Dubai Municipality is working on Dh2.5 billion ($680 million) development projects including construction of new markets and commercial complexes besides expansion and maintenance of the existing facilities, said a report.

It is also developing the Central Fruits and Vegetables Market at an estimated cost of Dh500 million ($136 million), and a multi-storey cold storage for vegetables and fruits involving 56 stores at an estimated cost of Dh160 million ($44 million), reported the state news agency Wam.

This project will contribute towards increasing the storage capacity of vegetables and fruits and will meet the growing demand for cold storages, stated the report, citing Hussein Nasser Lootah, its director-general.

The municipality is also constructing a specialised market for building materials in Warsan-3 at a cost of Dh96 million ($26 million) besides another market dealing with furniture, electrical equipment and household appliances at Nadd Al Sheba.

"About 90 per cent of the development work has completed on the project and negotiations are presently on with furniture and construction materials companies with well-known brands to open their branches in the market," said Lootah.

According to Lootah, the municipality manages about 5,000 shops, warehouses and cafeterias in 14 different markets in the emirate constructed at a cost of more than Dh1 billion ($272 million).

"These facilities are leased for economic activities, which include the Trucks and Heavy Equipment Market and Trucks and Heavy Equipment Spare Parts Market in Ruwayyah-3, Central Fruits and Vegetables Market in Warsan, Used Car Market in Al Aweer, Birds and Pets Market in Warsan-3, Camel Market in Al Lisaili, Cattle Market in Al Qusais, Textile markets in Nayef, Al Fahidi and the Traditional Market in Al Hamriya," he stated.

Lootah pointed out that a contract had been signed on build, operate and transfer (BOT) system, with a qualified company, to build a truck and heavy equipment washing station within the truck market.