Dubai Airport Freezone (DAFZ), under the umbrella of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), has recently inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Zhuanzhuan Group—an esteemed Chinese enterprise specializing in secondhand goods trading. This landmark agreement sets the foundation for a strategic partnership dedicated to developing a cross-border supply chain for secondhand consumer goods flowing from Dubai to broader Middle East markets and beyond.
This initiative underscores DAFZ’s unwavering commitment to advancing the circular economy by attracting innovative businesses to the region and nurturing a globally interconnected, innovation-driven business ecosystem. Such collaborations fortify Dubai’s status as a pivotal global hub for sustainable trade, acting as a bridge connecting Asia, Africa, and Europe within diverse economic zones.
The MoU was signed by Arif Al Khoori, Senior Vice President – Customer Care at DAFZ, and Wang Su, Corporate Vice President of Zhuanzhuan Group. A significant component of this partnership involves Zhuanzhuan establishing its regional headquarters within DAFZ. This facility aims to support a comprehensive supply chain, encompassing recycling, quality inspection, classification, and packaging. DAFZ, in conjunction with DIEZ, will also extend institutional support to streamline collaboration with logistics providers, customs authorities, clearance agents, and distribution partners, enhancing operational efficiencies.
Zhuanzhuan Group stands as one of China’s leading platforms in the secondhand goods market, with an impressive user base of over 400 million registered members and more than 50 million monthly active users in 2024. The company has a robust presence, particularly among Gen Z consumers, and operates over 960 physical stores across 80 cities. Moreover, Zhuanzhuan is at the forefront of promoting initiatives aligned with the circular economy, such as utilizing biodegradable packaging and achieving a remarkable reduction of over 4.1 million tons in carbon emissions.
Dubai’s Vision for Sustainable Trade
Amna Lootah, Director General of DAFZ, remarked, “This partnership highlights Dubai’s commitment to attracting high-quality investments and enhancing its integration into global value chains. It aligns with our strategic objectives to position the emirate as a leading global hub for sustainable trade, reflecting our promise to support international companies in their growth and innovation endeavors.”
She further emphasized, “With this MoU, we are dedicated to streamlining procedures and creating an enabling environment for the growth of the secondhand goods sector, especially in light of the global shift towards a circular economy. We will utilize our capabilities and networks to facilitate Zhuanzhuan’s establishment and operations, supporting its logistics and distribution activities.”
Wang Su of Zhuanzhuan Group expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We look forward to establishing new benchmarks in the secondhand goods trade across the region through our collaboration with DAFZ. Dubai’s advanced infrastructure, excellent trade facilitation services, logistical efficiency, and strategic geographic location make it the perfect gateway to regional markets.”
Driving New Business Models in the Circular Economy
The agreement also outlines plans for co-developing research and specialized working papers focused on the future of the circular economy and secondhand goods trading. This initiative seeks to establish best practices and sustainable benchmarks for the sector, benefitting both parties involved.
DAFZ will extend regulatory, technical, and institutional support to facilitate Zhuanzhuan’s registration and integration within the Freezone, including expediting customs clearance and distribution processes. Simultaneously, Zhuanzhuan Group will ensure its adherence to both Chinese and Dubai’s technical and compliance standards, with potential opportunities to create new entities within its global supply chain network.
This partnership is poised to play a significant role in fostering innovative business models within the sustainable trade ecosystem, aligning seamlessly with Dubai’s strategic vision to expand a circular economy and champion enterprises that leverage innovation to advocate responsible consumption.
This structured article presents a clear and engaging overview of the collaboration between DAFZ and Zhuanzhuan Group, highlighting its significance within the broader context of sustainable trade and circular economies. Each paragraph focuses on a specific aspect, ensuring a coherent and informative reading experience.
