Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) has signed a partnership with China’s Zhuanzhuan Group to build a cross-border supply chain for second-hand consumer goods, positioning Dubai as a gateway to Middle Eastern and global markets.
DAFZ-Zhuanzhuan Agreement
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalised between Arif Al Khoori, Senior Vice President of Customer Care at DAFZ, and Wang Su, Corporate Vice President of Zhuanzhuan, according to state news agency Emirates News Agency.
Under this deal, Zhuanzhuan will establish its regional headquarters within DAFZ. The new operation will handle recycling, inspection, sorting, and packaging as part of its end-to-end supply chain.
Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) will coordinate with logistics partners, customs officials, and distribution agents to streamline operations.
“We are confident that Dubai will serve as an ideal gateway to regional markets, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, trade facilitation services, logistical efficiency, and strategic geographic location,” said Wang Su, Corporate Vice President of Zhuanzhuan.
DAFZ also pledged to assist Zhuanzhuan with the regulatory, technical, and administrative procedures for freezone registration, while supporting customs facilitation and connecting the firm with key Dubai-based partners.
Zhuanzhuan confirmed its compliance with Chinese and Dubai regulatory standards and noted its interest in onboarding more global supply chain partners within the free zone.
The agreement also includes collaborative initiatives to publish research and insights on the circular economy and second-hand industry to promote sustainable best practices.
By the Numbers
Zhuanzhuan is one of China’s leading resale platforms, boasting over 400 million registered users and 50 million monthly active users as of 2024. It operates more than 960 stores across 80 Chinese cities and is particularly popular with Gen Z consumers.
UAE-China Relations
China remains the UAE’s top trading partner, and the UAE is China’s main commercial ally in the MENA region. More than 15,500 Chinese firms have operated in the UAE, with Abu Dhabi seeing a 69.4% increase in registrations in 2024 alone.
Chinese companies have poured over $6 billion into the UAE across retail, real estate, finance, and construction sectors.
In February, a senior economic delegation from Abu Dhabi signed multiple strategic agreements in China, including a partnership with the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government across sectors such as finance, tourism, healthcare, ports, and tech. The group also engaged with major corporations including ByteDance, Xiaomi, BYD, and Legend Holding.
Looking Ahead
Trade between the UAE and China is forecast to reach $200 billion (AED 734 billion) by 2030.
