Daijiworld Media Network- Dubai
Dubai, Apr 11: In a landmark move poised to reshape India-UAE trade ties, DP World has officially begun construction on Bharat Mart, a massive B2B and B2C global marketplace in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA). The facility aims to streamline Indian goods’ entry into global markets, opening new frontiers for exporters — particularly MSMEs — across the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.
Set to be completed by the end of 2026, the virtual model of Bharat Mart was unveiled in the presence of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and DP World Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
“A transformative platform for global trade”
HH Sheikh Hamdan lauded the project, calling it a natural extension of Dubai’s infrastructure strengths and India’s trade ambitions. “With over 2,300 Indian companies thriving in JAFZA, Bharat Mart will enable faster, more efficient access to global markets,” he noted.
Piyush Goyal hailed it as a "transformative platform" and praised DP World's vision in supporting the India-UAE CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement). “This will help Indian MSMEs scale new heights and expand into Africa and other emerging markets,” he said.
A hub for 1,500 showrooms and women entrepreneurs
Spanning 2.7 million sq ft, Bharat Mart will initially open with 1.3 million sq ft, hosting 1,500 showrooms, 700,000 sq ft of warehouse space, light industrial units, offices, and dedicated meeting spaces. Notably, dedicated zones for women-led Indian businesses signal a clear commitment to inclusive trade.
Strategically located just 11 km from Jebel Ali Port, 15 km from Al Maktoum International Airport, and linked to Etihad Rail, Bharat Mart promises multimodal connectivity. With access to 150 sea ports and 300 global cities, it will significantly enhance logistics efficiency and global reach for Indian exporters.
A $100 billion vision
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem emphasized the project's role in meeting the $100 billion non-oil trade target between India and the UAE by 2030. “Bharat Mart will unlock new markets, bolster logistics, and drive sustainable economic growth,” he affirmed.
The project complements DP World’s ongoing work to establish a Virtual Trade Corridor, linking India and the UAE through seamless customs integration and digitized logistics — making Bharat Mart a cornerstone of future-ready trade infrastructure.
As India continues to position itself as a global manufacturing and export powerhouse, Bharat Mart is poised to become a game-changing conduit, not only accelerating trade volumes but also empowering Indian MSMEs to thrive on a global stage.