JD.com's infrastructure investment arm plans to establish a major logistics hub in Abu Dhabi’s Kezad economic zone. This 150,000-square-metre complex is expected to create about 1,000 direct jobs, marking a significant expansion of China's online retailer in the UAE. Jingdong Property, the infrastructure investment and asset-management arm of one of China’s largest e-commerce companies, signed an agreement with Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi Group for the warehousing complex at Kezad Al Ma’mourah.
The project's value was not disclosed. It is expected to be completed in 2028, in 2 years, and will integrate automated warehousing systems and digital operations technology. The hub will provide crucial logistics infrastructure for both domestic and international companies, offering customized development services to its customers. Once operational, it anticipates creating approximately 1,000 direct jobs across logistics, distribution, and administrative functions, alongside additional employment in manufacturing, retail, transport, and support services.
Beijing's Expanding Regional Footprint
Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, chief executive of Kezad Group, stated the agreement with Jingdong Property will enhance Kezad's logistics capabilities. He added that this move further cements Kezad's position as a gateway for regional and global trade, while advancing economic diversification, industrial expansion, and sustainable development. Feng Guo, chief executive of JD.com Middle East, described the development as an important step in Jingdong Property’s UAE expansion strategy. He confirmed it would support “fast-moving supply chains” in the region.
Jingdong Property, also known as JD Property, actively invests in and manages logistics parks, business parks, and data centers globally. The company oversees more than 300 infrastructure assets worldwide, covering over 28 million square meters of gross floor area. It manages more than $16 billion of assets.
This latest investment aligns with Abu Dhabi's broader economic diversification strategy, which seeks to attract more manufacturing, logistics, and supply-chain activity into its industrial zones. Kezad, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, operates 12 economic zones across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. It also manages an industrial and logistics zone in East Port Said, Egypt. Its extensive economic-zone network serves more than 2,300 investors across 17 industrial sectors.
Strategic Financial Connectivity
The new complex will also support the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy and the UAE’s Operation 300bn programme, Kezad reported. Separately on Monday, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) announced that Beijing-based China Securities received a license from the DIFC Authority. This publicly listed securities firm and leading Chinese investment bank will establish its regional presence in Dubai's financial center.
The new office will provide China Securities with a strategic base to support its engagement with clients, investors, and financial institutions across the Middle East region. It aims to strengthen connectivity between Chinese, UAE, and international capital markets, according to DIFC. China’s five largest banks collectively account for more than 30 percent of total assets in DIFC’s banking and capital markets sector. Other Chinese companies with a strong presence in Dubai include BYD, Baidu, Tencent Cloud, Huawei Cloud, iMile Delivery, YTO International, Yalla Group, Aridge, China International Capital Corporation, and China Merchants Capital. These developments underscore a deepening strategic economic presence by Beijing in the Gulf.