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 New York, London in the West and Singapore, Hong Kong 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 1,327 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. 18,521 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 3.0 billion and nominal GDP of US$7.9 trillion. For further information, please visit our website: www.difc.ae, or follow us on Twitter @DIFC.
HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. With around 6,000 offices in both established and emerging markets, we aim to be where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and, ultimately, helping people to fulfil their hopes and realise their ambitions. We serve more than 47 million customers through our four Global Businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking. Our network covers 71 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America. Listed on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by about 213,000 shareholders in 132 countries and territories.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), an international financial centre in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, was established by Federal Decree in 2013 and opened for business on 21st October 2015. In line with the Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision, ADGM is a natural extension of Abu Dhabi’s role as a reliable and responsible member of the global financial community. Strategically situated in the heart of one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, ADGM plays a pivotal role in positioning Abu Dhabi as a global centre for business and finance that connects with the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. ADGM’s three independent authorities, the Registration Authority, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority and ADGM Courts, enable registered companies to conduct business in a zero-percent tax environment and operate with confidence within an international regulatory framework with its own independent judicial system and legislative infrastructure based on Common Law. Established as a broad based financial centre, ADGM’s foundation is anchored on three of Abu Dhabi’s current strategic strengths - private banking, wealth management and asset management and will continually expand its financial services in response to the needs of its businesses and marketplace. Abu Dhabi Global Market is located on Al Maryah Island, a 114-hectare development that is home to world-class business and lifestyle facilities such as the Rosewood and Four Seasons Hotels and Residences, the first ever specialty Cleveland Clinic Hospital outside of USA, luxury retail at the Galleria Mall, grade-A offices spaces to meet Abu Dhabi’s long-term development and economic needs. All these complement ADGM’s international financial centre position as a vibrant destination in the capital city in Abu Dhabi. www.adgm.com
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP is an international law firm with offices throughout the United States, Europe, Middle East and Asia. Our global financial regulatory group is dedicated to helping clients to understand—and to operate within—the evolving and increasingly complex global fi¬nancial regulatory environment. Many of the lawyers in our global financial regulatory group have previously worked at a regulator or a regulated business and all have a deep understanding of the financial services industry and the challenges that it faces. In London, our EU/UK financial services regulatory team are recognised for their expertise in advising clients from around the world on the impact of EU financial services legislation (including AIFMD, MiFID and the Market Abuse Directive). We advise a broad range of financial services firms including investment managers, banks and brokerages in every major financial centre. Our lawyers have significant regional knowledge and experience and understand the differences in approach between regulators and how similar issues translate from one jurisdiction to another. Our key disciplines include regulatory compliance and compliance-related training; structuring regulated and unregulated businesses; regulatory and congressional investigations; corporate governance for regulated businesses; corporate transactions for regulated businesses (including diligence and approval of owners and controllers); derivatives; investigations and enforcement proceedings; insider trading and market abuse counselling; market and trading advice; regulator relations; strategic planning for regulatory change; and bank capital and bank resolution and recovery regimes. Our lawyers’ knowledge, depth of understanding and cross-border experience means that we are well placed to help clients to survive and thrive in the global web of regulation.
SWIFT is an innovative technology company, with strong foundations. As an industry co-operative, we live and breathe payments and securities, and listen and respond to the evolving needs of our Community. Part of our core mission is to bring the financial community together to work collaboratively to shape market practice, define standards and debate issues of mutual interest. At SWIFT making real world change is what we do. Created to solve common issues, we have been a fintech pioneer for more than four decades, and together with our Community of customers and industry partners, we are perfectly positioned to develop tomorrow’s solutions. Innovation is also about driving adoption. Our platform is used by 11,000 small and large institutions in over 200 countries and territories for business critical financial processes. www.swift.com
Willis Towers Watson (NASDAQ: WLTW ) is a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company that helps clients around the world turn risk into a path for growth. With roots dating to 1828, Willis Towers Watson has 39,000 employees in more than 120 territories. We design and deliver solutions that manage risk, optimize benefits, cultivate talent, and expand the power of capital to protect and strengthen institutions and individuals. Our unique perspective allows us to see the critical intersections between talent, assets and ideas — the dynamic formula that drives business performance. Together, we unlock potential. Learn more at willistowerswatson.com.
We cover every link in the investment chain:
Ultimately, clients depend on our members for their financial wellbeing. We take that responsibility very seriously and strive to support them to achieve the best returns possible.