Business & Money | Friday 20 March, 2015 1:55 pm |

Dubai International Financial Centre, the mature global financial hub connecting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) markets with the economies of Europe, Asia and the Americas, today received a 30-member delegation from the Saudi Youth Business Council.

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC and Chairman of the DIFC Authority and Arif Amiri, DIFC Authority Deputy CEO welcomed the delegation and offered an overview of DIFC’s various operations. Highlighting the example set by Dubai’s leadership, HE elaborated on DIFC’s pioneering role in contributing to the region’s business and cultural landscape.

On its part, the Saudi Youth Business Council highlighted its objective to serve as an enabling platform for emerging entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia. The delegation members expressed keen interest in the Dubai business model for the SME sector, which contributes to a large portion of the UAE’s national GDP.

Commenting on the Saudi youth delegation’s visit, Essa Kazim, said: “DIFC is committed to co-operating with the young entrepreneurs not only from the UAE, but from throughout the region. We are pleased to have received the Saudi Youth Business Council, which is representative of the country’s next generation. Our meeting was very productive and we believe that these discussions will benefit both parties in building collaboration for the achievement of mutual objectives.”

The meeting concluded with HE Essa Kazim presenting a crystal gate memento to members of the Saudi Youth Business Council delegation.

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About Dubai International Financial Centre
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, providing a world-class platform connecting the region’s markets with the economies of Europe, Asia and the Americas. It also facilitates the growth in South-South trade and investment. An onshore, international financial centre, DIFC provides a stable, mature and secure base for financial institutions to develop their wholesale businesses.

The Centre offers all the elements found in the world’s most successful financial industry ecosystems, including an independent regulator, an independent judicial system with a common-law framework, a global financial exchange, inspiring architecture, powerful, enabling support services and a vibrant business community. The infrastructure within the district features ultra-modern office space, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, residential apartments, public green areas and hotels.

Located midway between the global financial centres of London in the West and Singapore in the East, DIFC (GMT +4) fills a vital time-zone gap with a workday that bridges the market and business hours of financial centres in both Asia and North America.

Currently, more than 1,225 active registered companies operate from the Centre, including 21 of the world’s top 25 banks, 11 of the world’s top 20 money managers, 7 of the top 10 insurance companies, and 9 of the top 10 law firms. Nearly 18,000 people work in the Centre.

DIFC continues to pursue expansion into new services and sectors within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, an area comprising over 72 countries with an approximate population of 2.8 billion and nominal GDP of US$ 6.9 trillion.

For further information, please visit our website: www.difc.ae, or follow us on Twitter @DIFC.