Dubai CommerCity

Dubai CommerCity, the first free zone in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, dedicated to digital commerce, and a joint venture between the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and Wasl Properties, has officially joined the United E-Commerce Federation (UNIEF), an international, non-profit organisation registered in Geneva, Switzerland and headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, as a founding member. The membership marks a key milestone in strengthening international cooperation in e-commerce, digital trade, and cross-border commerce.

The membership agreement was signed during WORLDEF Istanbul 2026 on 13 June, in the presence of Ms. Amna Lootah, Director General of Dubai CommerCity, UNIEF President Ömer Nart, and UNIEF Secretary General Burak Yalım.

As part of the membership, Arjun Sarkar, Vice President of Digital Ecosystem and Partnerships at Dubai CommerCity, has been appointed as the organization’s representative to UNIEF. In this role, he will support the federation’s international activities and contribute to its global network of e-commerce stakeholders.

Dubai CommerCity’s founding membership reflects the growing role of the UAE as a strategic hub for digital commerce, innovation, and cross-border trade. As one of the region’s leading digital commerce-focused free zones, Dubai CommerCity is expected to deliver significant value to UNIEF’s mission of connecting global e-commerce ecosystems, fostering international collaboration, and promoting sustainable growth in digital trade.

Ms. Amna Lootah, Director General of Dubai CommerCity, welcomed the membership and underlined the importance of international collaboration in the digital economy.

“We are pleased to become a founding member of the United E-Commerce Federation, reaffirming our commitment to advancing the UAE’s position as a global hub for digital commerce. This milestone reflects Dubai CommerCity’s ongoing efforts to foster innovation, strengthen cross-border trade, and support the development of a connected and future-ready digital economy. As e-commerce continues to transform the way businesses connect, compete, and grow, partnerships such as UNIEF play an important role in strengthening international cooperation, advancing industry best practices, and accelerating sustainable growth across the global digital trade ecosystem,” Lootah said

Speaking on the significance of the membership, UNIEF President Ömer Nart emphasized that Dubai CommerCity’s participation represents a strategic milestone for the federation’s global vision.

“Dubai CommerCity is one of the most important digital commerce hubs in the region. Its participation as a founding member from the UAE will add strong value to UNIEF’s international network and support our mission to create a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable global e-commerce ecosystem,” Nart said.

Arjun Sarkar, who has been designated to represent Dubai CommerCity within UNIEF, said the membership would create new opportunities for knowledge exchange and international cooperation.

“We look forward to contributing to the federation’s global initiatives and working closely with international partners to support the future of e-commerce,” Sarkar said.

UNIEF Secretary General Burak Yalım also highlighted the federation’s growing international momentum, noting that UNIEF has received strong interest from countries across different regions.

“UNIEF is growing with a strong global vision. We have held talks with representatives and stakeholders from 39 countries and received very positive feedback. Fourteen of these countries have already joined UNIEF as founding members. This shows that there is a real need for a global platform that brings together the key actors of e-commerce and digital trade,” Yalım said.

The signing at WORLDEF Istanbul 2026 also underlined the event’s role as a global meeting point for e-commerce leaders. Bringing together public institutions, retailers, marketplaces, brands, technology providers, logistics companies, and digital trade enablers from different regions, WORLDEF Istanbul continues to serve as a platform for high-level partnerships and international business development.

Through Dubai CommerCity’s participation as a founding member from the UAE, UNIEF further strengthens its international network and reinforces its commitment to advancing collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth across the global e-commerce and digital trade landscape.

Dubai has signed a new collaboration that will strengthen its cross-border digital trade infrastructure in line with its goal of becoming one of the global e-commerce hubs. Dubai CommerCity, the region’s first free zone focused exclusively on digital commerce, announced that it has established a strategic partnership with Dubai Customs, Dubai Municipality and logistics company NAQEL Express.

Under the new collaboration, it is aimed to accelerate customs processes, optimize logistics operations and create a more integrated digital trade infrastructure for companies engaged in international e-commerce.

Customs and Logistics Processes Are Becoming Digital

Together with the partnership model, it is aimed to process products entering and leaving the United Arab Emirates more quickly, reduce operational bottlenecks and accelerate delivery processes. Digital integration systems will be implemented especially to reduce delays experienced in cross-border e-commerce operations.

Abdulrahman Shahin, Senior Vice President of Operations at Dubai CommerCity, stated that the collaboration would strengthen connectivity within the digital trade ecosystem and used the following statements: “This integration is an important step that will enable seamless operations between free zones, regulatory authorities and logistics providers. We are creating an integrated digital structure that supports companies in scaling faster.” Shahin also emphasized that the project was designed in line with the UAE’s “Zero Government Bureaucracy Programme” vision.

Dubai Customs Will Accelerate Processes

Under the agreement, Dubai Customs will make processes more efficient through advanced digital customs systems. It was stated that the authority will focus especially on reducing paperwork, shortening product transit times and increasing processing speed in international shipments. Officials aim to minimize the operational difficulties faced by online sellers when shipping products to different markets through this system.

Emphasis on Product Safety and Regulation

Dubai Municipality will be responsible for product safety, quality standards and inspection processes. While the authority checks whether imported and exported products comply with health and quality criteria, it will also ensure that processing times proceed quickly. Dr. Naseem Mohammed Rafee, Acting CEO of the Environment, Health and Safety Agency at Dubai Municipality, stated that public and private sector coordination is critically important in regulatory processes. The new model is expected to create a more transparent structure for sellers trying to manage regulatory processes in different countries.

NAQEL Express Will Strengthen Last-Mile Deliveries

NAQEL Express, one of the region’s important logistics companies, will also provide end-to-end transportation and fulfillment services in the project. The company aims to increase delivery reliability with its regional distribution network and last-mile delivery infrastructure.

Dr. Adnan Ibrahim Al Marzooa, Deputy CEO of NAQEL Express, stated that a significant transformation had taken place in the operational model thanks to the integration and made the following statement: “Thanks to this structure, which reduces processing times and automates customs and delivery processes, supply chain efficiency and service quality have increased significantly.”

Cross-Border E-Commerce Is Growing Rapidly in the Gulf Region

According to industry experts, the collaboration is seen as an important part of the Gulf countries’ strategy to gain a larger share from the rapidly growing digital trade market. In the Middle East, cross-border e-commerce has recorded significant growth in recent years with the increase in smartphone use, the spread of digital payment systems and the rise in demand for international brands.

The fact that companies operating under Dubai CommerCity will be able to receive warehousing, customs support, logistics and regulatory consultancy within a single ecosystem is considered an important advantage that could accelerate especially SMEs’ regional growth processes.

Dubai Aims to Become a Regional Digital Trade Hub

The new initiative is expected to make Dubai more attractive for international brands and SMEs seeking to enter the Middle East market. With the simplification of operational processes and the strengthening of delivery infrastructure, it is stated that Dubai aims to become a competitive hub for digital trade companies. Experts agree that integrated digital solutions, fast logistics networks and public-private sector collaborations will play a critical role for success in the e-commerce sector in the future.