Bharat Mart Dubai: DP World breaks ground on India’s mega trade gateway in UAE and beyond
Crown Prince inaugurates Nhava Sheva Business Park in Mumbai
DUBAI: In a milestone week for India-UAE trade relations, DP World broke ground on Bharat Mart, a colossal trading hub in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), while simultaneously inaugurating the Nhava Sheva Business Park (NSBP) near Mumbai, India.
The dual developments underscore the deepening economic ties between the two nations and mark a strategic leap in bilateral infrastructure collaboration under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The announcements were made during the official visit of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, to India. His Highness unveiled the virtual model of Bharat Mart in Dubai and inaugurated the NSBP in Mumbai, further cementing the bilateral commitment to facilitating global trade through cutting-edge logistics ecosystems.
Bharat Mart Dubai
DP World has commenced construction of Bharat Mart, a business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) marketplace strategically located in JAFZA, set to open by the end of 2026. Once fully operational, the facility will span 2.7 million square feet, with the initial phase covering 1.3 million square feet.
Speaking at the unveiling, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said: “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.”
The hub will feature 1,500 showrooms, over 700,000 square feet of warehousing, light industrial units, modern office spaces, and meeting facilities. A dedicated area will be allocated for women-led Indian businesses, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship.
Positioned just 11 km from Jebel Ali Port, 15 km from Al Maktoum International Airport, and directly linked to Etihad Rail, Bharat Mart will give Indian exporters access to 150 maritime destinations and air routes to over 300 global cities, dramatically improving market reach and delivery efficiency.
India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, called the project “transformative” and highlighted its role in expanding access for Indian MSMEs to emerging markets, particularly across Africa and the Middle East.
DP World’s Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem reinforced the ambition to drive non-oil trade between India and the UAE to USD 100 billion by 2030, positioning Bharat Mart as a cornerstone in that journey.
“DP World remains committed to enhancing trade by developing world-class logistics infrastructure, unlocking new markets, and supporting sustainable economic growth,” he said.
JAFZA, which now hosts over 2,300 Indian companies, has seen 15 percent year-on-year growth following the registration of 283 new Indian businesses in 2024, illustrating Dubai’s growing importance as a trade facilitator for Indian enterprises.
Nhava Sheva Business Park
Meanwhile in India, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurated DP World’s Nhava Sheva Business Park (NSBP), a Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) developed near Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority. The event marked a pivotal moment in the rollout of India’s integrated logistics infrastructure aligned with international standards.
“The establishment of world-class logistics infrastructure, such as the Nhava Sheva Business Park, not only strengthens the trade connectivity between our nations but also reinforces our shared vision for growth, innovation, and sustainability,” said the Crown Prince.
NSBP spans 1 million square feet, with another 1 million square feet under planning. The facility includes temperature-controlled warehousing and value-added services, catering to sectors such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food exports. As part of DP World’s global FTWZ network – which includes hubs in Chennai and Kochi – NSBP is integrated with JAFZA, facilitating seamless cargo movement across the UAE-India corridor.
The park has also received Platinum certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), recognising its sustainable design and operational practices. Its location near the Navi Mumbai Airport, national highways, and India’s busiest seaport positions it as a prime logistics node for international trade.
During the inauguration, thirty-five women recruited from local communities operated the first shift at the site, highlighting DP World’s efforts in promoting inclusive employment. The initiative aligns with the company’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals across the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) region, focusing on building women-staffed warehouses.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “DP World is committed to building infrastructure that powers global trade. Our investment in Nhava Sheva Business Park further strengthens our infrastructure network in India and will enable us to meet the evolving needs of our large and growing customer base in the country and in the region.”
Global trade synergy
Together, Bharat Mart and NSBP signal a new era of coordinated trade development between India and the UAE. Bharat Mart is set to serve as a global showcase for Indian products, while NSBP enables just-in-time inventory and export readiness from Indian shores.
The dual investments – totalling over US$200 million (Dh735 million) – strengthen DP World’s presence in both regions and reinforce the Virtual Trade Corridor envisioned under the India-UAE CEPA.