Dubai ranked 8th in growth, development

Achievements of Dubai International Financial Centre, or DIFC, were recognised by the Xinhua-Dow Jones International Financial Centres Development Index 2011, which provides a ranking of 45 international financial centres in terms of development capacity, where Dubai was ranked eighth globally in terms of growth and development and has maintained its status as the leading financial centre between Singapore and Europe, DIFC top executives announced on Monday in a press conference.

Dubai also topped the financial centres in the Middle East in the latest edition of the Global Financial Centres Index.

Around 64 companies joined DIFC in the first six months of 2011, bringing the net total of active registered companies operating in the Centre up to 813; 44 per cent of new regulated companies in H1 2011 came from the Middle East and Asia, 50 per cent from Europe and North America, and six per cent from the rest of the world, according to top DIFC Authority, according to DIFC in a press release.

"In 2010, DIFC focused on developing and implementing its new business strategy which centered on growing our existing client partnerships. We have successfully carried this through into 2011 and have seen the evolution of DIFC continue, adapting to the rapidly-changing environment around us.

"The outlook for economic growth in the region continues to be strong due to the long term fundamentals, particularly its abundance of natural resources and youthful populations, as well as the benefits of economic integration through the GCC Common Market and larger Free Trade Area. DIFC, with its modern infrastructure, free zone status and self-governing laws and courts, is uniquely positioned to support this growth in the region and to continue to be a major contributor to the UAE and wider region economies," Chief Executive Officer of DIFC Authority Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar said.

"2011 marked the beginning of a new phase in DIFC's development as one of the leading global financial centres. We are focused on expanding our existing client partnerships and on attracting new players to drive the development of the financial services market in the region. This has translated in the number of existing clients expanding their presence in the Centre, and the strong pipeline of companies and applications currently being processed," Deputy CEO and Managing Director of Business Development & Services Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, said.

As of 31 June 2011, 813 active registered companies have a presence in DIFC (FY 2010: 792), with 312 regulated and 409 non-regulated companies, and 92 retailers (FY 2010: 313 regulated, 396 non-regulated, and 83 retailers). The growth in number of registered companies remained consistent in the first two quarters of 2011 at around 32 companies per quarter, which is similar to that recorded in the last three quarters of 2010.

DIFC has also built upon its stature as the regional hub of choice for the world's leading companies which is underlined by the geographical diversity of regulated firms operating out of the Centre with 30 per cent from the Middle East, 10 per cent from Asia, 41 per cent from Europe; 16 per cent from North America and three per cent from the rest of the world. DIFC is also home to 18 of the top 25 global banks, six of the 10 largest insurers, six out of the 10 top law firms and eight of the top asset managers in the world.

Operating Review

In spite of the regional unrest and the continued global economic downturn, DIFC continued to grow as one of world's top international financial centres. As of 31 June 2011, 813 active registered companies have a presence in DIFC (FY 2010: 792), with 312 regulated and 409 non-regulated companies, and 92 retailers (FY 2010: 313 regulated, 396 non-regulated, and 83 retailers).

The growth in number of registered companies remained consistent in the first two quarters of 2011 at around 32 companies per quarter, which is similar to that recorded in the last three quarters of 2010.

DIFC continues to attract companies from around the world, with sustained interest from the Americas, Europe and Middle East and increased interest from Asia. Around 44 per cent of new regulated companies joining in the first half of 2011 came from the Middle East and Asia and 50  per cent from Europe and North America, while 6 per cent from the rest of the world, reinforcing DIFC's position as the business and financial gateway connecting East and West.

DIFC has also built upon its stature as the regional hub of choice for the world's leading companies which is underlined by the geographical diversity of regulated firms operating out of the Centre with 30 per cent from the Middle East, 10 per cent from Asia, 41 per cent from Europe; 16 per cent from North America and 3 per cent from the rest of the world. DIFC is also home to 18 of the top 25 global banks, 6 of the 10 largest insurers, 6 out of the 10 top law firms and 8 of the top asset managers in the world.

