Qatar Development Bank (QDB) has launched a new mobile app aimed at providing residents access to Al Furjan (neighbourhood) markets as part of efforts to promote entrepreneurship and support the country’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.
The app is available for free at Google Play Store and Apple Store, Abdulrahman al-Suwaidi, Al Furjan project manager at QDB, told reporters at a press conference held yesterday at the QDB head office.
Al-Suwaidi explained that the Al Furjan app was designed as a marketing tool for store owners to promote and sell their products using mobile technology. Using GPS (Global Positioning System), the app also helps residents locate Al Furjan markets in their respective neighbourhoods.
Speaking to Gulf Times on the sidelines of the event, al-Suwaidi said the app can be upgraded “in the future,” and will allow store owners to change their commercial activities, submit maintenance requests, and other e-Services.
According to al-Suwaidi, the Al Furjan app was developed by a third party, “with close monitoring from QDB” to tailor-fit the app based on the needs of store owners and customers.
He also pointed out that the second phase of Al Furjan markets will include 40 plots of rural and urban land comprising 500 shops. “But we are targeting the rural areas and we had modified our designs depending on population size to address the needs of the community,” he said.
Al-Suwaidi said Phase 2 is based on three criteria: land population, infrastructure, and if there are existing commercial establishments like hypermarkets, shopping centres, and similar facilities.
“As part of the Phase 2 initiative, we have awarded the tenders for the construction of 13 Al Furjan markets comprising 150 shops, and are expected to be completed by 2018. We have already completed the designs for the 13 markets and are ready for construction. The rest of the markets are still in the design stage.
“QDB is keen on diversifying the commercial activities and avoid any duplication of stores and similar establishments to guarantee the profitability of store owners at the Al Furjan markets. There is also a minimum distance separating each market to avoid the overlapping of shops,” he said.
Established in 2013, Al Furjan is a combined initiative between QDB, the Specialised Engineering Bureau, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, al-Suwaidi said. The first phase involved 45 markets comprising more than 600 shops in various parts of Doha, he added.