Dubai Airport Freezone Authority (Dafza) has announced plans to develop the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region’s first free zone dedicated to e-commerce in Dubai at an investment of Dh2.7 billion ($735 million).

A joint venture between Dafza and UAE-based wasl Asset Management Group, the Dubai CommerCity will come up over  2.1 million sq ft area in the Umm Ramool region of Dubai, UAE.

The launch was held in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman of the Dafza and other senior government officials.

It is strategically intended to promote Dubai’s position as a leading platform for international e-commerce and to support economic diversification and smart transformation strategies, said a statement from Dafza. 

Dubai CommerCity spans a total area of 427,000 sq m inclusive of office spaces and logistics units covering 207,000 sq m; a total leasable area of 176,000 sq m; and infrastructure and parking areas over 220,000 sq m, with 4,000 parking slots for its customers.

The free zone is divided into three clusters designed in a modern way to strategically achieve environmental and investment sustainability. State-of-the-art technologies are implemented to provide investors with quality experiences.

The Business Cluster includes 13 office buildings with a total leasable area of 108,000 sq m and a total built-up area of 136,000 sq m. The cluster is ‘Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)’ programme certified as well, said the statement.

The Logistics Cluster, on the other hand, consists of 84 logistic units with a total built-up area of 71,000 sq m and a leasable area of 68,000 sq m equipped with the latest technologies. The main feature of the cluster is its rooftop PVC solar panels for generating clean energy, it stated.

Finally, The Social Cluster is the heart of Dubai CommerCity, with its art galleries, a range of luxury restaurants and cafés, and vibrant facilities that meet the expectations of e-commerce companies wishing to establish regional headquarters in Dubai.

Speaking at the launch, Sheikh Ahmed said the new Dafza venture will add a fresh dimension to Dubai’s commercial activity and help attract more direct foreign investments to the emirate.

It is aimed at establishing a unique and sustainable economy based on growth, innovation, diversification, and competitiveness.