DP World Begins Bharat Mart to Boost UAE-India Trade by 2026

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

DP World has officially started building Bharat Mart, a massive new marketplace in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), Dubai. This special hub will make it easier for Indian businesses to sell their products across the world. When finished, Bharat Mart will have 1,500 showrooms and cover an area of 2.7 million square feet. It is expected to open by the end of 2026.

The announcement was made during a high-profile event attended by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. Also present was Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World.

Strengthening the India-UAE partnership
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan said that Dubai’s strong infrastructure and global connections make it an ideal partner for India’s growing trade. He added that Bharat Mart will help Indian products reach global markets more quickly. Right now, there are already over 2,300 Indian companies operating in JAFZA, showing how strong the relationship between the two countries has become.

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A big opportunity for Indian businesses
Piyush Goyal said Bharat Mart is a powerful project that will help Indian businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones, reach new places, including African markets. He also praised DP World’s role in building a Virtual Trade Corridor between India and the UAE under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Aiming for $100 billion in trade
DP World’s Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said that India and the UAE want to reach $100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030, and Bharat Mart will play a key role in hitting that target. He said DP World will continue to invest in top-level logistics and new trade routes to support long-term growth.

What Bharat Mart will offer
Bharat Mart will be a key trading place for Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The first phase will be about 1.3 million square feet and will include:

• 1,500 showrooms
• 700,000 square feet of storage and warehouse space
• Offices and meeting rooms
• A special section for women-led Indian businesses
• Great location and transport access

The location of Bharat Mart is also a big advantage. It’s only:

• 11 km from Jebel Ali Port
• 15 km from Al Maktoum International Airport
• Connected to Etihad Rail

This means Indian companies using Bharat Mart can easily ship their goods to 150 sea destinations and over 300 cities worldwide through air transport. This setup will make trading faster and more efficient.

JAFZA’s growing role in India-UAE trade
In 2024 alone, 283 new Indian businesses opened in JAFZA, a 15% increase compared to last year. This shows how much trust Indian companies have in Dubai as a global trade center.

Bharat Mart is expected to become a game-changer in the India-UAE trade relationship, giving Indian products a global stage and opening new opportunities for businesses of all sizes.