Reports | 25 05 2020
The sidewalks were filled with stalls in the town of Efrine, north of Aleppo, which used to make the sidewalks narrower forpassers by, before the opening of the popular market “souk”.
Khalil Aslan, a young man, was one of the owners of those stalls, selling accessories and makeup in spite of the different circumstances and conditions due to the high cost of rental shops, and his limited financial capacities.
Reminds people of the “Market Town” in Aleppo
Rozana wandered in the market (souk): many people go to this market, both people of Efrine and displaced people in Efrine. The market has various products, clothes and food with very reasonable prices.
Khalil says: “It was a very good thing when the people in charge thought about establishing this market, because, we, as stall owners used to suffer from standing on the sidewalks, in the cold, rain and snow. On top of that, the shopkeepers in the main roads used to prevent us from setting up our stalls in front of their shops. They used to complain about this matter which was causing them embarrassment as well.”
Khalil explains that the situation now is much better than before, because the market contains about 150 small shops, in addition to that, it has a roof, and according to him it it’s similar – to a far extent- to the “Market town"in Aleppo.
A market for poor people
“Rozana” met with some of the market-goers and recorded their opinions and views regarding the products and their prices. “ We shop in this market because the prices of products are around 1000-1500 Syrian Lira cheaper than in other shops, so I buy everything that my family needs from this market” says one of the shoppers.
Another shopper explains: “ I shop here because prices are cheaper comparing to prices in other shops; and everything is available here and meets the people’s needs from food and clothes.”
One of the female shoppers confirmed that there is a clear difference between prices in this shop and in other shops, adding “I found a same piece of product outside this market, which I saw here as well, I have noticed that it’s much cheaper here although it is of same quality.”
Planning to establish other markets
Habeel Muqdad, Administrative Officer at the market union of the Efrine Civil Society Organization, confirms that creating a new market was a major solution to the stalls dilemma; he also said that the organization plans to establish similar markets. In order to get rid of the stalls phenomena once and for all and help those of limited financial capabilities to find a sources of income under the circumstances that the county is going through.
“Overpopulation in Efrine city and the spread of the stall phenomena on the streets, and narrowing of the sidewalks it caused in the face of the passer-by led us to find the right place. We coordinated with the municipality and the rest of the civil society organizations in Efrine and we proposed the establishment of the market to eliminate the stalls phenomena from the streets and help the owners” Habeel talking about the reasons that led the Efrine Civil Society Institute to establish this market.
He adds,” Rent in Efrine Popular Market ranges between 4-5 thousands Syrian Lira per shop.”
It should also be noted that Efrine area--and despite of the siege which different parties are rotating on imposing-- is witnessing a vibrant commercial activities in all areas, and that’s due to the relative safety situation and the influx of displaced people from neighboring areas from the Northern Aleppo country side which are estimated around one hundred thousands displaced persons. Additionally, Efrine and the six areas affiliated with it, are witnessing establishment of six mobile markets through out the week.