JEDDAH, 27 June 2004 — Work has begun on the new central market for fruit and vegetables in east Jeddah, a press statement said.
Jeddah Mayor Abdullah Al-Muallami paid a visit to the site and ordered all construction work to be completed within the next 19 months.
“The new fruit and vegetable souq facility, to be completed after 19 months, will offer more than 400,000 sq. m. for 1,100 shops and is designed to meet the requirements of not only Jeddah city but also the surrounding areas,” he said.
The new market will cost up to SR320 million to build, according to Abdul Latif Al-Shareef of Aqar Holding, which handles the marketing of the project.
Muhammad Al-Mansour, the manager of Modern Development Co. which is building the complex, said the aim is to meet the urgent need for an up-to-date facility.
“A modern market, at a larger site, will underpin the longer term development of fruit and vegetable production, distribution, and retail industry across the region,” he said.
He noted the development had the potential to trigger significant private sector investment.
