Dubai is pushing to become the world’s leading financial center as DIFC expands
Dubai has strengthened its position as one of the fastest growing financial centers in the world, with Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum chairing a meeting of the highest difc Board of Directors to review the progress of the Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC).
The session highlighted the great achievements underlining Dubai’s desire under the Dubai economic agenda (D33) to be one of the top four global centers by 2033.
Sheikh Maktoumm’s office in Dubai, the meeting reviewed the performance of the Difc Authority, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and the DIFC courts, all of which continue to play critical roles in developing Dubai’s financial ecosystem.
Difc growth
Sheikh Maktoum targeted the difc team for their work in line with the D33 agenda and highlighted the fundamental role of Dubai’s natural environment, advanced technological capabilities and superior financial infrastructure.
This power, he said, reflects the vision of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, to position the emirate as the capital of the world.
He said: “Today, DIFC stands as a cornerstone for Dubai to become one of the top four financial institutions by 2033.
“This demonstrates Dubai’s unwavering commitment to developing a new, financial-friendly Ecosystem, strengthening its leadership and growing role in shaping the future of global finance.”
Dubai financial strategy
Essa Kazim, governor of difc, said: “Difc continues to play an important role in fulfilling Dubai’s ambitions as one of the leading financial destinations.
“As we accelerate the delivery of our 2030 strategy to raise our contribution to the D33 Agenda, Difc remains committed to deepening its contribution to Dubai’s economy and enhancing the city’s global influence.”
The Difc Authority provided updates on developments towards the 2030 strategy, including the expansion of AI, innovation and the Entrepreneur Ecosystem.
Talent development is always a priority, it showed with the launch of the Dubai Ai Academy to train future leaders and “1 million students
The difc has also improved its support for high-growth companies with a new credit initiative, expanded its global reach and celebrated the difc’s employee savings program (dews) exceeding $1bn in assets.
DIFC Woos businesses
The high board noted that difc remains the only financial institution that operates at scale in all sectors, enabling it to attract more than 8,000 companies, including more than 1,000 firms regulated by the DFSA.
As the independent regulator of banking, financial services and markets within the difc, the DFSA now oversees the largest number of financial services firms in the region. It continues to see record numbers of firms seeking accreditation, with double-digit growth this year and new firms being accredited over last year.
A new broadcast approval process was also developed and introduced to manage volume while maintaining high levels of DFSA control.
The Difc courts also reported an unprecedented surge in labor, with claims exceeding AED17.5BN ($4.77BN) this year.
This underscores the strength of Dubai’s common law framework and the reputation of the courts for handling high value, complex commercial disputes.
The Difc Authority, the DFSA and the DIFC Courts have presented the priorities for 2026 which are priorities, to issue a global framework, to avoid legal and regulatory framework, to expand the capacity of the infrastructure, to bind the skills and to empower the financial leaders.
The board also approved the strategy for the growth of the DIFC courts, in line with the D33 agenda and strengthening Dubai’s position as the preferred jurisdiction for global dispute resolution.
The members also emphasized the importance of the Dubai Future for the week of 2026 as a platform to build a financial future and attract further investment.
