Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai is rapidly becoming one of the world's financial powerhouses! As other parts of the world go into a downward economic spiral, The Gulf continues to grow and prosper. Many top financial executives from the United States and the UK are relocating to Dubai and other parts of The Gulf...because there is so much more opportunity in The Gulf. There is a popular little phrase going around the business world right now that about sums it all up:

"Dubai, Shanghai, Mumbai...or goodbye."

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the current financial hub for Dubai and the fastest growing financial center in the world! DIFC is a Free Zone that spans 110 acres and its iconic 15 storey building, The Gate, is the architectural signature building of the entire development. Designed by the US architects Gensler, The Gate houses the executive offices of the DIFC Authority, the DFSA, and leading international financial institutions. It is one impressive looking building and has already become a symbol for the limitless prosperity that Dubai offers. Every time I look at The Gate it seems to scream: MONEY! POWER! According to DIFC:

'The DIFC District will comprise several million square feet of ultra-modern office space, and is designed to meet and exceed the most exacting demands of the world’s most sophisticated financial institutions (and the professionals who work for them), regardless of the scale and scope of their needs.'

Furthermore, DIFC, once complete, will be an entire self contained city offering apartments, hotels, restaurants, shops, art galleries, museums....and the entire outdoor environment will be weather controlled to keep it cool during hot weather! DIFC will also have an automated transit system. Basically, DIFC is a financial "Paradise." If you are involved in the world of finance, DIFC is where you want to be!

DIFC will have 6 individual districts:

> The Gate District: The Gate and 6 precinct buildings,
> The Gate Village,
> Park Avenue District,
> Central Park District,
> The Centre,
> Gate Boulevard.

These districts will contain office towers, residential towers and many hotels. Ritz Carlton has already opened a 5-Star hotel at DIFC.

DIFC will focus on 7 different financial sectors:

**Banking Services,
**Capital Markets,
**Asset Management and Fund Registration,
**Reinsurance & Captive Insurance,
**Islamic Finance,
**Ancillary Services,
**Business Processing Operations.

DIFC offers many extremely desirable benefits to those who choose to locate there including:

- 100% foreign ownership,
- Zero taxes on income and profits,
- No restrictions on foreign exchange or capital / profit repatriation,
- Transparent operating environment with high standards of rules and regulations,
- Ultra modern office accommodations,
- State-of-the-art technology,
- Sophisticated infrastructure,
- Data protection / security,
- Operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards.

When I look at the spectacular DIFC and then look at the equally spectacular Business Bay, I have no doubt that Dubai will become a world financial center equal to or even surpassing New York, London and Hong Kong!

Here is a DIFC YouTube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAidbXctOD8

This link takes you to the DIFC website:

http://www.difc.ae/