Diyar Al Muharraq, a leading urban developer in Bahrain, said it will join hands with Chinamex Middle East Investment & Trade Company to officially launch the kingdom's very own China Town this month.



Chinamex will be responsible for the management of the $100-million Dragon City.



Spread over a 115,000 sq m land at Diyar Al Muharraq islands off Muharraq with a built-up area of 56,000 sq m, Dragon City is the only one-of-its-kind project in the region that has been designed to encompass the superior standards it boasts, both structurally and on an infrastructural basis, said a statement from the Bahraini developer.



Its eclectic offerings and alluring nature will attract visitors, customers and investors from all over the GCC, heralding a new age of success, prosperity and fame in the kingdom, it added.



Unveiling the plans, the Diyar Al Muharraq CEO Dr Maher Al Shaer, said the Dragon City will open its doors on December 27 offering unique wholesale and retail opportunities to local consumers, trade customers and tourists.



"Being one of the anchors of the ambitious Diyar Al Muharraq mixed-use project, it is imperative that it lives up to the hype surrounding it and with the work already completed, the public will soon get a glimpse of the success that it is guaranteed to be and the surety that it will exceed all expectations," he noted.



"It will transform Bahrain into a prominent hub of industry, trade and commerce in the region and will eventually propel the kingdom into the global real estate and property development limelight," remarked Al Shaer.



Chinamex chairman Hao Feng said: "With joint efforts put by Diyar and Chinamex, and support of related government departments of both China and Bahrain, Dragon City is finally ready to welcome the public now."



"Till today, Dragon City has successfully attracted hundreds of Chinese manufacturers and trading companies to set up their business in Dragon City, and total occupation is over 95 per cent. Of this, nearly 10 per cent are local companies," he stated.



Feng said more than 60 per cent of the shops dealing in building materials, lighting fixtures, furniture, electronics, home appliances, children fashion and garments, as well as a food court will be ready to welcome the public on the opening day.



"We believe that the opening will witness a new stage of economic and trade relationship between China and Bahrain," he added.



Dragon City encompasses Dragon Mall and a themed “Dining Village.” The mall design is infused with Chinese architectural and cultural aspects incorporating over 747 commercial units for both retail and wholesale trade and additionally, a 4,500-sq-m area designated for warehouses.



The Dining Village spans an area of 6000 sq m and features a car park large enough to accommodate 1,500 cars. The commercial units in Dragon Mall have seen a high demand, said Feng.



The new China Town also includes the Dragon Apartments in close proximity to the mall. Occupying a total land area of 20,000 sq m, these apartments comprise six multi-storey residential buildings encompassing four and six floors with a total of 300 apartments and are seen to be the ideal residence for the investors of Dragon Mall and for the staff at the mall.



Work on Dragon Apartments is totally complete and the first group of residents is due to move in their apartments soon, said the company in a statement.



The Dragon City concept was launched in May 2012 as the result of an operational agreement between Diyar Al Muharraq and Chinamex, and Nass Contracting was commissioned for the construction of Dragon City while Cluttons was appointed as the leasing agent for the project.



Also, an agreement was signed with Bin Faqeeh Real Estate Development Company for the development of Dragon Apartments, and Banz Group was appointed for warehouse management and logistics services for Dragon City.



Diyar Al Muharraq is a unique masterplanned city for the people of Bahrain offering a range of housing options and quality lifestyle. It offers a cohesive mix of residential and commercial properties with a strong line-up of projects aimed at creating a long-term and sophisticated township.-TradeArabia News Service