Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing official launch held at Windsor Castle

Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing (BQFP) held its official launch event at an afternoon reception hosted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle. Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and other UK and Qatari dignitaries were among the distinguished guest list.
The event was held at the invitation of Her Majesty the Queen to mark one of several groundbreaking announcements between Qatar Foundation and British entities.

At the reception, Her Highness was met by Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. Together they visited a private collection in the Royal Library. On display at the reception was a Holy Qur'an from the 15th century as well as a collection of Arabic manuscripts, and books which were published by Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing. Also at the reception, Her Highness met with Qatari students who are studying in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Sheikha bint Abdulla Al Missned, President of Qatar University, addressed the guests: "The launch of Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing marks a far-reaching cultural partnership between Britain and Qatar, which strengthens the already close bi-lateral relationship between the two countries. It also reflects Qatar Foundation's commitment to progressive education and community welfare in Qatar, advocacy of closer relations between Islamic countries and the West, and Qatar's aim to build a knowledge-based society."

Her Highness and her delegation attended the reception with senior officials of Qatar Foundation, members of the House of Lords and invited guests of English society.

Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, fully owned by Qatar Foundation and managed by the UK's leading independent publisher Bloomsbury Publishing, is Qatar's first international publishing house. Its three aims are to publish books of quality and originality in Arabic and in English; to promote the love of reading and writing, and to help establish a vibrant literary culture in Qatar; and to establish publishing knowhow and skills in Qatar.

The venture will seek to identify and publish the next generation of great Arabic authors. BQFP will sell and distribute their books in Qatar, the Middle East and, through the Bloomsbury sales and marketing network, around the world. Publications will range from novels and non-fiction for adults and children through information and reference works to academic and educational titles.