Doha – Following the huge success of the first phase of the Al Furjan Markets, Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announced the beginning of construction works for phase two of the neighborhood markets, during a press conference held today, at the bank’s headquarters. The press conference was attended by Mr. Abdul Rahman al Suwaidi, Director of Al Furjan Markets Project, and Mr. Yousef Al Ghazal, Director of Engineering and Project Management, and media representatives.

The Al Furjan Markets project is a unique initiative launched in collaboration with a number of the government sectors, in cooperation with QDB, which is handling all construction and administrate work for the project. The initiative is considered one of Qatar’s strategic projects, and is intended to support the commercial sector in the country, as part of the development of a sustainable economy in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 to create a diverse permanent economic environment.

The first step in the second phase of Al Furjan Markets will see construction of six markets that will include 78 shops and are expected to be completed within 12 months. The markets will be located in the following areas: Two in Muaither south (16 shops), one each in Jerian Jenihat (21 shops), Umm Qarn (16 shops),Kharaitiyat(7 shops) and one in Umm Al khor (10 shops).

The second step in the second phase of the project includes 26 markets which are in the design stage, and the bank is in the process of finalizing the construction permits and approvals of the markets, for which implementation 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.

Commenting on this occasion, Mr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive Officer of Qatar Development Bank, said:

“The beginning of construction works for the phase two of Al Furjan Markets will further benefit citizens and will support the growth and competitiveness of the business sector in the state. It comes as a fruit of cooperation between the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, the project's engineering office and QDB.  This initiative is a basic solution to the provision of basic needs for goods and services that are used on almost daily basis by individuals and families.”

“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. The tender for the rest of the lands will be awarded by the second quarter of this year,” he added.

Al Furjan Markets project consists of trading markets built on different plots owned by ​​the government, in diverse residential areas. The objective of building these markets is to create a sustainable economic environment for the residents, through providing them with their everyday needs. This will reduce transportation costs and ease the traffic pressure on city center access and exit points.

Furjan Markets is considered to be one of the leading strategic projects that are targeting the consolidation of the private sector, participating in pushing economic growth forward in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030 to create a diverse permanent economic environment.

The motivation behind this project is the forecasted increase in population within the city of Doha and its surroundings. The retail mix has been devised to cater to the most important needs.

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For more information, please contact:
Abdallah Mallo
Senior Account Manager – Grey Doha
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Email: Abdallah.mallo@grey.com

© Press Release 2018