Dubai's English-language daily Emirates Business 24/7 plans to shut down its print edition and convert to an electronic-only newspaper in mid-July, GulfNews.com reported.

Publications generally close or reduce the days in which their print product appears due to financial reasons; however, the order to shutter the print version completely and go online-only comes from orders issued by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, deputy ruler of Dubai and Board Chairman of Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI). Financial reasons were not given.

The only explanation for going online-only came from DMI Managing Director and Director General Ahmad Abdullah Al Shaikh, who only said that the move is meant to follow well-established Western media outlets that have adopted this model, according to a report by Emirates Business 24/7.

"This policy comes after the emergence of the internet to the lead of channels used by people to reach the news. And all future findings indicate the possibility that this will largely increase in our region over the coming years as e-papers have the ability to reach wide sections of readers all over the world, round the clock and throughout the week, which is an advantage missed by print papers," he said, according to the newspaper. "The launch of the new electronic newspaper will be a qualitative addition to the arena of digital media and it will present the local event to the world in a different perspective while at the same time present an interactive forum with readers and those concerned on the Internet ... The electronic copy of Emirates 24|7 will be a source of news wherever the reader was, and it will offer multiple interactive services, depending on various electronic programmes and updates, including SMS in English as well as techniques compatible with smart phone generations and famous social communication websites such as Facebook, Twitter and others."

The Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) acquired the newspapers, Emirates Business and its Arabic equivalent Al Emarat Al Youm from Al Maktoum in October last year, and later added Masar Printing and, Noor Dubai Radio and TV to its portfolio on transfer of ownership from the Arab Media Group (AMG), ArabianBusiness.com reported.

Also, a weekly programme titled "Emirates 24|7" will be aired on Dubai One, showcasing the bond formed between the e-paper, television picture and viewers while tackling general issues, the newspaper reported.