DIFC
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Investment Banking

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Across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, companies are looking to implement more optimised capital structures.

Meanwhile, inbound and outbound M&A activity is maturing, while new financing realities are driving governments to pursue privatisations and embrace public-private partnership. As a result, full-service investment banking services are in great demand across the region.

Serving both banks and their customers, DIFC offers a tried and tested, globally recognised, common-law jurisdiction for investment banks looking to provide M&A and advisory services, project finance, international loan securitisations and other similar services.

The Dubai location puts DIFC-based firms at the epicentre of banking and finance in the region. Investment banks gain direct access to diverse opportunities that also are fuelled by the rising tide of south-south trade and investment.Investment Banking is one of five areas within the Banks and Capital Markets focus at DIFC.

The other areas include Banking, Investment Banking, Brokerage and Capital Markets.

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Advantages of setting up in DIFC

DIFC is the unrivalled financial hub of the region with an established and tested legal and regulatory framework. Safe and stable, Dubai is a global city and business, trade and tourism centre that is fully connected to regional and global markets.

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DIFC is at the heart of regional deal making

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MEASA is increasingly central to the global economy

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Independent risk-based regulator provides robust regulatory framework

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Legal and Regulatory Framework

Although operating independently, the DIFC Authority, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the Dispute Resolution Authority (DRA) serve a common goal: reinforcing DIFC’s principles of integrity, transparency and efficiency.  

The DIFC Authority is responsible for the guiding strategy, ongoing development and overall public administration of DIFC. The DFSA is the globally recognised independent regulator of financial services conducted in or from DIFC. The DRA provides an English-language, commercial common law judicial system, as well as a dispute resolution platform, and other services to deliver legal excellence in the Middle East.

Register in Three Steps

Simple and straightforward licensing, registration and regulation, makes setting up and operating in DIFC fast and efficient.

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01

Discuss your proposed investment banking operations with DFSA and DIFC service advisors

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Submit application documents

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Receive approvals for licenses, visas and consent notifications 

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