Bharat Mart: India's Hub in Dubai

Bharat Mart: India's Global Trade Portal Opens in Dubai by 2026

In the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), a grandiose trade center spanning over 2.7 million square feet, the Bharat Mart, is poised to open its doors by the end of 2026. This special project is intended to redefine international trade for Indian products, connecting them to the Middle East, Africa, and Eurasian regions— all through Dubai's world-class logistics infrastructure.

Elevated Trade Connections

Bharat Mart will cater to both B2B (business-to-business) and B2C (business-to-consumer) needs. The project's key aim is to enable Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to access global markets more easily and quickly, especially targeting customers in the Gulf region, Africa, and Eurasian countries. This massive investment creates an excellent opportunity for Indian manufacturers and exporters to directly present their products to the global market, aided by Dubai's central location.

What to Expect in the First Phase?

The first phase will cover 1.3 million square feet featuring over 1,500 showrooms, 700,000 square feet of warehouse capacity, light industrial units, office spaces, and meeting rooms. Bharat Mart will also establish a special unit dedicated to female entrepreneurs, further encouraging inclusive economic growth.

Strategic Location

The complex is merely 11 kilometers from the Jebel Ali port, 15 kilometers from Al Maktoum International Airport, and directly linked to the Etihad Rail network. This multimodal logistical connectivity allows for fast and efficient transport of goods by land, sea, and air.

Through Jebel Ali's ecosystem, Bharat Mart connects to 150 sea routes, and over 300 international cities through air traffic channels—thereby significantly enhancing market accessibility and logistic efficiency.

Dubai as a Global Trade Hub

The developer behind the project, DP World, has already commenced construction and aims to further solidify Dubai's role as one of the Indian Ocean's most crucial trade hubs through Bharat Mart. The integrated infrastructure, multimodal transport connections, and regulatory environment make the city an attractive target for international investors and exporters.

A New Dimension in India-UAE Relations

Bharat Mart serves not only as a trade center but also as a diplomatic and economic bridge. The project's announcement was timed symbolically: serving as the closing event of a high-level official visit, during which a deepened cooperation between India and the UAE was confirmed. Currently, over 2,300 Indian companies operate in the JAFZA area, and Bharat Mart creates new opportunities for them—all built on sustainable, non-oil trade foundations.

Summary

By 2026, Bharat Mart will inaugurate a new era in the relationship between Dubai and India, promoting economic diversification away from oil and the global integration of small businesses. The project is not just a trading center but an exemplary collaboration that elevates the export of Indian products to numerous corners of the world—all thanks to Dubai's pivotal role and advanced infrastructure.

(Source of the article: DP World Press Release.)