Singapore Book Publishers Association at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025
Advancing Singapore’s Publishing Voice on the Global Stage
The Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 once again affirmed its position as the world’s most influential marketplace for publishing, rights, and literary exchange. Against this global backdrop, the Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA) marked a purposeful and confident presence, reinforcing Singapore’s standing as a dynamic, outward‑looking publishing hub in Asia.
For SBPA and its members, Frankfurt was not simply an annual industry fixture. It was a strategic platform — to build relationships, explore new markets, and showcase the depth and diversity of Singapore publishing to an international audience.
A Collective Presence with Global Intent
SBPA’s participation at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 reflected a clear intent: to amplify Singapore’s publishing ecosystem through collaboration, visibility, and international engagement. Representing a broad cross‑section of the industry, the Singapore delegation brought together publishers working across trade, education, academic, and children’s publishing, as well as titles spanning multiple languages.
Throughout the fair, the Singapore presence attracted steady interest from international publishers, agents, and distributors seeking fresh Asian voices, rights opportunities, and long‑term partnerships in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Rather than focusing on any single genre or market, SBPA’s approach highlighted the breadth and maturity of Singapore publishing — from commercially driven trade titles to culturally significant works, educational resources, and multilingual publications.
Rights, Relationships, and Regional Reach
At the heart of Frankfurt Book Fair lies rights trading, and this remained a key focus for SBPA members in 2025. The fair provided a concentrated environment for:
- Rights meetings with international publishers and agents
- Exploratory discussions on translation and co‑publishing
- Conversations around distribution and market entry into Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas
Advancing Singapore’s Publishing Voice on the Global Stage
The Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 once again affirmed its position as the world’s most influential marketplace for publishing, rights, and literary exchange. Against this global backdrop, the Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA) marked a purposeful and confident presence, reinforcing Singapore’s standing as a dynamic, outward‑looking publishing hub in Asia.
For SBPA and its members, Frankfurt was not simply an annual industry fixture. It was a strategic platform — to build relationships, explore new markets, and showcase the depth and diversity of Singapore publishing to an international audience.
A Collective Presence with Global Intent
SBPA’s participation at Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 reflected a clear intent: to amplify Singapore’s publishing ecosystem through collaboration, visibility, and international engagement. Representing a broad cross‑section of the industry, the Singapore delegation brought together publishers working across trade, education, academic, and children’s publishing, as well as titles spanning multiple languages.
Throughout the fair, the Singapore presence attracted steady interest from international publishers, agents, and distributors seeking fresh Asian voices, rights opportunities, and long‑term partnerships in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Rather than focusing on any single genre or market, SBPA’s approach highlighted the breadth and maturity of Singapore publishing — from commercially driven trade titles to culturally significant works, educational resources, and multilingual publications.
Rights, Relationships, and Regional Reach
At the heart of Frankfurt Book Fair lies rights trading, and this remained a key focus for SBPA members in 2025. The fair provided a concentrated environment for:
- Rights meetings with international publishers and agents
- Exploratory discussions on translation and co‑publishing
- Conversations around distribution and market entry into Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas
Support from the wider ecosystem — including government and cultural stakeholders — further strengthened this positioning, underscoring publishing’s role within Singapore’s creative economy and cultural diplomacy efforts.
Looking Ahead
As the global publishing industry continues to evolve, international platforms like the Frankfurt Book Fair remain essential. For SBPA and its members, Frankfurt Book Fair 2025 was both a milestone and a springboard — reaffirming existing relationships while opening doors to new possibilities.
The conversations started, the connections made, and the interest generated at Frankfurt will continue to shape collaboration in the months and years ahead. SBPA remains committed to supporting its members in navigating global markets and ensuring that Singapore’s publishing voice continues to be heard, read, and valued worldwide.
- Supporting a Local Books Ecosystem: Lessons from Around the World
On 15 January 2026, industry stakeholders gathered at the National Library, Programme Room 1, for an insightful afternoon dialogue titled “Supporting a Local Books Ecosystem: Lessons from Around the World.” The session brought together publishers, writers, policymakers, and literary professionals to examine the challenges and opportunities shaping Singapore’s publishing landscape, while drawing on international perspectives and best practices.
With Singapore’s local publishing sector being both dynamic and highly competitive, the programme addressed critical questions facing the industry today. The discussion emphasised the importance of understanding global trends, strengthening local capabilities, and fostering collaboration across the value chain to ensure long-term sustainability.
Key Themes and Discussions
The session opened with an overview of Singapore’s book ecosystem, examining its economic structure and the unique pressures faced by local publishers. Speakers highlighted the need for deeper market awareness, stronger domestic demand, and clearer pathways for Singapore content to reach regional and international audiences.
Another key focus was global copyright developments and the impact of artificial intelligence. Drawing from international experiences, the speakers explored how copyright frameworks are evolving, the growing importance of rights awareness, and the implications of AI for content creation, licensing, and enforcement. These discussions underscored the urgency for publishers to stay informed and proactive in navigating technological change.
Participants also benefited from insights into the Asia-Pacific publishing industry, supported by research and data from regional studies. This broader perspective allowed attendees to contextualise Singapore’s position within a fast-growing yet highly diverse publishing environment, offering lessons on scalability, cross-border collaboration, and innovation.
Learning from Regional Experiences
A highlight of the programme was the sharing of Malaysia’s experience with book vouchers, illustrating how targeted cultural policies can stimulate reading, support local publishers, and engage communities more effectively. The case study sparked meaningful discussion on how similar initiatives could be adapted or localised to strengthen reading culture and industry resilience in Singapore.
The session also reinforced the importance of licensing as a pillar of a healthy book ecosystem. Speakers discussed collective licensing models, rights management, and how coordinated approaches can benefit creators, publishers, and users alike. These insights were particularly relevant as publishers increasingly look beyond traditional print models to diversify revenue streams.
Distinguished Speakers
The programme featured an experienced panel of industry leaders and practitioners:
Peter Schoppert, Singapore Book Publishers Association (SBPA)
Antti Haussi, International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO)
Adibah Binti Omar, Kota Buku
Andrew Fong, Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS)
Their diverse perspectives enriched the discussion, offering both strategic and practical takeaways for participants.
Strengthening Collaboration
The event was co-organised by CLASS and the Singapore Book Council, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing the literary and publishing ecosystem. Through open dialogue and knowledge-sharing, the session reinforced the value of partnerships between industry bodies, cultural organisations, and publishers.
Looking Ahead
“Supporting a Local Books Ecosystem: Lessons from Around the World” served as a timely reminder that a resilient publishing industry requires continuous learning, policy engagement, and collective effort. By drawing on global insights while addressing local realities, Singapore’s publishing community can better position itself for sustainable growth in an increasingly interconnected world.