His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), made significant strides in advancing Dubai’s position as a global financial hub during the second Dubai FinTech Summit (DFS).
The two-day summit, organized by DIFC, brought together over 8,000 decision-makers, 300 thought leaders, and 200 exhibitors to discuss the latest innovations and challenges in the financial sector. His Highness engaged with influential decision makers such as Adena T Friedman, Chair and CEO of Nasdaq; Oh Se-Hoon, Mayor of Seoul, South Korea; Nic Dreckman, Group CEO of Julius Baer; and Nik Storonsky, Founder and CEO of Revolut.
During his meetings, HH Sheikh Maktoum focused on exchanging expertise in FinTech innovation, urban infrastructure development, and new capital market opportunities emerging in Dubai. His discussions with Adena T Friedman of Nasdaq explored stronger ties between Dubai’s financial ecosystem and the world-renowned stock exchange. The aim is to enhance Dubai’s stock market volume to AED3 trillion and deepen its capital market ecosystem, attracting investors from around the globe.
Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul expressed interest in collaborating with Dubai in urban infrastructure development and technology. Both cities aim to exchange expertise and best practices to drive sustainable growth and prosperity. Nic Dreckmann of Julius Baer and Nikolay Storonsky of Revolut commended Dubai’s growth as a global financial hub and expressed interest in expanding their presence in the region.
Julius Baer, with assets under management worth CHF427 billion, is a leading provider of wealth management solutions globally. Revolut, serving millions of customers worldwide, offers banking services for retail and business clients. Both companies see Dubai as a strategic location to leverage its advanced infrastructure and investor-friendly policies.
The Dubai FinTech Summit aligns with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to establish Dubai as one of the world’s top four global financial hubs by 2033. The event aims to encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation in the FinTech sector, essential for transforming the financial landscape in the MEASA region.
The meetings were attended by key figures such as His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC; Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority; and Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub.
Overall, HH Sheikh Maktoum’s engagements at the Dubai FinTech Summit underscore Dubai’s commitment to driving financial progress and innovation on a global scale. The city’s strategic initiatives and partnerships with leading industry players position it as a key destination for investors and FinTech companies looking to thrive in a dynamic and forward-thinking environment.