The shops that remained inoperative at the Neighbourhood (Al Furjan) Markets have been reallocated to other new contractors.
Issa al-Kuwari, director of support operations at Qatar Development Bank (QDB), told the Central Municipal Council (CMC) yesterday that the second phase of Al Furjan markets is in the stage of design and obtaining necessary approvals from the entities concerned.
“QDB received 30 plots of land from the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) at various areas in the country for the project,” he explained.
The official pointed out that QDB is planning to open a total of 200 markets of Al Furjan, while stressing that the bank undertakes detailed studies about the real needs of the potential areas to avoid any surplus in the number of shops. Besides, an agreement has been maintained with all local banks to provide such markets with ATM machines.
When the first phase of the project was accomplished by the end of 2014, a total of 44 markets were built at various areas, including 645 different shops.
The second phase is set to target Al Rayyan, Al Daayan, Al Khor and Al Zakhira and Al Shahaniya. It will take into consideration all the suggestions and shortcomings observed in the first phase though a full assessment of the project will take much longer time up to five years of operations.
The council hosted a number of QDB officials at its bi-weekly regular session yesterday to discuss the issue.