Bharat Mart construction begins in Dubai to boost Indian exports with 1,500 showrooms

In a move to scale up India’s global trade presence, construction has officially begun on Bharat Mart -- a 2.7 million square foot trading hub in Dubai designed to serve as a launchpad for Indian exports to international markets, Khaleej Timesreported.

The project is being developed by Dubai-based logistics giant DP World, in collaboration with the UAE and Indian governments. Known for its extensive network of ports and logistics infrastructure, DP World aims to make Bharat Mart a key driver of non-oil trade between the two countries.

Located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA), the facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.

Often dubbed the "Dragon Mart for India," Bharat Mart will function as both a B2B and B2C marketplace. The first phase, spanning 1.3 million square feet, will feature 1,500 showrooms, over 700,000 square feet of warehousing, office spaces, light industrial units, and meeting facilities. Dedicated zones for women-led businesses from India are also part of the design.

The virtual model of the Mart was unveiled during Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s recent visit to India. Calling the initiative a "powerful testament" to UAE-India ties, he said Bharat Mart would provide Indian goods with faster, more efficient access to key global regions including Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.

Strategic location to supercharge Indian exports

Located just 11 km from Jebel Ali Port and 15 km from Al Maktoum International Airport -- with proximity to Etihad Rail -- Bharat Mart is set to connect Indian exporters to a multimodal logistics network.

This network provides access to 150 maritime destinations and over 300 global cities, ensuring speed, reach, and efficiency in trade.

More than 2,300 Indian companies are already operating successfully within JAFZA, and Bharat Mart is expected to boost that footprint by serving as a centralized platform for showcasing and distributing Indian products across global markets.

Bharat Africa Setu aims to double India-Africa trade

Coinciding with the Mart’s construction, DP World also announced the Bharat Africa Setu initiative -- a new trade corridor designed to double India-Africa trade by 2030.

The initiative will integrate DP World’s ports, economic zones, and logistics parks across both regions, helping Indian exporters tap into 53 African countries and over 260,000 points of sale.

Beyond infrastructure, Bharat Africa Setu will also offer value-added services such as export financing, marketing and branding support, packaging, logistics, and certification -- creating a seamless export ecosystem.

India currently accounts for just 6.5% of Africa’s $430 billion import market. With the support of Bharat Africa Setu, that figure is expected to grow to 12% by the end of the decade, according to Gulf News.