MP Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav calls ‘Bharat Mart’ a gateway to global trade

On the third day of his official visit to Dubai, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav held a high-level meeting with senior executives from DP World and Jebel Ali Free Zone (JAFZA).

The central focus of the discussions was the Bharat Mart project and the logistics infrastructure required to connect Indian MSMEs with global markets.

The initiative is being hailed as a major milestone in the effort to integrate Indian small businesses into international trade networks.

Bharat Mart: A Strategic Gateway to Global Trade

Describing the project’s potential, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav called Bharat Mart a “gateway to global trade” and highlighted its critical role in promoting Indian exports, especially in food processing, agriculture, and handicrafts, to key markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. He added, “Through Bharat Mart, our state will become a strong link in the global supply chain.”

Bharat Mart, slated to open in 2026, is set to provide direct market access to MSMEs and is expected to be a significant step forward in advancing India’s ‘Local to Global’ vision.

India-UAE Trade Ties Strengthened Through Bharat Mart

Located within Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone and developed over 2.7 million square feet, Bharat Mart is a multi-faceted international trade hub being built by DP World. The project includes over 1,500 showrooms, modern warehouses, and office spaces tailored for Indian exporters.

The foundation stone for Bharat Mart was jointly laid by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in February 2024. The facility aims to simplify the export journey for Indian MSMEs by offering a world-class platform to showcase and sell their goods abroad.

Seamless Logistics from Madhya Pradesh to Dubai

Key to this integration is uninterrupted logistics support. The meeting included detailed discussions on the proposed DP World rail terminal in Madhya Pradesh and the Ujjain–Nagda route, identified as critical infrastructure for ensuring fast and cost-effective shipment of goods from the state to Bharat Mart.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav underlined the broader significance of the initiative, stating, “Our government considers this journey not just about trade, but as a foundation for the economic future of Madhya Pradesh.”

DP World’s Expanding Footprint in India and MP

DP World, one of the world’s largest port operators, manages over 100 terminals in 78+ countries, with a total handling capacity of 70 million TEU containers.

In India, it operates six terminals across major ports including Mumbai, Mundra, Cochin, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam, along with a network of cold chains, CFS, and EXIM services.

During the meeting, DP World expressed keen interest in developing dry ports and logistics hubs in Madhya Pradesh. These include Inland Container Depots (ICD), Multimodal Logistics Parks (MMLP), and agri-logistics facilities, aligning with the state’s policies to boost infrastructure and exports through PPP models.

With Bharat Mart as the centerpiece, Madhya Pradesh is poised to become a key player in India’s international trade ecosystem — transforming its MSME sector while strengthening economic ties with the UAE.