Edition: English | 中文简体 | 中文繁体 Монгол
Homepage > Biz Video

Anniversary of Belt & Road Initiative: Chinese trading hub hums in UAE

Reporter: Wei Wei, Li Sien 丨 CCTV.com

09-07-2016 16:34 BJT

Full coverage: Belt and Road Initiative

As China celebrates the third anniversary of the Belt and Road initiative, we check on how the project is affecting China's trade with the United Arab Emirates. The UAE Economy Ministry says 60 percent of China’s exports to the Mideast and North Africa pass through the country. And its business hub Dubai is now home to one of the world’s largest Chinese trading hubs. Nawied Jabarkhyl reports.

About 20 kilometres from Downtown Dubai, alongside a dusty highway, lays Dragon Mart. Don’t let its modest-looking main entrance fool you, this sprawling shopping complex stretches for over 1.2 kilometres. And inside, it’s all about China.

Its growth has been so rapid, that developer Nakheel claims it’s now the world’s largest Chinese trading hub, outside mainland China.

Dragon Mart also serves a growing Chinese population here in the UAE, there are now over 300,000 Chinese nationals living in the country, an increase of 75% over the last four years.

After the success of Dragon Mart, a Dragon Mart 2 was opened next to it in February this year, with a thousand more shops and kiosks inside. But, it’s struggling to see the sort of footfall its neighbor enjoys, something owner Nakheel claims will change with time. Its opening was even attended by Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed, signifying the importance of Chinese relations, to Dubai’s leadership.

And the plans don’t stop there. Both Dragon Marts will soon be part of Dragon City, an entire residential and commercial district, which will serve as a hub for Chinese trade and culture.

China is now Dubai’s largest trading partner, overtaking India in 2014.

It’s a statistic that’s easy to believe when you’re inside Dragon Mart.

The only drawback here, is that you’re almost certain to get lost.

Follow us on

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Instagram

  • Please scan the QR Code to follow us on Wechat