DP World Breaks Ground on Bharat Mart in Dubai to Boost India's Global Trade Reach
Unveiled in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and DP World Group Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the project marks a major milestone in UAE-India trade relations.
Set to open by the end of 2026 in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Bharat Mart will serve as a central hub for Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), spanning 2.7 million square feet—with its first phase covering 1.3 million square feet. The facility will house 1,500 showrooms, over 700,000 square feet of warehousing and light industrial units, along with office and meeting spaces, including dedicated zones for women-led businesses. 'Dubai's infrastructure and connectivity make it a vital trade partner as India expands globally,'
said H.H. Sheikh Hamdan. 'Bharat Mart will accelerate access for Indian goods to international markets.'
Piyush Goyal hailed the project as 'transformative,' and praised DP World's Virtual Trade Corridor initiative under the India-UAE CEPA framework, which aims to scale bilateral trade to new heights.
With direct access to Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Etihad Rail, Bharat Mart will offer seamless multimodal logistics to Indian exporters. The hub connects to 150 maritime destinations and over 300 cities via air, significantly boosting market reach.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem emphasized the goal of achieving $100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030, highlighting Bharat Mart's role in unlocking new markets and driving sustainable growth.
Currently, JAFZA hosts over 2,300 Indian companies—up 15% year-on-year—cementing Dubai's status as a gateway for global commerce.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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