Gargash Prime, JD Property sign Dh500m Dubai logistics facility MoU
The 2.5 million square-foot development in Dubai Industrial City will be built in phases starting 2027.
Gargash Prime signed a memorandum of understanding with Jingdong Property to develop a 2.5 million square-foot logistics facility in Dubai Industrial City, with investment exceeding Dh500 million. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Dubai Business Forum in Shenzhen, China, according to Khaleej Times. Shehab Gargash, Managing Director and Group CEO of Gargash Prime, stated the final cost has not yet been fully determined.
Dubai Industrial City development timeline and phases#
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with the initial phase requiring approximately 18 months to complete. The project will be developed over two phases, with a possibility of expanding into a third phase. The facility is planned as a regional distribution and fulfilment hub to support supply chain requirements domestically and throughout the region. Gargash described the project as a completion of infrastructure in the UAE rather than an alternative to existing facilities.
JD Property's regional infrastructure portfolio#
Jingdong Property, the investment arm of Chinese multinational technology company JD.com, manages more than 300 infrastructure assets globally. The firm holds over $16 billion, equivalent to Dh58.7 billion, in assets under management. Carl Chen, CEO of JINGDONG Property, stated the facility will support customers interested in investing and expanding in the Middle East, particularly those connecting with the company's existing ecosystem.
Dubai-China trade and investment flows#
China is Dubai's largest global trading partner. Non-oil trade between Dubai and China increased 118.4 percent from Dh166.4 billion in 2016 to Dh363.5 billion in 2025, according to Sultan Al Mansoori, CEO of Dubai Chambers. Between 2024 and 2025, the figure rose by almost 23 percent. Chinese foreign direct investment into Dubai nearly tripled between 2024 and 2025, rising from Dh1.2 billion to more than Dh3.4 billion. The emirate received 300 Chinese FDI projects over a nine-year period, bringing in a total of Dh6.7 billion in capital.
Dubai Business Forum delegation context#
The MoU was signed during the Dubai Business Forum, an event organised by Dubai Chambers that took place in Shenzhen. The forum featured the largest business delegation outside the country. Dubai Chambers operates its largest office network in any single country in China, with four offices across Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing, and Hong Kong.
Sources2 sources across 2 domains
- khaleejtimes.comKhaleej TimesMoU signing, Dh500 million investment figure, 2.5 million square feet size, Dubai Industrial City location, 2027 construction start, 18-month initial phase timeline, Shehab Gargash and Carl Chen quotes, JD Property's $16 billion AUM, Dubai-China trade figures, Chinese FDI data
- forbesmiddleeast.comForbes Middle EastMoU signing, 2.5 million square-foot plot size, regional distribution hub purpose
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