DOHA: Construction work for the second phase of the neighbourhood markets commonly known as Furjan Market has begun, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announced yesterday.
New markets will have accommodations for the workers of shops that were not available in the existing one and a bigger entrance and exit for a smooth traffic flow, said Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB, yesterday addressing a press conference at its headquarters.
He said that the markets aims at providing basic services needed for day-today life to the people living at Doha suburbs and remote areas.
The shop spaces have increased and have added an extra floor to accommodate the workers at the shops, said Abdul Rahman Al Suwaidi, Director of Al Furjan Markets Project.
“We are dealing with 31 commercial activities related to all day-to-day needs of the neighbours including pharmacies, groceries, barbershops and laundries’ said Al Suwaidi. Regarding new business activity, he said that if any traders want to go beyond the existing activity list, he can send that particular activity.
Al Suwaidi said one accommodation per shop will be allocated under a contract. The rent of accommodation is under study and will disclosing it on proper time.
The second phase of the project is divided into two parts. In the the first part, Al Furjan Markets will see construction of six markets that will include 78 shops and are expected to be completed within 12 months. Furjan markets will be located as two markets in Muaither South (16 shops), one each in Jerian and Jenihat (21 shops), Umm Qarn (16 shops),Kharaitiyat(7 shops) and one in Umm Al khor (10 shops).
The second part includes 26 markets which are in the design stage, and the bank is in the process of finalising the construction permits and approvals of the markets, for which tender is expected to be released in the second quarter of 2018.
The proposed 26 markets will be located in: Umm Lekhba, Al Gharaffa, Izghawa, Bani Hajer, Luaib / Al Muhajirah, Al Aziziya, Muaither north, Bu Sidra, Ain Khalid (2 lands), Umm Al Saneem (3 lands), Al Sakhama, Saina Al-Humaidi, Al Thakhira, Madinat Al Kaaban, Madinat ash Shamal, Rawdat Rashed, Al Karaana, Al Wakra, Al Utouriya, Lkhreeb, Al ghwairyya, Al Rayyan Al Jadeed, Aba Al Hiran and Ain Sinan.
Al-Khalifa said, “ QDB had been studying the land allocated initially by the Ministry of Municipalities and Environment, and 32 land in different cities had been selected as the first step in the project’s second phase, which is distributed between the internal and external areas of the State Land, based on key criteria that demonstrates the feasibility of building markets to facilitate and cater to the daily needs of the residents of these areas”.
The tender for the implementation of six plots of land has been awarded and will be completed in the first quarter of 2019,” he added.
