DUBAI: Union Co-operative Society in Dubai is intending to expand its branches in different areas of the emirate, in addition to building a mosque, before Expo 2020, at a total cost of over Dhs254 million.

Suhail Al Bastaki, Director of Marketing and Communication Department, said that the Society would carry out expansion projects in six new areas in Dubai, including the opening of five branches, and a mosque. The expansion comes in line with the Expo 2020, and the event’s expected large turnout, not only in Dubai, but at the country level. He pointed out that the Union Co-operative Society is a major economic foundation in the UAE, which contributes to the happiness of consumers.

The new expansion projects will include opening a branch in Umm Suqeim on an area of 15,000 square metres at a cost of Dhs50 million. The branch provides a parking area for 119 vehicles. The second branch will be in Abu Hail. It will be constructed on an area of 17,000 square metres providing parking lots for 179 vehicles at a total cost of Dhs69 million.

He noted that the third project will be in Al Warqaa-3, where a new branch will be constructed on an area of 42,000 square metres including a parking area for 570 vehicles at a total cost of Dhs110 million. There will be another branch in Al Quoz-1 on an area of 10,000 square metres with parking lots for 96 vehicles. Also a new branch will be opened in the Dubai International City that is constructed on an area of 3,400 square metres.

Among the expansion projects, the Society will build the Union Mosque in Al Barsha area at a total cost of Dhs9.250 million on an area of 2,038 square metres to have capacity for 1,650 people. The mosque is scheduled to be opened before end of 2016, Al Bastaki said.

With completion of these new branches, and in the light of the large turnout that the Society is witnessing, it will increase its branches to 15 in Dubai. It is studying to open new branches in Jumeirah, Khawaneej and Al Twar during the coming years, he added.