|
Dubai's
Dragon Mart, the largest trading hub for products
from China outside the Chinese main land has
already attracted huge numbers of visitors
since opening its doors on December 7th 2004.
Developed by Nakheel at its International City
in the Al Warsan area of Dubai, the 1.2 km
long Dragon-shaped structure has attracted
residents from Dubai and neighbouring Emirates
who come to enjoy a unique shopping experience
while browsing a vast and varied selection
of Chinese products.
“
We have witnessed an overwhelming response
to Dragon Mart in the three weeks since it
opened. Chinese products, known world over
for their quality and value for money, are
bound to attract customers from all sections
of the community,” said Wahid Attalla,
Executive Director of Commercial and Operations,
Nakheel.
“
Another major factor draw-card, and one that
fascinates public, is the Mart’s distinctive
architecture, which is very rare in this part
of the world. Spread across 150,000 square
metres the Dragon Mart is the first component
of Nakheel’s International City project.
The success of this Mart will serve to boost
our efforts to provide the best facilities
in our upcoming projects at the International
City,” he said.
Dragon Mart includes showrooms, shopping
areas, restaurants and warehouses that house
4000
enterprises dealing in Chinese products.
The Mart is divided into several commercial
and
service areas, an office area and a business
centre. It also has negotiation rooms and
three conference rooms within the commercial
areas.
Adjoining the Dragon Mart will be a complex
of 25 residential buildings with a Chinese-theme,
located approximately 300 meters away from
the mart. The residential section will
comprise 1,868 quality apartments with
retail space
on the ground floor level, completing the
picture of an elegant mixed-use development.
The residential districts, commercial areas
and other tourist Attractions that will
form International City will be completed
at different
stages throughout 2005.
“
The popularity of Dragon Mart can only increase
over the coming months as more people learn
about the superior quality products and services
that the Chinese manufactures have to offer.
Dubai’s importance as a commercial and
tourist destination assures its growing market
for various innovative concepts like the ones
Nakheel has been developing. On completion,
the International City, will attract visitors
from all over the globe as it will offer world-class
amenities catering to a multi-cultural audience,” concluded
Attalla.
Dragon Mart, the largest trading hub for
products from China being developed outside
the Chinese
mainland, is taking its final shape at the
International City development of Nakheel,
in the Al Warsan area in Dubai.
promoted
by Nakheel and Chinamex Middle East Investment
and Trade Promotion Centre, is spread over
an area of 150,000 square meters in addition
to 30,000 square meters of warehouses. It will
host Chinese businesses or businesses associated
with products and services from China, including
joint venture companies and companies operating
from China through the Chinamex Middle East
Investment and Trade Promotion Centre.
Sultan Ahmad Bin Sulayem, Chairman, Nakheel,
said, 'The international market cannot ignore
the 'China Effect', where the products and
services from mainland China compete with
that of the other countries, price-wise
and quality-wise
on a global scale. The Dragon Mart is Nakheel's
acknowledgment of China's influence in international
trade and commerce and will create a space
for traders and entrepreneurs from the mainland
to offer their services to the lucrative
Middle East markets.'
The Mart is divided into several commercial
areas, which will host a wide variety of
Chinese products and commodities, including,
textile
and garments, food and groceries, household
and electric appliances, interior decoration,
home furnishing, arts and craft, chemical
products, sports and leisure accessories,
electronics
and lifestyle products. The development will
also host food courts with Chinese restaurants
and other tourism interests for visitors
to sample Chinese heritage and culture.
The work on the Dragon Mart is proceeding,
paving the way for the development to be
opened for business as early as the end
of 2004. The
epi-structure of the project is finished
with the work on the interiors being almost
complete.
A sculpture representing Chinamex logo designed
exclusively by Chinamex will form the centrepiece
of the fountain facing the main entrance
of the Mart. The interior of the Dragon
Mart body
will host vast exhibition spaces divided
into six zones, each of which is further
divided
into four exhibition areas. Between every
two consecutive show areas there is an
open space,
covered by a large tent around 17 meters
high, with a total of 11 tents spread across
the
entire structure to represent the spine of
the dragon. The body of the dragon measures
around 980 meters long and 110 metres wide
and around 6.4 metres high. The two-storeyed
Dragonhead measures around 220 metres in
length and 210 metres in width and 18 metres
in height
will have a full-fledged Chinese Garden on
the ground level.
'The Dragon Mart has demonstrated Nakheel's
ability to understand and dissect emerging
market and business trends, and to offer
the right infrastructure solutions for
business
activity and excellence,' said bin Sulayem.
'The Dragon Mart on completion will be the
centre of business activity in the Middle
East for Chinese businesses. The project
is also
a realisation of the longstanding relationship
between the Chinese government, the expatriate
Chinese community and the UAE.
|
