Okaz/Saudi Gazette ADDARB: A number of merchants in Addarb governorate claim their business has suffered as much as 80 percent because of bad weather since the start of the summer holiday. Several shopkeepers said there is sometimes no business in summer because of the heavy dust which keeps people at home. The markets are a little active in the evening. The area is considered Jizan Region's northern gate because of its location in the middle of Makkah, Asir and Jizan regions. A number of businessmen in the area said this happens every year. “But these days the economic situation is really bad, to the point that some businessmen neglect their shops because they know no one would venture out,” said Abdullah Alawi. “People do not come out of their houses when there is dust, but it gets better after Ramadan when residents of the high areas come to the region to escape the cold weather.” Ahmad Al-Qahtani, a real estate businessman, said land prices in Addarb have lost 30 percent of their value because of the weather. Many real estate businessmen buy property during this period so they can sell them in spring. However, most owners do not sell their properties during this period because of the low prices, he added. __
