CONSTRUCTION of the multi-million-dollar Dragon City will start soon in Bahrain, with the 46,000 sq m first phase set to be operational by the third quarter of 2014.

The project, boasting Chinese-style architecture and buildings coupled with a strong Bahraini influence, is being developed by Diyar Al Muharraq at its project off the coast of Muharraq.

“This will be similar to a very large shopping centre where hundreds of Chinese companies will do business and showcase their products,” China Middle East Investment and Trade Promotion Centre (Chinamex) chairman Hao Feng said.

“This will attract not only people from Bahrain but also from Saudi Arabia, and will be an opportunity for Chinese companies to promote themselves throughout the region,” he added.

He said the concept of the Dragon City had been drawn up jointly by Chinamex and Diyar Al Muharraq, but the total cost of the development has not been announced.

“We are now ready to go ahead with this development, which will be a striking new project for Bahrain,” added Feng.
Diyar Al Muharraq chairman Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat said: “The Dragon City project, a large-scale trade platform for product exhibition, retail and wholesale, with Chinese architectural and cultural aspects, will be marketed and managed by Chinamex.

“Target groups will include Chinese enterprises and businessmen who seek to sell their products and services in Bahrain, local citizens and international visitors.”

He said Chinamex was already established in the region and had experience in promotion, management and operation of similar projects, especially the Dragon Mart in Dubai and the Chinese City in Mexico.

Diyar Al Muharraq chief executive Aaref Hejres said Dragon City was just one of several investment projects due to be launched in the development.

Developers say the area will be landscaped with greenery and water features, car parking and other services. Roadways and walkways will increase access to all projects, with coffee shops, restaurants and all retail and commercial enterprises following the Chinese theme.

“It is expected to attract more than half a million visitors a year and galvanise the property development industry, setting new standards and practices,” said Alkhayyat.

“But perhaps the most significant contribution would be the creation of a vast number and variety of jobs, as well as infrastructural projects and other requirements,” he added.