Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) plays a significant role in fostering trade between India and the UAE. The number of Indian businesses establishing a presence in Jafza has seen a remarkable increase, with a 28 percent surge in new companies in 2023 compared to the previous year. As a result, more than 190 new Indian businesses have been established, bringing the total number of Indian companies in Jafza to over 1,500. This growth can be attributed to trade events held in India, which facilitated connections with potential businesses.
Read more: UAE, India forge trans-continental trade corridor agreement
One notable initiative, Bharat Mart, is set to launch in 2026 and has garnered attention at recent trade events. The primary objective of this initiative is to support Indian enterprises in accessing markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. It offers retail space, warehousing, and logistics services. In less than a month, Bharat Mart has generated nearly 3,000 business leads, indicating a positive reception to the project.
Abdulla Al Hashmi, chief operating officer of Parks and Zones at DP World GCC, highlighted the potential impact of the platform. He noted that there has been significant interest from Indian businesses seeking to establish a presence in Jafza and take advantage of the exceptional infrastructure, network, and market access offered. Al Hashmi also stated that with Bharat Mart, there is an ongoing effort to revolutionize trade by creating new pathways that strengthen economic partnerships and facilitate seamless global commerce.
UAE-India strong trade ties
The gathering also shed light on the flourishing trade ties between the UAE and India since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May 2022. This landmark agreement eliminated tariffs for Indian traders, creating an open and efficient environment for cross-border trade.
The effectiveness of the CEPA is further enhanced by DP World’s India-UAE Trade Bridge initiative, launched in 2019. This initiative streamlines shipping between the two nations, reducing costs and time while generating new business opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare.
Currently, Jafza serves over 10,000 companies from 130 countries, with 87 percent of the UAE’s non-oil trade with India flowing through Dubai. Indian companies rank as the second-largest trading partners in terms of volume and fourth in terms of trade value at Jafza.
Jebel Ali’s newly established Agri Terminals facility
Jafza also provides connections to Jebel Ali’s newly established Agri Terminals facility, which started construction in February 2024. This AED550 million complex aims to become Dubai’s largest multi-tenant facility for storing and processing grains for both domestic consumption and export to the wider region. The first phase of the project is scheduled for completion in early 2025. Together, Jafza and the Port offer a comprehensive logistics solution that can greatly benefit Indian companies and contribute to their success.
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