China's mall in Dubai to see expansion in early 2014

DUBAI - Dubai's Dragon Mart, the biggest Chinese shopping mall abroad, is expected to launch its "Phase 2" in the first quarter of 2014, director of the mall said.

Omar Khoury told Xinhua that the new phase, which includes two stories, will double the existing mall's space to over 350,000 square meters and harbor 490 new outlets -- some of them will be run by global brands.

"As of now, 75 percent of the new phase is already leased out," said Khoury.

The Dragon Mart "Phase 1," which was built in the shape of dragon, opened in December 2004 and has now 3,950 retailers and boutiques.