DIFC marks 3 years of growth

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) yesterday held its annual celebration under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The celebration underscored the global recognition DIFC has gained as the region's international financial centre. Since its establishment in September 2004, the DIFC has become the world's fastest growing financial hub, comprising almost 500 local and international companies. It has also grown into a community of more than 11,000 dedicated professionals of 107 nationalities, DIFC said in a statement.

"Following the vision of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the DIFC is continuing to play its vital role in driving Dubai, the UAE and the region's next phase of economic development," it said. "Furthermore, the DIFC is gaining a reputation for driving initiatives outside the realm of the traditional financial centre, promoting education, art and culture to build cultural understanding between the region and the rest of the world." As a tribute to those who have contributed to its achievements, a world class extravaganza was held yesterday evening.

The theme of this year's event was "One Voice" — encapsulating how the DIFC is the one place where the worlds of finance, the arts, culture and education come together to speak for Dubai.
The celebration is the culmination of a week of conferences, summits and boutique events, which was held from 17th to 23rd November, featuring a selection of prominent strategists and distinguished experts from both the regional and international arenas. DIFCweek focused on the theme of "Financial Opportunities for the Third Millennium" and addressed a comprehensive range of challenges and opportunities in the world's current and emerging financial markets. Source