WiFi, walkway, car park at Sharjah's new fruits & veg market

Sharjah - Sharjah Ruler opens two-floor Souq Al Jubail that sells only fruits, veggies and fish.

His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, on Friday inaugurated Souq Al Jubail, a vegetable, fruit, and fish market, valued at Dh195 million.
The new market - that aims to be an integrated marketing destination to meet the demands of Emirati citizens and residents for essential goods at competitive prices - comprises two floors extending over an area of 37,000 square metres. The first floor includes three sections one designated for selling fresh vegetables and fruits, the second one for meat, and the third one is for fish.
The area designated for selling fish includes a section fully equipped with modern tools and gear for cleaning and cutting fish to ensure the highest standards of public health safety, in addition to the outdoor section of the market where the fish is transported directly from boats to the shops.
Dr Shaikh Sultan inspected the market's various facilities and modern equipment, including 91 fish shops equipped with flat-back and vertical freezer refrigerators, and electronic measuring scales linked with the central accounting system, which allows to identify the quantity and price directly. Dr Shaikh Sultan also visited the area designated for conducting fish auctions.
The Sharjah Ruler then visited the meat section that includes 76 meat shops, and the vegetable and fruit section consisting of 212 shops, while the upper floor of the market includes the offices of the market's administration and the Sharjah Cooperative Society for Fishermen.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ali Al Suwaidi, Director-General of Al Jubair Souq, said that the construction of the new market comes in line with the directives the Ruler of Sharjah, and is in keeping with the development plans of the Sharjah government in launching many projects to develop the economic and service sectors in the emirate, including the retail sector. Such projects seek to strengthen Sharjah's position as an important regional hub for retail trade, due to the numerous services and benefits it provides through central markets and modern shopping centres.
He added that the Sharjah Assessment Management, the investment arm of the Sharjah government, provides traders in the market with fresh fish on a daily basis in order to support traders, while ensuring the provision of high quality fish to consumers at competitive prices.
Health inspections are conducted to ensure the compliance of fish and meat with the highest health standards through cooperation between the Sharjah Assessment Management and the Sharjah Department of Public Health.
Four main entrances
Strategically located at the heart of Sharjah city, the market has four main entrances, two of which directly overlook the creek, while the other two entrances are on the main street next to a bus station, offering easy access to people from all parts of Sharjah.
Designed and built according to Islamic architecture, which matches the architecture of the government buildings located opposite to it, the souq provides a panoramic view that reflects the emirate's distinct Arabic and Islamic identity.
The market comprises a parking lot that can accommodate 370 cars. It also provides Wi-Fi service and is equippped with surveillance cameras around the clock. 800 trolleys are available for consumers at the market, which features an indoor walkway overlooking the market's yard and the creek, offering customers a pleasant shopping experience with their families.
Waleed Ibrahim Al Sayegh, CEO of Sharjah Assessment Management which is managing the Souq, said that the Sharjah Asset Management, with the support of Dr Shaikh Sultan, is aiming to support the development strategy undertaken by the government of Sharjah to diversify its sources of national income, as well as in contributing in the development of the Emirate's economy and national economy in general.
The retailers expressed their happiness with the new facility and said it will attract all classes of customers. They were also happy about working in a clean, odour-free and cool environment. They said in the new market the rent is also not too high and they don't have to pay power and water bills any more.
The market was also flooded with customers who were delighted with the high standard, hygiene and cool environment of the market. They said they can now bring their whole family for shopping. They were also satisfied with the prices of the products, which according to them were reasonable.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com