Dragon Mart, largest centre for Chinese merchandise, to open by year-end at International City

September 22, 2004 -- Dragon Mart, the largest trading hub for Chinese products outside China being developed by Nakheel in Al Warsan area in Dubai, as part of International City, will open by the end of 2004. The 1.2 km long dragon-shaped structure is in the final stages of construction and will assemble the largest and most varied collection of Chinese products and services under one roof.

The unique retail, commercial and residential project will create a novel type of retail in the heart of New Dubai. The project development within the International City is being supported and implemented by Nakheel and the Chinamex Middle East Investment and Trade Promotion Centre.

"The development of International City is driven by emerging trends in business and lifestyles of various countries represented in the Residential District," said Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, Nakheel. "However, the dynamism and innovation displayed by China has prompted us to create a dedicated area to Chinese traders and investors could carry out commercial activities and open their wares to new markets, in a setting that would recreate bring alive the Chinese ambience through themed interiors."

Dragon Mart will be housed inside the biggest dragon-shaped building in the world, spread over an area of 150,000 square metres, extending to a length of 1.2 km, with the dragon-head measuring 220 metres in length and 210 metres in width and 18 metres in height. The body of the dragon will be 980 meters long, 110 metres wide and 6.4 metres high. Dragon Mart will be a two-storey structure with the exterior made up of aluminium plates to give the look of the scales of a dragon.

"Dragon Mart will assemble over 4,000 qualified Chinese manufacturers and enterprises, including joint venture companies and foreign companies operating from China, all pre-qualified and selected by concerned authorities, in order to ensure high quality and consistent standards," added bin Sulayem. "When completed, Dragon Mart will provide a unique business and lifestyle experience to visitors from all over the world."

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

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.




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