Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ) has entered into a new strategic partnership with China’s Zhuanzhuan Group, one of the country’s top platforms for second-hand goods, to create a supply chain hub in Dubai for re-exporting used items across the Middle East and beyond.
MoU Highlights
The agreement, reported by Emirates News Agency, was signed by Arif Al Khoori, Senior VP of Customer Care at DAFZ, and Wang Su, Corporate VP of Zhuanzhuan.
As part of the arrangement, Zhuanzhuan will set up its first Middle East headquarters at DAFZ, enabling recycling, product inspections, sorting, and packaging within the region.
DIEZ will play a key role in linking Zhuanzhuan with shipping providers, customs agents, and distributors, ensuring a seamless and efficient operational framework.
“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.
DAFZ has committed to guiding Zhuanzhuan through technical, regulatory, and administrative processes for company registration, while also easing customs and introducing the firm to Dubai’s commercial network.
Zhuanzhuan aims to align with both Chinese and Dubai compliance regulations and will assess how to integrate more global logistics partners within the free zone.
Joint efforts are also planned to publish data-driven insights and studies on second-hand commerce and sustainability, aiming to strengthen circular economy practices.
Company Snapshot
Zhuanzhuan serves over 400 million registered users and 50 million monthly active users as of 2024, with 960 retail outlets operating across 80 Chinese cities. Its primary audience is Gen Z.
Bilateral Trade Context
China is the UAE’s largest trade partner, while the UAE remains China’s most significant partner in the MENA region. Over 15,500 Chinese businesses have operated in the UAE, with Abu Dhabi witnessing a 69.4% year-on-year increase in new registrations last year.
Chinese investments in the UAE have exceeded $6 billion, primarily across real estate, finance, retail, and construction.
In early 2025, an Abu Dhabi business delegation to China signed milestone agreements, including one with the Shanghai government, covering everything from education and healthcare to tourism and technology.
Future Outlook
UAE-China trade is projected to reach $200 billion (AED 734 billion) by 2030, reflecting deepening economic ties.