DIFC's strategy to build a business-friendly environment that supports the growth of its clients throughout different business cycles continues to reap its rewards. In the first half of 2011, a number of clients increased their physical presence and deployed more resources in the region. These include major multinationals who expanded their presence taking up significant additional space within the Centre, such as Standard Bank and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. Other firms have expanded their operations dedicated to the region including Bloomberg. Meanwhile, six companies upgraded their licences expanding the range of services they offer to their clients in the Middle East and North Africa.

Soft infrastructure development

As part of its commitment to support the growth of financial services and commercial activities in the region, DIFC continued to build on its internationally recognised regulatory framework and legal system and to strengthen its offering to clients by fostering international co-operation with counterparties, as well as creating strategic partnerships with international jurisdictions.

In H1 2011, the DIFC Authority signed new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Chengdu Financial City Investment and Development Co, the Korea Capital Market Institute and the Dubai SME. At the same time, the other independent entity under the DIFC umbrella, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), entered into three new MoUs. These were with the Reserve Bank of India, the UAE Insurance Authority, and DFSA Cayman Islands Counterpart.

Moreover, the DIFC Governor and DIFC senior management hosted over 86 high-level delegations in the first six months of the year including a British delegation led by Lord Mayor of the City of London with senior representatives of 20 British companies and a Chinese delegation led by the Beijing Municipality Chairwoman Ms. Wang Lijun. DIFC also hosted a US Congressional Senior Staff delegation, senior European, Nigerian and Sri Lankan delegations as well as the Chairmen and Chief Executives of some of the top international firms from different industries and sectors.

DIFC is also proud to be part of the host committee of Sibos Dubai 2013, the premier gathering of financial strategists and service providers, with a strong influence on banking trends and shaping the future of the finance industry. The event, which will take place in September 2013, will be held for the first time in the Middle East, and is testament to the UAE's position as a global financial and business hub.

As an advocate and supporter of innovation, DIFC supported the launch of two different initiatives in H1 2011 namely the FTSE Physical Industrial Metals Index Series (PIMI) which is the world's first investible, Shariah-compliant physical industrial metals index series, and the Dubai SME 100, the first ever ranking of Dubai's top performing and fast growing SMEs.

Physical infrastructure development

Demand for space at DIFC continued to grow during the first half of 2011 fuelled by the appetite of existing clients for business expansion and the Centre's attraction of new regional and international clients.

Development of DIFC's physical infrastructure continued steadily in H1 2011 bringing the total leasable area, including third party developers, to above 2 million square feet of office space.

Commercial space leased by new and existing companies increased by more than 130,000 square feet in the period.

Occupancy of DIFC's owned commercial offices in the Gate District (Gate Building, Gate Precinct and Gate Village) remains above 95 per cent of the leasable space (total commercial office space: 1,217,259 square feet). Robust demand from new companies and existing clients increased the occupancy within third party developments (Currency Tower, Currency House and Liberty House) to 58 per cent (FY 2010: 44 per cent). Total commercial office space within third party developers is 769,000 square feet.

Total DIFC-owned retail space available as of end of period increased by 41,000 square feet (a growth of 22 per cent), of which 94 per cent is occupied (FY 2010: 71 per cent occupancy). The retail space occupancy has remained healthy with the addition of a new range of retailers offering services that meet the needs of the DIFC community.

Client partnerships

Strengthening its partnerships with its existing clients is DIFC's main priority and it is fully committed to supporting them to grow their businesses and providing them with a competitive environment from which they may expand. During the period, DIFC has participated in different initiatives and high-level events launched by its clients assisting them in their business and marketing efforts.

DIFC is also committed in growing the Centre's community by attracting firms from different sectors and in turn building a complete ecosystem. In the first half of 2011, DIFC launched and completed its global business drive targeting companies from different business and financial sectors in Brazil, the US, Europe, India, China, Malaysia, and Korea.

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