In an effort to organise shops, stores, and various services in one place, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce launched an innovative commercial concept called, 'Al Furjan Markets' in 2013. The project aims to eliminate traffic congestion in Doha by bringing important businesses like grocery stores, laundry, bakeries, banking options, services, pharmacies, and other important outlets in specific places across the country.
The Al Furjan Markets are also geared towards making the lives of people living far from the city easier and convenient. These Markets with various shops and stores are built on different plots owned by the Government to provide ease of access to people living in areas where major supermarkets and various amenities are far. With this innovative idea, people from faraway neighbourhoods need not go to the central city to access important services making it convenient for them to do everything in their area because these markets take care of the needs of the residents of that particular area reducing transportation costs and ease the traffic pressure on key areas.
The Markets can also be found in various localities within Qatar as well, so that the residents in those particular areas don't have to venture far to the malls or supermarket chains for basic items and amenities like tailors, bakeries, salons, etc.
The project will, later on, also include taxi stops, waiting areas, post offices, and ATMs.
This project is the result of a collaboration between the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP), Qatar Development Bank (QDB), Qatar Chamber and the Central Bank (QCB).
The Furjan Markets project is being constructed in phases: Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Here is Phase 1 of the places where MMUP assigned 44 Al Furjan Markets complexes to operate:
The total capacity of the entire project for Phase 1 is around 645 shops. During the designing and construction processes of Al Furjan Markets complexes, traditional architectural elements of Qatar were taken into consideration, so that a distinctive reflection of Qatar's culture could be integrated within the architecture to make the Markets more special and so they stand above the rest.
Ideally, all of the following shops and services should be included in every Al Furjan Markets complex:
Last year, the construction works on Phase II of the Al Furjan Markets project started with the QDB facilitating the project. These include 32 markets built in the remote corners of the country. Of these 32, six markets are complete or near completion and between them house 78 shops. Two markets are located in Muaither South (16 shops), one each in Jerian Jenihat (21 shops), Umm Qarn (16 shops), Kharaitiyat (7 shops) and Al Khor (10 shops).
The rest of the 26 markets are proposed to 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. These are expected to be finished by the end of 2019. The 16 additional land plots, on the other hand, are scheduled to be completed by the first half of 2020.
In a news published in 2014, it indicates that Phases 1 of Al Furjan Markets were all completed during the first year with the construction of more than 40 complexes totaling to 298 shops. The final stages of the project were finished by 2014 with an additional 290 commercial units built. In Phase 2, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year; 290 more commercial units will become available, for a total of 600 stores.
The Al Furjan markets can only be managed by Qataris and are not open to everyone. QDB encourages locals to open and apply for this opportunity to earn money, ease traffic congestion, reduce the cost of transportation, provide residents of nearby areas easy access to everyday amenities like supermarkets, barber shops, ladies salons, bakeries, tailors, etc. and help the economy as well. The starting rent for space is QR 6,000 with a 5x12sq m space area to build on their business. These initiatives are given to support shop owners by giving them affordable rents, providing bigger shops to do their business and a decent place for their employees.
Interested entrepreneurs can download the Al Furjan app (Google Play or App Store) on their mobile devices and apply directly to get a slot. Click here for more details.
The Al Furjan mobile application does not require any administrative or financial requirement. It provides applicants the opportunity to clearly browse and select among a list of many vacant shops according to the required commercial activities, and identify their locations through a map link in the application as well as apply to those vacant shops as per area and activity criteria.
The Al Furjan Markets project is considered one of Qatar’s most 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 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. What do you think about it? For your comments and suggestions, please write down below. Also please like and share, it keeps us going!
Source: Doha News, Qatar Tribune
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