Tech giant Amazon is strengthening its presence in the UAE by opening a new fulfillment centre in Dubai that will increase its storage capacity in the country by 70%.

The facility, located in Dubai South's Logistics District, will enable the company to meet increased customer demand and enable businesses to reach their customers faster and more efficiently, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Amazon's operations' network across the UAE now comprises of three fulfillment centres, three sort centres, eight delivery stations and a network of small and medium businesses working as delivery partners.

Amazon is anticipating increased customer demand during the holy month of Ramadan. The company has also recently announced its commitment to host products from 100,000 businesses, including local small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), on its UAE website Amazon.ae by 2026.

"With the opening of this facility, we are geared up to offer even more products to more customers during the busy time of Ramadan," said Prashant Saran, Director of Operations for Amazon MENA.

The facility will feature three kilometres of conveyance equipment, spread across five floors and covering an area of more than 350,000 square feet.

"Supporting Dubai and UAE's agenda for a digital economy, the enhanced capacity will provide entrepreneurs and [SMBs] access to Amazon's fulfillment capabilities and world-class logistics expertise," the statement said.

The company's "Fulfilled by Amazon" offering allows small businesses to store, pick, pack and ship customer orders through the company.

(Reporting by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)

cleofe.maceda@lseg.com