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 Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), recently held a meeting with Rolly van Rappard, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of CVC Capital Partners, a prominent global private equity and investment advisory firm. The meeting, which took place at His Highness’s Majlis in Nad Al Sheba, focused on exploring new opportunities for global financial companies to expand their business in the region and in fast-growing emerging markets.
During the meeting, Sheikh Maktoum emphasized Dubai’s growing position as an international financial hub and highlighted the city’s dynamic regulatory framework and pro-investment climate, making it an optimal base for leading private equity firms like CVC Capital Partners to expand their operations in the region and beyond. He also reiterated Dubai’s commitment to realizing the vision of establishing itself as one of the world’s top four financial hubs, as outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Rolly van Rappard expressed his appreciation for Dubai’s proactive approach in creating a conducive environment for business and investment. He noted that Dubai’s stability, advanced infrastructure, and progressive policies are critical factors that make it an attractive hub for global private equity firms. The meeting was attended by key figures including His Excellency Helal Almarri, Director General of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre; and His Excellency Malek Al Malek, Chairman of TECOM and CEO of Dubai Holding Asset Management.
Also present at the meeting were representatives from CVC Capital Partners, including Özgür Önder, Head of the Dubai Office and Head of investments in Middle East & Turkey, and Ragheb El Rami, Head of Investor Relations & Fundraising in Middle East & Turkey. Established in 1981, CVC is a leading global alternative investment management company with a focus on private equity, secondaries, and credit, managing €186 billion of assets under management.
CVC’s private equity platform alone manages €116 billion of assets and the firm has a global network of 29 local offices. Headquartered in Luxembourg, CVC Capital Partners also has an office in the DIFC. The meeting between Sheikh Maktoum and Rolly van Rappard signifies the growing interest and collaboration between Dubai and global financial firms, showcasing Dubai’s attractiveness as a hub for investment and business expansion.
Overall, the meeting highlighted Dubai’s strategic initiatives to enhance its capital market ecosystem and make it more attractive for local, regional, and global investors. With Dubai’s commitment to becoming a top financial hub and its investor-friendly policies, the city continues to attract leading financial institutions and private equity firms looking to capitalize on the region’s growth and opportunities.