The market, with annual sales amounting to about SR36 billion, is considered the largest in Saudi Arabia and the Arab Gulf region.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Jeddah municipality, the traffic police, the Society of Residential Districts, the Saudi Environment Society (SES), the exhibition center and the local municipal council.

According to the chairman of the municipal council, Hussain bin Alawi Baaqeel, those at the meeting decided to clean the Haraj Market of damaged cars, heavy steel garbage, destroyed tires, dust and water pools.

He said car dealers in the market had complained to the council several times about bad services, including lack of cleanliness, poor lighting, traffic congestion and roads blocked by car debris, dust and garbage.

He said the dealers also complained that underground water was leaking into the market, posing environmental and health hazards.

Baaqeel said the meeting discussed three main issues, including waste, the debris and leaking water.

He quoted the chief auctioneer in the market, Owaidah Muhammad Al-Johani, as saying that the main streets in the market had been turned into workshops and small showrooms by foreigners illegally operating in the market.

Baaqeel said an agreement had been reached with Al-Johani to tow away any damaged vehicles left unattended for more than 15 days and those parked in prohibited public places.

He said a special meeting would be held between the municipal council and the municipality to find solutions for the leaking underground water.

Hassan Al-Zahrani, deputy chairman of the council, said the market has more than 800 showrooms and is visited daily by thousands of people from Jeddah and neighboring areas.

He said the SES asked to be given the franchise to recycle damaged cars and debris and make them into environment-friendly items that would contribute toward sustainable development.