DIFC: Advancing the vision of H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum around the world

Part of the strategy in preparing for the launch of the Dubai International Financial Centre is to ensure the DIFC earns elsewhere in the world the credibility it has already achieved in the region. To that end, DIFC’s management has spent considerable time meeting financiers, governments, regulators and business leaders in key markets around the world. Most recently, a senior DIFC delegation developed and built on links with institutions in Dublin whilst the DIFC Chairman, Anis Al Jallaf, sponsored a lunch for the guests of the Institute of International Finance, Ditchley Conference which was held in Paris on the 24 and 25 of June.

Whilst in Dublin the DIFC delegation, which included seven senior staff members and was headed by CEO Naser Nabulsi, met with representatives from the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), the Development Agency of Ireland (IDA) as well as government regulators, leading tax consultants and top financial institutions.

DIFC’s CEO, Naser Nabulsi commented,

“I am delighted at the reception we have received here in Dublin. Our imminent launch has excited the world’s financial community as much as it has energized the regional one, and this is apparent in our meeting here in Dublin. I am honoured to be the messenger carrying H.H. Sheikh Mohmmed’s vision for a truly modern international financial centre to the wider world.”

In Versailles, France, Anis Al Jallaf, DIFC Chairman represented the DIFC at one of the most prestigious events on the financial calendar. The IIF Ditchley Conference attracts the top tier of the global financial community including many Government Finance Ministers, central bank governors and heads of major financial institutions. Attendees at this years event included Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet, Governor of the European Central Bank, Josef Ackermann, CEO of Deutsche Bank AG, Stephen K. Green, Group Chief Executive, HSBC Holdings plc, M. Michel Pebereau, Chairman of BNP Paribas, as well as senior figures from, amongst others, JP Morgan, Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Sir. Howard Davies, Director of London School of Economics, Citigroup and the US Treasury.

Commenting on the meeting, DIFC’s Chairman, Anis Al Jallaf said:

“The IIF is the only global association of financial institutions and, as such, it is vital for the DIFC to be involved. I was honoured to accept the invitation to take part in the conference on behalf of the DIFC, knowing that it would be an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the DIFC case to the most senior people in the global financial industry.”

These visits, along with the corresponding meetings with businesses from around the world here in Dubai, confirm that the DIFC’s mission remains on course and will inspire premier global and regional financial institutions, companies and service providers to operate in the Centre and conduct business in the region. Already many of the leading names in international finance, banking and insurance have stated their interest in the DIFC. Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, Julius Baer, AON and Standard Chartered are some of the organisations, which have already issued letters of intent to the DIFC.