Temporary Naif Souq to open next month

The shop owners need not pay any additional rents until the new Naif Souq is ready in eight months' time.

According to Juma Khalifa Al Fuqaei, Director of General Maintenance Department which is undertaking construction of the temporary market, a parking lot in Naif area had made way for the temporary market.

"Construction of the temporary market is progressing well ahead of the schedule. As much as 40% of the works have already been completed. We hope to finish the remaining works which include erecting steel structures of the shops, gypsum works, columns, and roof by mid June. Nearly 150 workers are employed here in two shifts - morning and evening," said Al Fuqaei.

He noted that there would be 200 shops in the temporary markets - the same number of shops in the original market. It will be provided with all safety and security requirements, and will include all amenities provided to shop-owners in the original market.

Meanwhile, he noted that the design of the new Naif Souq, which was recently approved by Dubai Municipality, would incorporate features of the local architecture. The building would have two air-conditioned floors and there would be a car parking area around the main building for the souq visitors. This will be done utilizing the same space of the old souq. The finishing of the internal and external facades of the building will be done in line with international standards. The building will also include a cafeteria, administrative office and other public utilities, in addition to escalators and lifts as well as entry and exit for commodities.

He stressed that the Municipality has always tried to enhance its services offered to the public, which will reflect on the overall development of the emirate of Dubai. "We always make it a point that all our projects are accomplished within the stipulated time period as our projects have an important role in serving the society," he said.

Naif Souq was one of the oldest traditional markets in Dubai, having been named so thanks to its proximity to the ancient Naif Fort. The 60,000 sq ft market was also popularly referred to in Arabic as "Souq Sanadiq" because of the box-type shops before they were renovated in the 80s.