DP World has officially unveiled Dubai Food District, a bold transformation of the Al Aweer Central Fruit and Vegetable Market into one of the largest and most advanced food trade hubs in the world.

Rolling out in phases from 2027, the mega district will more than double the current market’s footprint to 29 million sq ft, bringing trade, storage, processing and distribution together under one roof. Think cold-chain logistics, smart warehousing, food processing, digital solutions, cash-and-carry zones and even a gourmet food hall.

Announced last year by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the project expands beyond fruits and vegetables to include dairy, staples, gourmet and specialty foods, positioning Dubai as a global gateway for food trade and food security.

Built on Al Aweer’s strong legacy, serving over 2,500 traders since 2004, the district aims to boost efficiency, cut supply chain risks and help food businesses reach markets faster and smarter. With multimodal connectivity to more than 20 global markets, DP World is betting big on Dubai’s role at the heart of the future food economy.

BCD Global, the international expansion platform of Indian-founded real estate developer BCD Group, has entered the Middle East, naming Dubai as its regional headquarters as it pursues its next phase of global growth.

The move marks the first Middle East expansion for the 70-year-old group, which has delivered more than 155 million square feet of real estate across over 300 residential, mixed-use and large-scale developments in seven countries.

BCD Global said it chose Dubai due to the emirate’s economic stability, access to global capital, regulatory clarity and long-term urban planning framework.

“Dubai represents the convergence of global capital, governance and long-term urban vision,” Amit Puri, CEO of BCD Global, said in a statement.

Founded in India in 1952, BCD Group has developed projects across infrastructure-led asset classes, including healthcare, senior living, hospitality, co-living and urban infrastructure. BCD Global will spearhead the group’s international expansion from the UAE, with a focus on institutional governance and long-term asset creation.

The expansion follows a strategic restructuring under chairman Angad Singh Bedi, who has overseen the group’s transition to a zero-debt, vertically integrated operating model.

“The Middle East is one of the defining growth corridors of the next decade, and Dubai stands at its centre,” Bedi said, adding that the group’s entry into the region was intended as a long-term expansion rather than a short-term market play.

BCD Global’s entry comes as the UAE’s real estate sector continues to benefit from population growth, infrastructure investment and sustained inflows of international capital. The UAE’s population is projected to reach around 11 million by 2030, supporting demand for large-scale, institutional-quality developments.

From Dubai, BCD Global will oversee its Middle East and Africa operations, with the wider Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, identified as a key growth market over time.

The UAE Ministry of Finance has introduced a Cabinet Resolution imposing administrative fines on businesses that fail to comply with the country’s Electronic Invoicing System (EIS), reinforcing the nation’s drive for digital transformation and stronger tax compliance.

The rules apply to all entities required to adopt EIS under Ministerial Decision No. (243) of 2025. Companies using the system voluntarily are exempt from penalties until compliance becomes mandatory.

Fines include:

• Dh5,000 per month for failing to implement EIS or appoint an approved service provider on time.
• Dh100 per electronic invoice not issued or sent on time, capped at Dh5,000 per month.
• Dh100 per electronic credit note not issued or sent on time, capped at Dh5,000 per month.
• Dh1,000 per day for not notifying the Federal Tax Authority of system malfunctions.
• Dh1,000 per day for delays in updating approved service providers on registered data changes.

Officials stressed that the resolution underlines the UAE government’s commitment to international best practices and the development of a fully integrated digital economy.