Gargash Prime and JINGDONG Property signed a partnership agreement on the sidelines of the Dubai Business-China Forum organized by Dubai Chambers in Shenzhen, the Emirates News Agency reported. The two sides will invest in a joint venture to develop land in Dubai spanning 2.5 million square feet into a logistics facility designed as a regional hub for distribution and order fulfillment. The move aligns with Dubai’s strategy to reinforce its role in global supply chains as non-oil foreign trade reached a record 527.3 billion dollars in the first half of 2026 according to World Ports Organization figures.
The agreement comes as the UAE freight and logistics market sustains momentum with the World Research Institute placing the country’s Logistics Growth Index at 52.2 in September 2026 up from 52.1 the previous month. Mordor Intelligence projected the sector to grow from 23.05 billion dollars in 2026 to 31.63 billion dollars by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate of 6.55 percent driven by e-commerce expansion and infrastructure upgrades. CBRE Middle East data shows average industrial rental rates in Dubai rose 12.3 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026 reflecting strong occupier demand and limited high-quality stock in areas such as Dubai South and Jebel Ali Free Zone.
JINGDONG Property operates as the infrastructure investment and asset management platform of JD.com the Chinese e-commerce giant and has accelerated its UAE presence in recent years. The company opened its first smart logistics park in Dubai last June and acquired a second facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone the following September according to company announcements. These steps have enabled JINGDONG Property to support industries ranging from cross-border e-commerce to new energy vehicle components across the Middle East Africa and Europe.
Gargash Prime forms part of the diversified Gargash Group with a focus on real estate development and investment across the UAE. The partnership will combine the local developer’s market knowledge with JINGDONG Property’s expertise in smart logistics infrastructure to create a modern facility tailored to regional trade needs. Dubai Chambers organized the forum to foster business ties between the emirate and Chinese enterprises in sectors including logistics and technology.
The project adds to broader investments in UAE logistics infrastructure with KEZAD Group signing a separate agreement with JINGDONG Property earlier this month to build a 150,000-square-meter facility in Abu Dhabi expected to create around 1,000 direct jobs upon completion in 2028. Such developments support the country’s non-oil economic diversification as real GDP grew 3 percent in the first quarter of 2026 according to official statistics. Industry assessments indicate rising warehouse rents and robust demand for Grade A space continue to attract multinational operators seeking strategic locations near ports and airports.
WAM noted that the joint venture underscores growing collaboration between UAE and Chinese firms in the logistics domain as global supply chains increasingly route through the Gulf. The new Dubai facility will incorporate advanced technologies for warehousing and fulfillment to meet demands from e-commerce and manufacturing sectors. This latest announcement builds on JINGDONG Property’s existing operations that already handle high volumes of goods with reported on-time delivery rates exceeding 99 percent at its current UAE sites.
