Trade and logistics guide

Key initiatives spearhead logistics sector growth

Dubai’s logistics industry is a significant and fast-growing sector of the UAE economy. According to Mordor Intelligence, it is forecast to be worth US$31.41 billion by 2026, up from US$19.65 billion in 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.41%.

From the world’s largest man-made port to one of the world’s busiest international airport, Dubai has attracted global logistics giants and supply chain specialists, helping transform the emirate into a global hub of trade and commerce.

Part of the Dubai Silk Road initiative, Dubai’s World Logistics Passport is also designed to encourage trade through the Emirate in return for enhanced custom clearances, cost and time savings to increase the ease of moving goods between Latin America, Africa and Asia.

A global first, the Dubai-led freight loyalty programme, which aims to increase opportunities for trade between emerging markets, has attracted the involvement of more than 20 of the world’s fastest-growing economies, including Brazil, India and Mexico.

Globally, the World Logistics Passport enables partner countries to leverage the expertise of DP World’s existing global logistics network of ports and economic parks, Emirates Group’s worldwide Dnata and SkyCargo network, and Dubai’s expertise in Customs and trade governance.

Dubai has also implemented the Dubai Logistics Corridor (DLC), which is a single customs bonded zone covering an area of 200 square kilometres that links Dubai Logistics City - home to Dubai World Central - and Jebel Ali Free Zone. For goods going through the DLC, only one permit is required for sea-air transhipment.