A massive new retail and trading hub showcasing Indian products is set to open in Dubai by the end of 2026. Named Bharat Mart, the facility will span over 2.7 million square feet and will be located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA).
Billed as a game-changer for Indian exports, Bharat Mart will serve as both a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplace, connecting Indian manufacturers with buyers across the Middle East, Africa, and Eurasia.
The announcement was made during Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s official visit to India, where he met with Indian officials to further strengthen trade and economic ties.
“Dubai’s world-class infrastructure and connectivity make it a vital partner as India expands its global trade. With non-oil bilateral trade surging and over 2,300 Indian companies thriving in Jafza, Bharat Mart will further strengthen the UAE-India partnership by providing Indian goods faster access to global markets,” Sheikh Hamdan said.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, confirmed that construction is already underway. “Bharat Mart is a showcase for Indian products to global consumers, especially buyers from the GCC and Africa. It’s a great example of what can be achieved through government collaboration,” he said.
The virtual model of the project was unveiled in the presence of Sheikh Hamdan and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, who praised the project as “transformative” and applauded DP World for creating new opportunities for Indian businesses.
The first phase of Bharat Mart will cover 1.3 million square feet and include 1,500 showrooms, 700,000 square feet of advanced warehousing, office spaces, meeting rooms, and facilities specifically for women-led businesses. The facility aims to support Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by giving them a world-class platform to showcase and distribute their products.
Thanks to its strategic location — just 11 km from Jebel Ali Port and 15 km from Al Maktoum International Airport — and its link to the upcoming Etihad Rail, the Mart will offer seamless access to a global multimodal logistics network. Exporters will be connected to 150 maritime destinations and over 300 cities via air, enhancing the speed and reach of Indian goods worldwide.
With over 2,300 Indian companies already operating in JAFZA and bilateral non-oil trade on the rise, Bharat Mart is expected to strengthen the UAE-India economic partnership further and solidify Dubai’s role as a global trade gateway.
(Source: Wam)
