DP World Begins Construction Of Bharat Mart Trading Hub In Dubai To Boost Indian Business Opportunities

DP World has started building Bharat Mart, a new marketplace in Dubai. This platform will connect Indian businesses with global markets. The project was introduced with a virtual model attended by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Piyush Goyal, and Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. Bharat Mart is expected to open by the end of 2026.

The marketplace aims to enhance trade links between India, the Middle East, and other regions. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan highlighted Dubai's infrastructure as crucial for India's expanding trade. He stated: "Dubai’s world-class infrastructure and connectivity make it a vital partner as India expands its global trade."

Bharat Mart will cover 2.7 million square feet, with its first phase occupying 1.3 million square feet. Located in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), it will feature 1,500 showrooms and over 700,000 square feet of warehousing and office spaces. The facility is strategically positioned near Jebel Ali Port and Al Maktoum International Airport.

The location offers easy access to Etihad Rail, providing seamless logistics for Indian businesses. Through Jebel Ali’s ecosystem, exporters can connect to 150 maritime destinations and over 300 cities worldwide via air connectivity.

Piyush Goyal expressed optimism about Bharat Mart's potential: "Bharat Mart is a transformative project launched by DP World with immense potential and we keenly await its completion." He praised DP World's efforts in developing the Virtual Trade Corridor between India and UAE.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem noted that Bharat Mart will be instrumental in achieving the $100 billion non-oil trade target between India and the UAE by 2030. He stated that DP World is committed to improving trade through advanced logistics infrastructure.

Supporting Indian Enterprises

Bharat Mart will serve as a hub for Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It includes dedicated spaces for women-led businesses from India. This initiative supports sustainable economic growth by unlocking new markets for Indian goods.

JAFZA plays a significant role in India-UAE trade relations, hosting over 2,300 Indian companies. This number increased by 15% year-on-year after establishing 283 new Indian businesses in 2024.

The development of Bharat Mart underscores Dubai's position as a key global trade hub. It strengthens the UAE-India partnership by offering faster access to international markets for Indian products.

With inputs from WAM