Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has officially awarded the naming rights of Jebel Ali Metro Station to National Paints Factories Company, the region’s leading manufacturer of paints and coatings.
Under the agreement, the station will carry the name National Paints Metro Station for the next 10 years.
Strategically situated in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, one of Dubai’s most prominent industrial and logistics hubs, the renaming of the station marks a significant milestone in RTA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships with leading private sector players through its naming rights program.
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Public-private collaboration
The agreement was signed between National Paints and Hypermedia, with Mada Media participating in its capacity as the authorized concessionaire appointed by RTA under a long-term concession agreement.
The move underscores the RTA’s broader strategy to enhance brand engagement opportunities within its public transport infrastructure, while supporting Dubai’s vision of forging robust public-private sector collaborations.
Phased rollout of name change
The rebranding of the station will begin in July 2025 and continue through October 2025, during which RTA will systematically update:
- External and internal directional signage at the station
- Onboard audio announcements on Metro trains
- All relevant digital channels and mobile applications
Once fully implemented, the new National Paints Metro Station name will be visible across all RTA transit systems, ensuring clarity and consistency for daily commuters and visitors alike.
This naming rights agreement is part of RTA’s ongoing commercialization initiative, which seeks to maximize the value of public assets while enhancing the commuter experience.
Senior officials share optimism
Abdul Mohsen Kalbat, CEO of the RTA’s Rail Agency, said: “We are delighted to have National Paints join the Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative. The inclusion of this prestigious global company undoubtedly demonstrates the remarkable success achieved by this initiative, which had attracted diverse companies and establishments from the business sector across the UAE as a whole.”
Kalbat added: “The RTA is keen to expand and strengthen ties and cooperation with the business sector, not only in Dubai but also across the UAE. This cooperation reflects the government’s approach to consolidating cooperation with the private sector based on the exchange of knowledge and expertise and the provision of business opportunities for this sector, which is considered a strategic partner of the government sector.
“This cooperation also plays a pivotal role in creating promising job opportunities that attract diverse specialisations, enriching the business sector and contributing to the growth of UAE’s GDP in general, and the Emirate of Dubai’s, in particular.”
Mohamad Al Hammadi, CEO of Mada Media, stated: “This new milestone with National Paints reinforces our long-term vision with RTA of transforming metro stations into powerful commercial and advertising landmarks. Through naming rights, we’re not just creating visibility, we’re building strategic brand presence in high-impact urban touchpoints.”
He added: “National Paints’ investment in this station underscores the value of transit media in shaping consumer engagement and enhancing top-of-mind awareness in one of the region’s most dynamic cities.”
Samer Sayegh, managing director and partner of National Paints, said: “We are proud to partner with RTA, to secure the naming rights of a metro station that stands as a key connector in Dubai’s world-class transportation network. This milestone reflects our bold, decade-long commitment to enriching the Emirates’ urban landscape through innovative solutions, sustainability, and high-quality products.”
He continued: “As a company born in 1969 in Amman, Jordan and proudly rooted in Sharjah since 1977, National Paints has long been an integral part of the Emirates’ economic and urban transformation. Our presence on the metro reinforces our position as the Middle East’s number one coatings brand and deepens our connection to the communities we’ve proudly served for generations, and those yet to come.”
