Dubai Metro update: Jebel Ali station gets a new name after major agreement
Image credit: Dubai Media Office/Website
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has granted naming rights of the Jebel Ali Metro Station to National Paints Factories Co. Ltd., the region's largest manufacturer of paints and coatings.
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The station, located within the bustling Jebel Ali Free Zone, will now be officially known as National Paints Metro Station for the next 10 years,
Strategic branding partnership
The naming rights agreement was signed between National Paints and Hypermedia, with Mada Media participating as the authorised concessionaire. Mada Media was appointed by the RTA under an existing concession agreement.
The new partnership underscores RTA's broader strategy to integrate the private sector into public infrastructure through its Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative.
RTA hails private sector cooperation
Abdul Mohsen Kalbat, CEO of the RTA's Rail Agency, welcomed National Paints into the initiative, calling it a 'prestigious global company' and highlighting the success the program has had in attracting diverse businesses across the UAE.
'We are keen to expand and strengthen cooperation with the private sector—not only in Dubai but across the UAE,' Kalbat said. 'This aligns with the government's direction to foster partnerships based on shared knowledge, expertise, and economic opportunity.'
He added that such partnerships also support the creation of job opportunities and contribute to both Dubai's and the UAE's overall economic growth.
Metro stations as commercial landmarks
Commenting on the milestone, Mohamad Al Hammadi, CEO of Mada Media, said the partnership with National Paints reflects a long-term vision to transform metro stations into strategic branding and advertising platforms.
'We're not just creating visibility,' Al Hammadi noted. 'We're building impactful brand presence in high-footfall, high-visibility urban environments.'
He said the naming rights investment highlights the growing value of transit media as a tool for consumer engagement and brand recognition in Dubai's rapidly evolving urban ecosystem.
Decade-long commitment by National Paints
Samer Sayegh, Managing Director and Partner at National Paints, said the move reflects the company's commitment to shaping the Emirates' urban landscape through sustainable, high-quality solutions.
'We are proud to partner with the RTA and secure the naming rights of a metro station that is a vital connector in Dubai's world-class transport network,' he said.
Founded in 1969 in Amman, and headquartered in Sharjah since 1977, National Paints has long been a key contributor to the UAE's economic and industrial growth. 'This visibility on the Metro deepens our bond with the communities we serve,' Sayegh added.
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