Central fish market to shift to Umm Salal by first quarter of 2017

Those who prefer to buy fish at wholesale rates from the Central Fish Market will have to start travelling a lot farther soon.

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce announced that the Doha-Central Market will be closed soon and shifted to a new facility in Umm Salal. The ministry expects the move to be completed by the first quarter of 2017, reported The Peninsula.

Vendors at the old market were given time until December 22 to apply for new spaces and it is understood that most of them are on track to do so. There are more than 50 vendors and wholesalers at the present market.

The new market opens is expected to become fully functional by the end of first quarter of 2017.

Some vendors have voiced their apprehension about the new market’s distance from town.

“We want to continue our business, so we don’t have any other option. The new market is located a little bit far from Doha. So that’s definitely a matter of concern for me and others,” said one of the vendors.

“In the beginning, I expect our business to be a little slow. But I expect the momentum to pick up soon. The current fish market is centrally located and it attracts a large number of people,” he added.

Suitable accommodation and eateries are also matters of concern for the vendors.