KUCHING: Damai Bay Bazaar (DBB), located at Teluk Bandung Damai, is the latest project of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) to turn the not easily accessible seafront into an oasis of leisure and recreation.It stretches along a natural scenic bay facing the South China Sea, right in the middle of Damai Beach Resort, Damai Puri Resort and Spa, and Sarawak Cultural Village which covers approximately eight acres.
According to a press release, the Damai Bay Bazaar was conceptualised in 2000 to make Damai a more vibrant commercial hub to complement existing tourism attractions and hotel resorts in the area.
The success of the DBB project is not confined to its completion within time and budget but its impact on society.
The project is an important step to develop Damai and properties in the area as an integrated product as well as help earned tourism revenue, create employment and spillover economic activities to benefit local entrepreneurs.
Neither the extraordinary physical outlook nor compliance to tenancy agreement is sufficient to signify the success of the project.
DBB aims to create the hustle and bustle of commercial activities in the Damai area, provide more leisure-based activities to attract local and foreign visitors to Damai, enliven Damai in the evening, and promote more socio-economic growth in the area.
Other aspects such as its products and services, speedy delivery system and excellent customer service are important considerations.
This comprehensive approach is to enable the property to be successful in its operation and be self-sustaining in the long term.
“The proposed project was approved by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia with a grant of RM16 million whilst MECD contributed RM1 million,” said the press release.
The project is to provide affordable business premises for the Bumiputera community in retail and food trading. DBB will be an exciting mix of leisure, entertainment, shopping and recreational facilities.
The centre piece will be a cluster of shops around a public square landscaped with gardens, fountains and shaded structures.
DBB will provide benefits like activities and a centre of focus for day trips from Kuching city as well as surrounding hotel guests, commercial opportunities for small businesses such as food, drinks and craft stall operators as well as rental of equipment for sea activities and opportunities to showcase Sarawakian food and culture.
Phase 1, expected for completion by the end of this year, will provide space for commercial purposes, a prayer room and public toilet.
There will be 10 food stalls, six commercial shops, five retail shops, two restaurants, business centre, multi-purpose hall, recreational centre, bus lay-by, parking bays, children playground, multi-purpose open lawn, arts and crafts gallery, sea sports and bicycle kiosks, exhibition area and audio visual room.
The project will turn the existing not-easily accessible seafront into an oasis of leisure and recreation that visitors and locals can enjoy and be in touch with the beach and South China Sea.
The commercial units in the recreational park are only for rental.
For details, contact Narawi Rashidi at 019-4692211 or Zaini Zainuddin (019-8897872).