The Dubai International Financial Center (DIFC) announced strong growth across various sectors. A total of 2,003companies were registered with the DIFC by the end of June, up 14 percent on year, reflecting growing confidence, a DIFC statement said. This compares to 1,853 companies that were present as of December 2017. “Our years of outstanding achievements further strengthen the strong confidence that DIFC’s partners from around the world have both in Dubai and the center. We are committed to further enhancing these partnerships as we continue to provide our growing community with an integrated platform for growth,” Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, said in a statement. DIFC’s strategy reflects the vision put forth by Sheikh Mohammed for establishing Dubai as a global destination for innovation and investment. Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a pivotal hub for those seeking greater growth opportunities in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, with an estimated GDP of $77 trillion. According to the report, the number of companies regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) reached more than 614 companies, 493 of which are financial services firms. Commenting on DIFC’s strong growth momentum, Governor of DIFC and Chairman of its Authority Board of Directors Essa Kazim said: “The fundamentals of the Dubai economy, together with the robust infrastructure we have built at DIFC, continue to be the cornerstones of the sustainable growth.” “Guided by the forward-looking vision of our leadership, we have built a sophisticated ecosystem that is the preferred platform for many of the world’s largest and highly respected institutions,” he added. “Committed to shaping the future of financial services in the region, the Centers best-in-class services ensures that DIFC remains ahead of future trends and plays a pivotal role within the global financial system,” he stated. Contributing to the development of Dubai as a global investment hub has always been a key priority for DIFC, and an important component of its 2024 growth strategy. “DIFC is pleased to report an impressive start to 2018. The new clients who have opened in [the] DIFC range from fintech start-ups [that] are supported by our vast ecosystem, through to global industry giants,” Arif Amiri, chief executive officer of the DIFC Authority, said.