Aref Amiri, the Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has stated that American companies have chosen the centre as their preferred location since its establishment in 2004, now accounting for approximately 7% of the financial services entities operating within it.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency, he shared this insight following the conclusion of a delegation from the Dubai Chambers’ recent visit to the United States. The visit included various officials from both government and private sectors, along with the Dubai-U.S. Business Forum, featuring a series of meetings and events. Amiri highlighted that Dubai and the DIFC offer an entry point for American firms and investments to access the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia, a region comprising 77 countries and a total population of about 3.8 billion, with a combined GDP estimated at around $11.2 trillion.
He further explained that as the largest financial hub in the area, the DIFC provides an unparalleled platform for connecting global companies with promising growth markets. Additionally, Dubai’s status as a global centre for talent and innovation positions it as the top destination for American firms aiming for regional growth.
Amiri pointed out that Dubai has established itself as a unique global hub for alternative investments, offering American hedge funds a blend of regulatory transparency and a secure legal environment, akin to those found in advanced financial centres. This also includes direct access to emerging markets with high growth rates.
He noted that nearly two-thirds of the hedge funds operating in the DIFC originate from the United States and the United Kingdom, featuring some of the largest hedge funds globally. Esteemed global companies such as Cambridge Associates, PIMCO, Lighthouse Partners, Blue Owl Capital, and Walli Capital have established their operations in the centre, along with major U.S. banks like Citibank, JPMorgan Private Bank, and Morgan Stanley, which offer investment banking and wealth management services.
Amiri added that the DIFC places Dubai at the forefront of opportunities in alternative investments, facilitated by its advanced infrastructure, robust legal and regulatory framework, and dynamic ecosystem, thus providing a reliable platform that connects global capital with emerging market opportunities.
The centre comprises over 470 wealth and asset management firms, including 85 hedge funds, 69 of which manage assets exceeding $1 billion. This ecosystem represents the largest concentration of alternative investment and asset management firms in the region.
In response to a question regarding current collaborations with American institutions, the CEO mentioned that the DIFC recently announced a partnership with the Institute of International Finance (IIF) to organize the inaugural Dubai Future Week for the financial sector in May 2026. This collaboration combines the DIFC’s vision for driving the future of finance with the global expertise of the IIF.
He also highlighted the centre’s collaboration with the institute to host a working session featuring 50 American and international companies aimed at envisioning the future of non-bank financial intermediation and private credit, which received positive feedback due to the growing significance of private credit and non-bank financial intermediation as an emerging asset class, particularly in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Amiri noted that assets under management in the DIFC are projected to reach $700 billion in 2024, reflecting a 58% increase compared to 2023, with the centre managing and marketing over 10,000 funds.
He pointed out that American firms can benefit from this expanding ecosystem, especially with the rising number of high-net-worth individuals and family offices looking to acquire more clients and manage their assets.
According to a recent report by Henley and Partners, Dubai has the highest concentration of private wealth among cities in the Middle East.