The Financial Sector

The UAE Central Bank, established in Abu Dhabi, regulates the banking and monetary system. The are approximately 50 banks in the UAE with over 300 branches and strict control by the Central Bank has resulted in a growing financial sector exhibiting the key facets of competition and transparency typical of larger economies.

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has been established as an on-shore financial free zone focusing on several sectors of financial activity: Banking Services (Investment Banking, Corporate Banking & Private Banking); Capital Markets (Equity, Debt Instruments, Derivatives and Commodity Trading); Asset Management and Fund Registration; Insurance and Reinsurance; Islamic Finance; Business Processing Operations and Ancillary Services.

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) regulates financial services in the DIFC to international standards.