LBF head of international development Emma House, said: "We are excited at the prospect of being able to focus on two such rich and diverse publishing industries."

In addition, the British Council will reprise its partnership with LBF for the next two years, following the success of the Arab World market focus at the 2008 show.

Susanna Nicklin, director of literature at the British Council, said: "Although our cultural relations with India and South Africa are well established, we are excited by this opportunity to work with outstanding contemporary writers from both these countries."

Other partners for the India 2009 programme include Capexil, a non-profit organisation designed to promote Indian exports, and the Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP).

A spokesperson for Capexil said: "The participation of Indian publishers in the Market Focus programme will not only generate better exports, it should also pave the way for productive business relationships between Indian publishers, distributors and exporters with their foreign counterparts."

Meanwhile, the Publishers Association of South Africa (PASA) has been announced as the market focus partner for 2010.

PASA executive director Dudley Schroeder said: "Within the South African book chain, there has been great excitement generated amongst librarians, booksellers, distributors and other role players who have indicated their interest and support."

The Market Focus programme, which is now in its sixth year, was first created for LBF 2004, where eastern European countries were highlighted. Since then, Australia and New Zealand, Mexico, Spain, and the Arab World have all been featured.