The world’s largest online Arab community, Maktoob.com announced today that it has partnered with the world’s largest broadcasting organization, BBC, as part of a newly launched online news service for the Maktoob’s millions of Arab visitors.
Senior officials from Maktoob.com highlighted how this pioneering alliance with a global news giant is in step with the website’s dynamic growth strategy and its commitment to provide the highest quality Arabic content and services to its users. The recent spate of acquisitions and alliances demonstrate how the world’s largest online Arab portal has no intention of slowing down on its drive to increase its regional presence.
"Maktoob.com is pleased to partner with BBC which will help us in enriching our newly launched news section with the latest breaking news. This alliance, which combines the strengths of the BBC’s global network and Maktoob.com’s huge regional presence, will result in a first-rate news service for our readers," said Ahmed Nassef, General Manager of Maktoob.com.
Mohamed Yehia, Editor of BBCArabic.com stated: “The BBC is happy to be associated with Maktoob.com, as this partnership with one of the region’s top web portals will give us added exposure and reach in the Arab world..”
Founded in 2000 as the world’s first Arabic/English e-mail service, Maktoob.com has grown into a network that includes various companies and websites. With over 4 million registered users, Maktoob.com boasts an impressive portfolio of associates and partners.
Recently, the company received the prestigious "Directories & Info Services" award from the Pan Arab Web Award held in Amman, Jordan, for having become an unsurpassed source for cutting edge communication tools and the latest news and information.
Maktoob.com was founded in the year 2000 as the world’s first Arabic/English email service. In a few years, Maktoob has grown to become a full-service web portal, offering world-class communications and information tools that empower the Arab Internet user. More than just the best and most popular Arabic/English email service in the world, Maktoob.com offers everything from chat to discussion forums, from e-cards to mobile downloads, from news to the latest jokes and everything in between.
Maktoob's main mission is to maintain and grow its position as the world’s leading Arab Internet portal by constantly offering its users a unique experience and by providing them with new services and products that encourage open communications and community building.
For more information about Maktoob, please visit http://www.maktoobgroup.com/maktoob_en.html
About Maktoob Group:
Maktoob Group comprises a network of leading online media companies and websites. In addition to the Arab world’s leading portal, Maktoob.com, the Maktoob Group network includes, cashU (www.cashu.com) the electronic payment solution, Strategiy.com (www.strategiy.com) a leading business and marketing site, Souq.com (www.souq.com) auctions and marketplace, Bentelhalal (www.bentelhalal.com) the largest Arabic matrimonial site, ArabSport (www.arabsport.com) a leading Arab online sports community, Sport4ever (www.sport4ever.com) a popular Arabic sports site and AdabWaFan (www.adabwafan.com) the online store for Arabic Books and Music. In 2005, Abraaj Capital, a leading regional private equity firm, acquired a stake in Maktoob, giving the Maktoob Group the resources to enhance its market share and accelerate its growth plans.
For more information about the Group, please visit www.maktoobgroup.com
About BBC Arabic:
BBC Arabic is the leading international radio news service in Arabic, and bbcarabic.com is the leading Arabic online news site. BBC Arabic broadcasts 24 hours a day, every day, with news on the hour, every hour. BBC Arabic broadcasts to the whole Arab world on short wave and through digital audio channels on the principal satellites covering the Arab world. In most of the eastern Arab world, BBC broadcasts are heard on medium wave, and in key cities the BBC is available on FM. The award-winning site bbcarabic.com also carries a live audio feed of BBC Arabic radio. BBC Arabic is one of 33 language services broadcast by BBC World Service, the international radio and online broadcaster which has a global audience of 163 million listeners. Its international websites receive over 500 million page impressions a month
