Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced a new milestone in its Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative by granting the naming rights of Jebel Ali Metro Station to National Paints Factories Co. Ltd., the Middle East’s largest paints and coatings manufacturer. The station, located in the heart of Jebel Ali Free Zone, will now be known as National Paints Metro Station for the next decade.
The renaming reflects Dubai’s commitment to fostering public-private partnerships and turning strategic urban infrastructure into high-impact branding platforms. The agreement was facilitated by Hypermedia, with Mada Media serving as RTA’s authorised concessionaire.
Strategic Branding in a Growing Hub
The Jebel Ali Free Zone is one of the region’s most significant economic clusters, home to hundreds of logistics and manufacturing businesses. By associating its brand with this key transit point, National Paints secures prime visibility in a vital industrial corridor.
Abdul Mohsen Kalbat, CEO of RTA’s Rail Agency, highlighted the significance of the initiative:
“We are delighted to have National Paints join the Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative. The inclusion of this prestigious global company demonstrates the initiative’s success in attracting diverse businesses across the UAE.”
Kalbat emphasised that such collaborations align with the government’s vision to strengthen ties with the private sector by facilitating knowledge exchange and economic development. He added that this cooperation creates jobs, supports specialisations, and contributes directly to Dubai’s GDP growth.
Turning Transit into Commercial Landmarks
Mohamad Al Hammadi, CEO of Mada Media, described the deal as a pivotal move in reshaping transit spaces into commercial assets:
“Through naming rights, we’re not just creating visibility—we’re building strategic brand presence in high-impact urban touchpoints.”
He noted that this partnership further enhances the value of transit media, which is emerging as a powerful tool in influencing consumer behaviour and brand recall in busy city centres.
National Paints Celebrates Decade-Long Commitment
Samer Sayegh, Managing Director and Partner at National Paints, expressed enthusiasm over the agreement:
“This milestone reflects our bold, decade-long commitment to enriching the Emirates’ urban landscape through innovation, sustainability, and high-quality products.”
He added that the naming rights deal honours the company’s legacy, which began in 1969 in Amman and has been deeply rooted in the UAE since 1977. “Our presence on the metro reinforces our leadership as the region’s number one coatings brand,” he said.
Implementation Timeline
From July through October 2025, RTA will roll out changes across physical signage, digital platforms, and onboard train announcements. All external and internal directional signs at the station will be updated to reflect the new name. The rebranding will also be reflected in RTA’s mobile apps and smart transit systems.
This latest partnership reinforces the RTA’s goal of transforming metro stations into not just transportation nodes, but commercial and community landmarks — blending public service with strategic enterprise.
