UAE: Arabic-language business daily to be launched in January

Posted by Lauren Drablier on November 19, 2008 at 10:23 AM

According to The National, the first ever Arabic-language business daily newspaper will be launched in January in the United Arab Emirates. The launch of the paper is part of I-Media, an integrated media project which will "include a financial news online portal in Arabic and English, a mobile news services and the first Arabic economic news radio channel."

Qusai Aljamous, the paper's executive editor in chief said the paper will be a 40-page broadsheet titled, Alroya Altiqtissadiya, which means Economy Vision in Arabic. The initial circulation will be 20,000, targeting business-savvy readers. In addition, the paper will be accompanied by a 16-page tabloid supplement focusing on real-estate, banking, the stock market, commodities, tourism and lifestyle.

According to Aljamous, "the newspaper will be more about analysis, rather than just conveying the news." He went on to state, "we aim to be the main source of financial news in the region. You know, Reuters [and] the other news wires, we are trying to be in the same class. But even the newswires don't have that much news about the Middle East. We have the opportunity, because we are people in this region. We know what is happening here and will convey it."

Following the launch of the portal and the newspaper will be the launch of a mobile service and radio station. It also plans on having a television studio in order enrich video content. Plans to distribute throughout the Middle East and North Africa have also been discussed.

Source: The National