Dubai is the base of Emirates Airline, the UAE’s largest and the world’s fourth-largest by passenger kilometres flown. Its network spans 144 cities in 76 countries, operating over 70 weekly freighter departures from Dubai World Central.

Sea trade is bolstered by Dubai’s three major ports, Jebel Ali, named the best in the region for more than 20 consecutive years, as well as Port Rashid and Al Hamriya. All three of them play pivotal roles in boosting the city’s business and trade capabilities.

Dubai is served by Dubai Ports World (DP World), a global leader in innovative logistics and supply chain solutions. It specialises in cargo logistics, maritime services, port terminal operations, and free zones.

The UAE recently announced Etihad Rail, a 1,200km megaproject that will be a part of the US$100 billion (AED367 billion) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) rail programme. When ready, Etihad Rail is expected to serve 16 million passengers and transport 50 million tonnes of freight.

Trade and logistics | Industries

Dubai - your global trade partner

Trade partnerships
Key partners including China, India, USA and KSA.
Smart networks
World-class support for transport and logistics.
An ideal gateway
Access existing and emerging markets across MEASA.
Competitive landscape
Business, trade, and investment landscape to global economies.

Diverse transport solutions

At the heart of historic and future trade pathways

Dubai has historically been the heart of key trade corridors with Turkey, India, Bangladesh and Africa. A robust India-UAE start-up corridor was established in 2022, further strengthening the business connection between the two countries.

These corridors comprise a significant part of the global primary and secondary asset market. Future plans involve the establishment of more than 400 new trade corridors with cities across Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, elevating both regional economic activity and Dubai’s business influence and strength.

Dubai Logistics Corridor

The upcoming Dubai Logistics Corridor will be a major milestone, bridging critical trade zones such as the Jebel Ali Port, the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority (JAFZA) and Al Maktoum International Airport. This progressive project is set to maximise the city’s logistical operations and promote greater efficiency in the local and regional transfer of goods. Implementing this route is expected to reduce sea-air transport time to one hour from the current four hours and increase Dubai’s logistics efficiency and goods-transport capability by 400%.

US$27 billion

estimated value of UAE freight and logistics market by 2029.

US$7 trillion

projected value of goods and services foreign trade value over the next decade under D33.

Did you know?
Did you know?
Top 10 global largest port
Jebel Ali port is the largest in the Middle East, and the 10th largest worldwide.
Did you know?
Did you know?
Maritime centres
The ISCD Index placed Dubai fifth out of the 20 most prominent global centres for commercial maritime shipping, making it the only Arab city on the list.

Visionary trade initiatives

Dubai aims to become a vital link in the modern global trade network by launching the comprehensive, 50-year Silk Road Strategy. Inspired by the historical Silk Road which connected Asia, Europe and Africa, this initiative is designed to boost global collaboration, enhance sea and air freight and enhance logistical capabilities.

It is a result of the collaborative efforts of Dubai’s airports, seaports, free zones and transportation authorities, spanning nine key initiatives to be achieved through 33 projects. The project will strengthen Dubai’s role as a pivotal commercial hub, attract more foreign investments and enable economic growth and diversification, in line with D33 objectives.

World Logistics Passport

Under the Silk Road Strategy, Dubai has also created the World Logistics Passport (WLP), the first freight programme in the world that accelerates global trade while forging new opportunities across developing markets.

It is expected to revolutionise and enable global transactions by dismantling current trade barriers, reducing international exchange and dealings costs, enhancing global business partnerships, and increasing global import-export efficiency. It covers 40 countries, encapsulating nearly half the global trade system. In 2021, the WLP entered China for the first time, and in 2023, it inked a partnership with Thailand to boost trade across Southeast Asia.