DUBAI: DP World has officially started building Bharat Mart, a massive 2.7 million sq. ft. trading hub in Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), aimed at powering trade between Indian businesses and global markets. The project, hailed as a game-changer, will strengthen the India-UAE trade corridor and serve as a key gateway for Indian MSMEs.
The marketplace will open by late 2026 and is designed to be both a B2B and B2C platform. The first phase, covering 1.3 million sq. ft., will include 1,500 showrooms, over 700,000 sq. ft. of warehousing, light industrial units, offices, and special spaces for women-led businesses from India.
India-UAE trade corridor, the focus keyphrase, appears prominently across the development. Located just 11 km from Jebel Ali Port and 15 km from Al Maktoum Airport, Bharat Mart offers seamless access to roads, ports, and Etihad Rail. Businesses will be plugged into a network reaching 150 seaports and over 300 cities by air.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan praised Dubai’s role as India’s trade partner, noting the rise in non-oil trade and Indian companies in JAFZA. India’s Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, called the project transformative, and highlighted how Bharat Mart aligns with the UAE-India CEPA goals.
DP World’s Chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem confirmed that India and UAE are targeting $100 billion in non-oil trade by 2030, with Bharat Mart as a key driver.
As Indian MSMEs expand globally, Bharat Mart stands as a future-ready platform to fast-track trade, strengthen ties, and unlock new markets.
