UAE Chinese Dragon Mart sets to open by year end

Chinese Dragon Mart in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside China, sets to open by the end of 2004, the official WAM news agency reported Monday.

The Dragon Mart, developed by Nakheel of Dubai and Chinamex Middle East Investment and Trade Promotion Center in UAE, is located in International City of Dubai and it is the largest of its kind in the world.

The 1.2-km long dragon-shaped structure is in the final stage of construction and will assemble the largest and most varied collection of Chinese products and services under one roof.

Dragon Mart will house showrooms, shopping area, restaurants and warehouses. It will be divided into 20 commercial areas, 13 service areas, an office area and a business center. There will be many negotiation rooms and three conference rooms within the commercial areas.

Over 4,000 qualified Chinese manufacturers and enterprises, including joint venture companies and foreign companies operating from China, will be assembled in the Mart, according to Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Nakheel.

Adjoining the Dragon Mart will be a complex of 25 residential buildings in a Chinese themed elevation, located about 300 meters away from the mart, offering 1,868 quality apartments and retail space on the ground floor level, completing the picture of an elegant mixed used development.

The first areas of International City to be opened are the Dragon Mart and the Chinese residential districts, while the rest of the residential districts, commercial areas and tourist attractions will follow at different stages throughout 2005.

When completed, Dragon Mart will provide a unique business and lifestyle experience to visitors from all over the world, reported WAM.

Source: Xinhua