DMCC, the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, plans to expand its state-of-the-art DMCC Tea Centre and DMCC Coffee Centre and its intention to triple output, increase services and boost capacity.

The announcement follows increasing demand from commodity traders to use DMCC facilities to connect with regional and international markets to gain competitive advantage.

DMCC plans to replicate the successful business model behind its tea and coffee operation by building a new infrastructure and logistics centre in JAFZA to attract, facilitate and promote the trade of cacao, pepper, chillies and spices, with the flexibly to expand to other agro commodities including cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin, cloves, ginger, sesame seeds and cashew nuts.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said: “Our ambitious plans to triple our capacity in the near future are strategically anchored in Dubai’s drive and ability to facilitate world trade. Situated at the crossroads of the world, Dubai is perfectly placed to grow its market share for commodity trading, and the import and export of coffee, tea and a whole range of other commodities. To support this ambition, DMCC has developed a solid eco-system of infrastructure and best-in-class services that together, will encourage more businesses to base their operations at DMCC.”

“Together with Dubai FDI, our efforts are focused on promoting the commercial appeal of Dubai to leading global businesses and SMEs from around the world. By driving commodity trade through Dubai, DMCC is also positively impacting vital sectors of the city’s economy including logistics, cargo volumes and aviation. As a result, we are supporting the government’s economic diversification plans while simultaneously contributing 10% to Dubai’s GDP,” he added.

Fahad Al Gergawi, Chief Executive Office, Dubai FDI, commented: “The DMCC Tea and Coffee Centres are truly unique facilities that are testament to Dubai’s unparalleled trade infrastructure and their alignment with the city’s vision. It is such projects that maintain the Emirate’s position as a destination of choice for businesses and foreign direct investment, in turn contributing to the progression and acceleration of Dubai’s diversification agenda. We look forward to working even more closely with DMCC over the coming period to showcase the trade, growth and partnership opportunities Dubai brings to those seeking success.”

The DMCC Tea Centre was opened in 2005 to boost global tea trade through the emirate, and has facilitated the trade of over 320 million kilos since inception. Building on the success of the operation, the DMCC Coffee Centre launched in 2019 – the first-of-its-kind facility in the Middle East – with the view to transform Dubai into a new global hub for the coffee trade.

The DMCC Coffee Centre supports the coffee industry from crop to cup and caters to farmers, exporters, traders, roasters and retailers alike. It offers world-class infrastructure and services for green bean storage, processing, roasting, packing and delivery of coffee to precise specifications. With a view towards training and supporting baristas and local coffee shops, the Centre’s Premier Training Campus, which is Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) certified, offers professional courses in areas such as grading, green and sensory analysis, barista and brewing and sample/commercial roasting techniques.

DMCC is currently in advanced talks to host another International Pepper Conclave as it looks to drive the pepper trade through the emirate. The Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX), a subsidiary of DMCC, is in discussion with its members and the wider trading community on the potential listing of a Black Pepper Futures contract – further updates to follow. – TradeArabia News Service