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29 March 2024

Abu Dhabi pursues removal of old markets

Abu Dhabi pursues removal of old markets. (FILE)

Published
By Staff

Abu Dhabi is pushing ahead with a project to dismantle oil markets and replace with modern shops as part of an overall development scheme in the capital, the Arabic language daily Alkhaleej reported on Sunday.

The Abu Dhabi Municipality, which oversees the replacement, has completed the removal of old souks in Bateen and Mushrif areas and is in the process of dismantling the remaining ageing markets, the paper said.

Owners of the demolished shops will be compensated for business stoppage during the period between demolition and construction of new outlets. They will also be allowed to lease the new shops on a “basis of operation and transfer.”

In May, the Municipality notified all owners of its plan to remove old shops aged at least 30 years as part of the emirate’s development and beautification plan.

The largest replacement plan witnessed by Abu Dhabi involves the demolition of the central market in the heart of the capital five years ago and the construction of a modern high-rise shopping centre that accommodates over 500 shops. Some of those shops have already started business but the centre is scheduled to be officially inaugurated late this year of early 2011.