Dubai is moving forward in consolidating its position as a premier destination for global investment

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, met yesterday, in the Dubai International Financial Center, with Todd Buhle, founder, Chairman and CEO of Eldridge Industries, a leading global asset management and insurance company.

The meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation in the fields of investment, media, new technologies and sports, in addition to reviewing the possibilities of developing strategic partnerships that support the investment environment in Dubai and contribute to achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy and consolidate its position among the three most important economic cities in the world.

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that Dubai is moving forward in consolidating its position as a premier destination for global investment, through a flexible economic environment and an advanced legislative structure that supports transparency and stimulates growth in various vital sectors, stressing that the emirate is working to provide all the elements that ensure the ease of establishing and expanding businesses, and provides a stimulating environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

His Highness pointed out that Dubai is not satisfied with attracting investments only, but seeks to build sustainable strategic partnerships with leading international companies, with the aim of creating real economic value that supports comprehensive development goals, and enhances the emirate’s position as an advanced global economic center characterized by flexibility and high competitiveness.

His Highness expressed his welcome to international companies that share visions with Dubai in developing new economic sectors, whether in media, sports or innovative technologies, as these sectors are among the most important engines of sustainable growth and basic pillars of the future economy, which contributes to diversifying sources of national income and strengthening Dubai’s position on the global economic map.

His Highness said in a blog post on the “X” platform yesterday: “Today I met with Todd Bohle, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Eldridge Industries, a leading global asset management and insurance company. We reviewed opportunities for cooperation in investment, media, new technologies, and sports, and we also discussed the future of strategic partnerships that support the investment environment in the country.”

For his part, Buhli expressed his appreciation for Dubai’s distinguished global position in attracting investments and adopting innovation, stressing Eldridge Industries’ interest in expanding its presence in the region through Dubai, which has become a global economic center and an ideal destination for expansion in the finance, media, entertainment and sports sectors.

Buhli pointed out that the company manages assets exceeding $70 billion through its two arms, Eldridge Capital Management and Eldridge Wealth Solutions, and has more than 5,000 employees. It owns investments in more than 100 operating companies around the world, including the media, entertainment, financial technology, insurance, and sports sectors. Its portfolio also includes prominent media and entertainment companies, in addition to owning a number of international sports clubs such as Chelsea Football Club. The Los Angeles Dodgers for baseball, and the Los Angeles Lakers for basketball.

In addition, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum met yesterday with George Al Hudayri, CEO of HSBC International Group, one of the largest financial and banking services institutions in the world.

His Highness praised the close and fruitful cooperation relations that have always brought together the UAE and the leading international banking group, which go back to the 1940s, specifically the year 1946, with the opening of the group’s first branch in the Emirate of Dubai, where the cooperation relations between the two sides witnessed a remarkable development over more than 80 years.

The meeting – which was held in the Dubai International Financial Center – discussed the significant development witnessed by the financial sector in the UAE as it enters a new phase of growth, driven by strategic partnerships with leading global institutions in this field, as well as the impact of adopting innovation, digital integration components and advanced technologies, as means to support this development. The country’s strengths were also discussed, especially in terms of infrastructure, adopting and activating good governance standards, business-enabling regulations and services, and their impact in providing a fertile environment for financial and banking institutions from around the world to expand their business in the region’s markets with all the promising opportunities they hold.

The operations of the leading global banking group in the region were also reviewed, the group’s plans for expansion, and ways to benefit from the supportive features that Dubai provides in this regard, in light of the increasing opportunities accompanying its growing position as a leading global financial center.

During the meeting, His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum stressed that Dubai’s position as a major attractive destination for investments and major international financial institutions is the result of a dynamic, reliable and stimulating environment for financial innovation. His Highness noted Dubai’s keenness to expand the scope of effective partnerships with leading international banks in light of its long-term vision to build a financial environment with highly competitive advantages, flexibility and stimulating growth, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33). The aim is to double the city’s gross domestic product and place it among the top three urban economies in the world and the top four global financial centers by 2033.

His Highness said in a blog post on the “X” platform yesterday: “Today I met with George Al-Hudayri, CEO of HSBC International Group, one of the largest financial and banking services institutions in the world. We discussed the future of the financial sector and Dubai’s role in leading this new phase of growth, by providing advanced digital infrastructure, flexible and transparent legislation, and global partnerships with leading financial institutions, in addition to adopting innovation and advanced technologies in banking services.”

The two meetings were attended by the Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Mohammed bin Hadi Al Husseini, the Director General of the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai, Hilal Saeed Al Marri, and the Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre, Issa Kazim.