Ithra Dubai, a leading real estate developer in the UAE, said it has completed relocation of all traders from Deira Fish Market to the brand-new 104,373-sq-m Waterfront Market on the new Deira Corniche in Dubai.

Traders made their move on Sunday (June 11) with the very first fish auction having taken place at the new Waterfront Market at midnight.

The opening of the Waterfront Market marks the start of a new beginning for the community, continuing the heritage of trade and fresh food in the region, said a statement from Ithra.

The new hi-tech facility, which covers more than 100,000 sq m, boasts a fish market and auction area, a fruit and vegetable market, a meat and poultry market, and stores for dry goods, spices, dates, honey besides a lot more facilities.

In addition, the market will feature a hypermarket, a mix of retail stores, office space and a beautiful promenade area for cafes and restaurants, stated the developer.

In line with Dubai’s tourism 2020 vision, the new Waterfront Market is set to be an attraction within the region. Fresher, cleaner and enhanced facilities will boost footfall to the market helping businesses to grow and keep up with customer demand for better services and higher quality products, it added.

"During the construction of the market, we wanted to bear in mind the heritage of the fish market and what makes it so iconic to the history of Dubai," remarked Mohamed AlShehhi, the mall director, Waterfront Market.

"We decided to carry on this legacy but improve conditions and facilities to cater for a wider audience. Traders now have the tools they need to match supply with the demands of the market," he added.

The new facilities offer much better hygienic standards with separate washing stations, cleaning and cutting stations as well as a fully air-conditioned and odour-controlled environment. A cold storage room, chiller and freezer facilities are dedicated for vegetables, fish and meat produce ensuring they are kept fresher for longer.  

Fishermen can now unload from their dhows at the pontoons with the freshest fish being delivered direct from the sea. The new modernised facilities help small businesses improve their productivity enabling them to react better to increased footfall.

Traders commented on the beautiful new façade and the authentic look and feel inside the market, said the statement from Ithra Dubai. Many were impressed with the new cleaning and cutting area as well as the large auction area with its own ice plant..-TradeArabia News Service