The new Central Fruit and Vegetable Market opens today in Al Aweer.

Most of the vendors finished moving yesterday and will be open for business from the new location today. Those who have not moved have until July 15 to do so, but they are not allowed to operate in the old market.


Finishing touches
Some vendors, especially those in retail business, are worried about a drop in customers. "We are expecting fewer retail customers in the new market," Mumtaz Ahmed said.

The old market, he said, was located close to the residential area and there was always a large crowd in the retail area with families coming for their weekly or daily shopping trips. "The new location is quite far and it will take time to attract customers."

A. Redha Mansouri, a member of the Traders Committee, said the market will be fully operational from the first day. "Trucks carrying fruit and vegetables have already been diverted to the new market. Both the wholesale and retail sections are ready to receive customers."

He said vendors who complained about the problems of moving were lazy and had not planned ahead.

The municipality has completed all the preparations to help the market open today.

Abdul Rahman Al Jaziri, director of the markets department, said most of the shop owners have completed the interiors of their shops and are ready for business.

The labour accommodation at the new market is also ready for tenants, he said. He asked vendors to submit their applications for accommodation, outlining their requirements.

Deemed the biggest in the Gulf countries with an area of 6,110 hectares, the new market is set to boost Dubai as the hub of the fruit and vegetable business in the region.

"The new market, which is four times bigger than Hamriya Market, has been provided with all the advanced facilities to accommodate an increased number of traders and customers," said engineer Abdul Rahman Al Sharid, head of the committee for moving the market from Hamriya. This move will also help reduce the traffic congestion in Hamriya.

Al Sharid said the new market is designed to meet the requirements of the emirate's vegetable and fruit trade until 2012.

The market includes an administrative block and separate wholesale and retail markets. The wholesale market comprises seven blocks consisting of 248 outlets. The retail market, which is air-conditioned, comprises four blocks consisting of 150 vegetable, meat and fish outlets.

Municipality officials expect nearly 10,000 people to visit the market daily.

Easy access to cent
* Residents in Bur Dubai care n use Route 61, which starts from Al Gubaiba Bus Station.

* Residents in Al Ghusais can use Route 63, which starts from Al Ghusais Bus Station.

* People in Deira can take Route 64, which starts from the Gold Souk Bus Station.

* Plans are afoot to introduce more routes from other areas in Dubai, according to Abdul Aziz Abdulla Malik, director of public transportation department.