Alabbar plans messaging app for Middle East

Billionaire Mohamed Alabbar plans a phone messaging service for the Middle East that aims to compete with services such as WhatsApp, Reuters reported.
Alabbar, who made his fortune as the chairman of Emaar Properties, has been moving into other areas, in particular technology.
Asked on the sidelines of a conference in Dubai if he was considering launching a messaging app akin to WhatsApp, Alabbar replied:
“Yes, soon,” adding “it’s regional” when asked if the service would be designed for an Arabic-speaking audience.
Alabbar was behind the investment firms which in July bought out logistics firm Aramex.