After two years of waiting and work, Qatar’s Dragon Mart has finally received Civil Defense clearance to open for business.
The complex of Chinese shops and stalls on Barwa Commerical Avenue has repeatedly delayed its launch because of new safety requirements that prevented it from obtaining a government license to operate.
Speaking to Doha News, Logistics Manager Yang Li said that Qatar revamped its fire safety protocols after the 2012 Villaggio fire, in which 19 people died.
“That means everything changed,” Li said, adding that it took more than a year to redesign the 300 shop units inside the Dragon Mart complex.
Preparations underway
Since obtaining the permit three days ago, a handful of shops at Dragon Mart have already begun operating. But most are not ready, Li said. He added:
“We are already legally ready to open, but we have to give our tenants one to one and a half months for their preparations, because they all come from Dubai and China.”
An official launch is expected by next month, he said. At that time, some 200 shops are expected to be open to the public.
Dragon Mart takes up some 20,000 sqm of retail space in the 8km Barwa development, which flanks a major route to the Industrial Area.
The shops will offer a host of Chinese-made products, including building materials, furniture, electronics and textiles. A similar concept is already present in Dubai, but is several times larger than the complex in Doha.
Thoughts?
Another mall, Hurray!!!!!!
And this mall. the entirety, is like 8 km long. And no great parking, surprise, either. That I can see. Bldgs pretty close behind. But I guess 2 spaces, 8km long is a lot of spaces. ?
I can’t wait to buy all those well made Chinese products. They have such a good reputation for quality and longevity.
Like the iPhone.
Do you know anyone that still has an iPhone 2 or 3 that still works?
I have a 3s
But it has to meet USA Apple specs so a bit different than normal everyday products.
Indeed. Plus I can’t imagine this dragon mart being an authorised iPhone retailer.
It depends product to product, but I’d be willing to bet the majority of consumer products you use and are happy with have a lot of Chinese parts or assembly.
Does that include my Chinese made fridge that I just needed to have replaced as it broke down?
I’m pretty sure whatever you replaced it with has a lot of major components made in China too.
and free from toxic elements
Parking. ?
Great. Finally an opportunity to buy a genuine product made in China.
The one in Dubai is ‘Several times larger’. No we cant have that..quick make ours bigger .
Just back from Dragon Mart in Dubai…..actually, it’s full of low quality junk, lets be honest. However, you can find almost ANYTHING there and it’s a pleasant change from the other Dubai Mega Malls. Food is dire though and it’s a nightmare to find your way around. Hope they have learned from the Dubai one here. Shame it’s only 300 stores, but hey its a start.
What stores are open in dragoon mart, does anyone know? Also what are Ramadan times?