Around one third of these (327) are financial services companies, the latest of which to join include Wells Fargo and Carnegie Asset Management.
Back in 2004, construction commenced on the iconic DIFC Gate Building and the basis for the financial free zones was established throughout the UAE.
Companies that joined in that first year included Franklin Templeton Investments and American International Group.
A good representation of some of the world’s top banks, insurance companies, law firms and asset managers are now present within the centre.
One of International Adviser’s intermediary panel members, Sarah Lord, of Killik & Co, is a member of the DIFC, while other asset managers there include Schroders, Fidelity and Barings.
In its half year report, DIFC governor Essa Kazim said: “Over the past decade, the DIFC has been one of the fastest growing international financial centres in the world and we continue to enjoy a very strong momentum with a soundly established physical, legal, and regulatory infrastructure.
He added that the DIFC had become a “global hub” and that next 10 years will see further growth.
“With the region emerging as a major force in the global economy, the DIFC is well positioned to harness the increasing cross-border trade and investment activity, and continuing to develop Dubai and the UAE as a centre for financial excellence within the region, and the rest of the world. Our focus going forward remains on establishing Dubai as the leading Islamic economic hub and leveraging the major growth of capital markets within the region.”
At the end of last month there was a series of Art Nights at DIFC’s Gate Village and other celebrations are also happening this month.
