Sharq Market visionaries see regional tourist hub with stunning views and marine sports

• Innovators emphasized that Sharq Market’s development should capitalize on its prime location with stunning views and update its interior design to focus on open spaces and rooftops, creating a more inviting atmosphere for visitors.

• The innovators proposed building a hotel at Sharq Market to attract tourists, along with a major entertainment area with water games and marine sports infrastructure for local and international championships.

• Innovators proposed a cruise center, health club, and physical therapy institute at Sharq Market to boost domestic and international tourism, positioning it as a key regional hub.

Recently, many countries have turned to young people, particularly innovators, to contribute their ideas in driving a new wave of development, as reported by Al Rai newspaper.

In this regard, the opportunity has been created for young people to present their design and development visions, particularly in development projects, aiming to expand the scope of creative thinking and foster more accurate competition with out-of-the-box ideas.

Additionally, the newspaper highlighted the visions of entrepreneurs and innovators on how to develop SharqMarket, one of Kuwait’s most prominent historical commercial complexes. The question posed was: “If you were responsible for the development of Sharq Market, what would be your vision for its transformation?”

The innovators agreed that the market’s development requires a vision that aligns with the latest trends in urban creativity within the Gulf and globally. This vision should leverage its exceptional location, which could turn it into a regional hub for tourism, entertainment, hotels, and water sports.

They emphasized that any development of Sharq Market must capitalize on its strategic location with its stunning view of the bay, as well as the inner lake, yacht marina, and boats within the complex.

They also pointed out the need to update the interior design of the market to reflect the latest trends in complex design, particularly with the current layout, which contains many corridors and indoor spaces. The new design should focus on open spaces and rooftops, offering visitors a more comfortable and inviting atmosphere.

They pointed out that one of the key development ideas is to include the construction of a hotel in the Sharq Market development, attracting tourists and visitors from outside Kuwait, thanks to its prime location.

Additionally, they suggested creating a major entertainment area featuring water games suitable for families, children, and young people, while utilizing the market’s waterfront to build infrastructure for marine sports, capable of hosting both local and international championships.

They also proposed establishing a cruise center within the market, along with a health club (GEM) and a physical therapy institute, emphasizing the importance of these facilities in boosting both domestic and international tourism. This would help position the complex as one of the key centers in Kuwait and the wider region.

Sharq Market’s design to blend tradition with modern innovation, says Shaima Bin Hussain

Regarding the Sharq Market, Shaima Bin Hussain, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Small & Medium Enterprises in Kuwait, emphasized the importance of maintaining the current excellent design of the market to preserve the essence of old Kuwait, while adapting the architecture to meet modern needs.

She highlighted the need for providing technological solutions to enhance the visitor experience, reviving the cinema, and allocating space for small business owners.

Additionally, she suggested establishing recreational areas suitable for all ages, creating a global entertainment area featuring water games, and encouraging seasonal activities. She also proposed establishing a winter market in the outdoor corridor with permanent exhibitions.

Sharq Market’s interior design should follow latest trends in complex development, says Fayez Al-Shammari

Fayez Al-Shammari, General Manager of Box In Limited for the Cartoon Industry and initiator of the project, stated that modifying the interior design of the Sharq Market should follow the latest trends in complex development. He emphasized adopting open spaces and ceilings to create a more comfortable atmosphere for visitors.

Al-Shammari also proposed establishing a hotel to attract tourists and visitors from outside Kuwait, as well as an international games area featuring water games suitable for families, children, and young people.

He suggested providing infrastructure for marine sports to host local and international tournaments and establishing a cruise center within the market.

Floating restaurants on the sea

Bedoor Al-Sumait, the President of Business and Professional Women Network, emphasized the importance of organizing workshops and events throughout the year to attract customers and introduce them to participating and existing projects at SharqMarket.

She suggested incorporating an advanced cinema with animated interactive chairs, floating restaurants on the sea, and a small hotel with services like restaurants and meeting rooms.

Additionally, she proposed a skate rink in the center of the complex, boats selling vegetables and fruits in the evening, and utilizing the outdoor theater to host international performances during the winter.

She also recommended reducing or implementing ascending rent rates for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, as well as establishing a business incubator for entrepreneurs, with a well-thought-out plan and duration for each participating project owner.

Marina to be relocated for stunning Gulf views, with Maldives-inspired hotel to follow

The initiative of Fahad Abdulmohsen Al-Nasser includes exploiting the waterfront to establish a tourist resort and allocating a sandy area for land services, such as “diaspora.” It also proposes the creation of an institute and health club (GEM), as well as the largest physiotherapy institute in the region.

Al-Nasser suggests relocating the marina to directly overlook the Gulf and building a hotel in the style of the Maldives. An air-conditioned track dedicated to bicycles along the length of the project is also part of the plan, along with maintaining the complex’s distinctive heritage design and its annexes.

The initiative includes establishing sports playgrounds (tennis, paddle, squash) in addition to marine sports, providing spaces for restaurants and cafes on the façade, and creating the largest Aqua Park in the region to serve as a regional center for marine games.

Supporting SMEs with discounted rents and incentives

The initiative of Abdulaziz Al-Dhafiri includes allocating space in the market for Kuwaiti projects and building a hotel that directly overlooks the sea. It also proposes the installation of dancing fountains with an hourly display, along with a selection of international restaurants and cafes offering sea views.

Al-Dhafiri emphasizes support for small and medium-sized entrepreneurs with discounted rents and incentives. Additionally, the initiative includes halls for bazaars and events, offices that organize cruises on ships and boats, and a cinema built to international standards.

Five youth perceptions for the development of Sharq Market

The opinions of the initiators highlighted several key points for the development of Sharq Market, with the most prominent being:

1. Preserving the distinctive heritage design.
2. Building a hotel with direct sea views.
3. Reviving the cinema with international standards.
4. Establishing recreational areas suitable for all age groups.
5. Creating an international entertainment area featuring water games and hosting local and international championships.