Dubai has officially broken ground on the ambitious Bharat Mart project — a sprawling global marketplace designed to connect Indian exporters and manufacturers with major international markets. The announcement was made in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal.

Bharat Mart, a project by DP World, will span over 2.7 million square feet and is scheduled to open by the end of 2026. The facility will offer wholesale and retail trade platforms and is expected to become a vital commercial link between India, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.

Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the strategic value of this initiative, stating, “Dubai has invested heavily in world-class infrastructure and built an efficient transport and logistics network that connects us with the world. With over 2,300 Indian businesses thriving in Jebel Ali Free Zone, Bharat Mart will further elevate the UAE-India trade partnership.”

Indian Minister Piyush Goyal described the project as transformative, expressing optimism about its potential to reshape trade flows between the two nations. “Bharat Mart, as part of DP World’s vision, will support India’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in accessing markets in Africa and beyond,” he said. He also praised DP World’s efforts to develop a digital trade corridor in alignment with the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

H.E. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman and CEO of DP World, reinforced the group’s commitment, noting that Bharat Mart will be a driving force toward achieving the shared goal of raising non-oil trade between the UAE and India to $100 billion by 2030. “This project is a critical step in unlocking new markets and promoting sustainable economic growth,” he added.

Located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), the first phase of Bharat Mart will cover 1.3 million square feet and include 1,500 showrooms, over 700,000 square feet of modern warehouses, light industrial units, office space, meeting facilities, and dedicated zones for women-led Indian businesses.

The marketplace will be strategically positioned just 11 kilometers from Jebel Ali Port and 15 kilometers from Al Maktoum International Airport, with close proximity to the Etihad Rail network, ensuring seamless multi-modal logistics connectivity.

Exporters operating from Bharat Mart will gain access to more than 150 sea and air destinations, with trade links to over 300 cities worldwide. This global reach will help enhance efficiency and expand market access for Indian businesses.

JAFZA continues to play a pivotal role in UAE-India trade, hosting more than 2,300 Indian companies. In 2024 alone, 283 new Indian firms established operations in the zone — a 15% increase compared to the previous year, further cementing Dubai’s status as a dynamic international trade hub.