By Ayman Adly /Staff Reporter


The Ministry of Business and Trade (MBT) launched yesterday a pioneering project to establish small markets - including groceries, pharmacies, bakeries, and outlets offering other basic services - within different neighbourhoods.
The ministry also signed a contract with Qatar Development Bank (QDB) to undertake the first phase of the project.  
HE the Minister of Business and Trade Sheikh Jassim bin Abdulaziz bin Jassim bin Hamad al-Thani said the project would contribute partly towards bringing the rental rates of commercial outlets to the correct track, especially those that directly serve residential areas. The project also aims at providing commercial shops at reasonable rental rates that support sustainable development.
HE the Minister of Municipality and Urban Planning Sheikh Abdurrahman bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz al-Thani explained that his ministry had welcomed the project as a positive initiative and supplied the necessary plots of land for implementation. He also praised the efforts of the Ministry of Business and Trade in implementing this project.
The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning has assigned 44 plots of land for the different phases of the project in places including Doha, Rayyan, and Al Daayen municipalities. Four plots are to be distributed at Al-Thumama area, six at Al Rwada, four at Al Mearad, four at Ain Khalid, Seven at Qutaifiya, and three at Hazm Al Markhiya among other different locations.
“The project would be conducted in three phases. The first stage would include 12 plots of land in different locations around the country with spaces that amount to 2,500- 3,000sqm with 122 commercial shops,” said Mansur bin Ibrahim al-Mahmoud, CEO of QDB.
The second phase involves 18 plots of land with spaces amounting to 700-2,000sq m to construct 176 shops. The third and final phase include 14 plots of land with spaces of around 3,000-7,000sq m with 290 shops.
“The services and activities of such shops would be varied to serve the residents of each area. Also, some places are assigned for ATMs and other machines to pay the e-bills of different services,” al-Mahmoud pointed out.
He stressed that the structure and design of such buildings were inspired by the Qatari environment and heritage, in specific colours and patterns.
The first stage has already been awarded to a national company in a public tender. Tenders for the second and third phase are under preparation and would be put forward soon. The overall project is expected to be fully implemented by mid-2014.   
Qatar Central Bank governor HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Saoud al-Thani, Qatar Chamber Chairman Shiekh Khalifa bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani, board members, and members of Qatari Businessmen Association and the Qatari Businesswomen Association were also present.
The first stage is expected to be finalised within about eight months. Officials stressed the project is not an alternative for the existing neighbourhoods groceries. It is totally something different, they added. Page 23