Mobile phone manufacturers around the world seem to be in a competition to match the success of Apple’s App Store by creating their own virtual stores where users can download software and content.

LG Electronics is launching its own online store for mobile phone applications with an initial focus on Asia and aspirations for a more global reach by year-end, writes The Wall Street Journal.

According to a company statement, the “LG Application Store” would provide over 1,400 applications including 100 free programs available in 15 languages. In the fist steps of the service, the LG Application Store will be available in Asia-Pacific countries including Singapore, Malaysia and Australia and will come to Europe and South America by the end of the year. By then, more that 2,000 applications will be offered.

At the moment, LG did not announce any plans to launch LG Application Store in the United States.