Stockholm-based media-tech company Newstag has announced plans to launch a new experience specially designed for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) later this year. Newstag Arabic will be available in Arabic and will provide a stream of video news stories each day covering international and regional news, culture and entertainment.

Newstag Arabic will feature professionally produced news content from suppliers including the Associated Press, AFP and Euronews. Talks are also taking place with prominent news providers from the region. Newstag Arabic is being marketed on Facebook ahead of its launch.

Newstag is a new mobile first application that enables users to create and watch their own personalised video news channels consisting of news and causes they find relevant. Together, all the users create a crowd curated news experience.

Commenting on the launch, Newstag Co-founder, Camilla Dahlin-Andersson, said: “Newstag creates an environment for modern social engagement and offer a relevant, personal, news experience empowering an audience that takes news seriously and wants to make a difference.”

Co-founder and CEO, Henrik Eklund, added: “Currently 60% of existing Newstag users are based in the MENA region which is what prompted us to set up Newstag Arabic. 6% global population live in the Middle East and yet the region accounts for only 0.6% of the global advertising market. We believe there is potential for enormous growth in the coming years.”