From ports to green tech, here’s how Dubai is growing into a global trading hub
Dubai is quickly becoming one of the most important places for global trade. With its strong infrastructure, smart policies, and special projects like Bharat Mart, the city is helping more companies connect to markets around the world.
According to Abdulla Al Hashmi, CEO of Parks and Zones at DP World GCC, Dubai is a great place to test and launch new products. That’s because people from over 200 nationalities live there, and the city has excellent systems for global businesses to grow.
Rishab Kapoor, who started Ray Holding, says Dubai offers more than just a good location. Its strong mix of sea, air, and land networks makes it easy for companies to move goods around the world. The Dubai Logistics Corridor connects Jebel Ali Port, Al Maktoum International Airport, and roads to reach over 300 cities and 3.5 billion people, which equals 65% of global GDP.
Dubai: A Top Logistics Hub
Dubai was ranked 7th in the world on the 2023 World Bank Logistics Performance Index, with a score of 4.0. This shows how smooth, fast, and well-managed Dubai’s logistics are. Its rise is powered by three key areas:
1. Perfect Location and Great Infrastructure
Dubai is in a special spot between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Its ports and airports are among the busiest, like Jebel Ali Port and Dubai South. These places help companies store, pack, and ship goods easily.
Special zones like Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA) and National Industries Park support industries from car trade to factory work. In 2019, trade through Jebel Ali was $99 billion, and by 2024, it jumped to $190 billion.
Big names like Eaton (USA), A-Heat (Germany), and Global Surfaces (India) are already building products in Dubai’s free zones.
2. Smart Policies and New Tech
Dubai wants to grow its non-oil economy, and its Dubai Economic Agenda includes big plans for transport. The goal is to increase land transport’s impact to AED 16.8 billion by 2030.
Hashmi and Kapoor both believe that technology like AI, blockchain, and automation will help. For example:
- DP World uses AI to forecast demand
- Blockchain helps with faster contracts
- DHL is testing drones and real-time tracking
Dubai is also focused on the environment. JAFZA has the largest solar rooftop project in the Middle East. Plus, DP World runs on solar power and is building green warehouses to cut pollution.
3. Global Reach and Trade Agreements
The UAE’s CEPA agreements (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements) with countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe are making trade easier by reducing or removing duties.
Jean Shahdadpuri, CEO of Nikai Group, points to the CEPA with India, which helped trade between the two countries grow by 15% every year, reaching $83.7 billion.
DP World is also building trade links with places like India, Turkey, Africa, and the Gulf region, which lets companies produce in Dubai and export easily.
Dubai South: A City Built for Trade
Kapoor explains why his company, Ray Holding, picked Dubai as its main base. The city’s Dubai South area includes the Al Maktoum Airport, zones for aviation and logistics, and even facilities for luxury jets. This makes it easy to manage cargo and airplane services in one place.
Big Chances for Indian Businesses
Saurabh Goyal, CEO of Xindus, says that Indian companies can benefit in three ways:
- Use Dubai’s bonded warehouses to store and ship goods to Africa and Europe
- Sell directly to Dubai’s diverse and wealthy population
- Build businesses in Dubai’s free zones to access tools and tax benefits
Bharat Mart, which will open by end of 2026, is one such project made just for Indian sellers. It will offer everything from warehousing to customs help, making it easy to export.
Already, 25% of businesses in JAFZA are Indian. Dubai is also offering subsidies and support to help more Indian companies set up there.
Dubai’s Trade Future Looks Bright
As the world deals with problems like high prices and supply delays, Dubai is moving ahead with a focus on infrastructure, digital tools, and open trade. With solid rules, low taxes, and friendly policies, it is becoming the go-to place for new markets, agri-tech, and manufacturing.