The UAE and India have joined hands to establish Bharat Mart, a pioneering market and trading platform for Indian businesses in Dubai. Unveiled during this year's World Governments Summit in Dubai, the initiative received the endorsement of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the Emirates.

Set to commence operations in 2026, Bharat Mart aims to provide Indian manufacturers and exporters with a cutting-edge trading platform to access global markets, aligning with the target of achieving $100 billion in non-oil bilateral trade by 2030. Sultan bin Sulayem, group chairman and chief executive of DP World, emphasized Bharat Mart's role in supporting initiatives like Make in India and D33.

What is Bharat Mart? Bharat Mart will serve as a pivotal distribution center for Indian businesses trading in the UAE and targeting regional and global markets. Complementing existing facilities in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), it will offer Indian SMEs a platform to export their goods to new markets.

Situated within the Jebel Ali ecosystem, Bharat Mart will benefit from direct connectivity to over 150 maritime destinations and air links to more than 300 cities. The market forms part of DP World's broader trade ecosystem, which includes the Dubai Traders Market, a hybrid retail and wholesale marketplace hosting traders from across the globe.

Located 11km from Jebel Ali Port and 15km from Al Maktoum International Airport, Bharat Mart will feature 1,500 showrooms for retail and wholesale customers, along with light industrial units, office spaces, meeting facilities, and over 6.5 hectares of Grade-A warehousing space.

Driving UAE-India Trade Relations Bharat Mart is poised to reinforce the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement inked between India and the UAE in 2022. The agreement aims to elevate non-oil trade between the two nations to $100 billion by 2030, building on the existing robust trade relationship.

Dubai, serving as a crucial trade hub, facilitated 87% of the total non-oil trade value between the UAE and India in 2022, amounting to $44.9 billion. With approximately 1,500 Indian businesses operating in Jafza, the hub has handled over five million tonnes of cargo valued at $8.6 billion, underscoring its pivotal role in fostering bilateral trade ties.