum
