This news service spoke to Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority, about the Middle East jurisdiction's aims and ambitions.

This news service cannot help but notice how the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the jurisdiction in the Gulf region, has continued to make a splash in the news. For example, in August 2022 the DIFC announced that it had opened a “global family business and private wealth centre,” highlighting how the Middle East jurisdiction is targeting family businesses as a client segment. To illustrate what's at stake, DIFC has said that an estimated AED3.67 trillion (or $1 trillion) of assets will move to the next generation in the Middle East during the next decade.

To explore the developments, WealthBriefing spoke to Arif Amiri, chief executive of the DIFC Authority.

Regarding DIFC’s 2030 Strategy objectives, as far as wealth management is concerned, what are Dubai’s main objectives for the jurisdiction as a regional wealth hub? Are there particular goals that the centre has in mind?
Dubai is the city in the Middle East that has the highest concentration of wealth and the greatest number of people in MENA classed as ultra-high net worth individuals. Some $3 trillion of private wealth is in the GCC and $8 trillion is in MEASA (Middle East and South Asia). This provides the rationale for providing a platform for companies to help people manage their wealth.

We have built the region’s largest cluster of wealth and asset management providers – over 200 are based here and they represent an industry size of $400 billion.

Under our 2030 Strategy, we will continue to help our wealth and asset management providers grow faster than the market and innovate with them to meet the needs of their clients.

More than two years ago, the UAE and Israel signed the Abraham Accord and there has been a lot of fruitful capital/technology/human interaction. From a private banking/wealth management point of view, what examples can you cite of how this co-operation is working? What challenges still need to be overcome? 
Wealthy individuals and family businesses from Israel can now access investment opportunities through Dubai and DIFC-based wealth and asset managers that previously weren’t available to them.

At a fintech and innovation level, some of our startups are also learning from those in Israel and vice versa to see how they can better serve the needs of people with private wealth.

The DIFC’s recent move to launch a global family business and private wealth centre is clearly designed to make Dubai a go-to place for family offices and family-run firms. Can you talk a bit about how Dubai intends to differentiate itself from other jurisdictions in attracting this sort of business and client?
DIFC has more experience in supporting family businesses than any other financial centre in the region. Our experience allows us to understand how we can help them thrive. This is especially important as many family businesses need help with succession planning, knowing how to manage disputes that may arise and structuring their business assets – all of which DIFC is well versed in. 

We are also differentiating by providing assurance mechanisms such as accreditation for professional service providers and certifications for family businesses. So that family businesses can remain focused on their businesses, we are putting incentives in place, streamlining processes, and providing relationship management support and concierge services.

In our reporting on the DIFC’s work to attract family offices, etc, it was noted that only 20 per cent of family businesses are managed by the third generation in the Middle East. How big an issue is family succession and planning in the region? What can be done to improve the situation? 
Succession planning is a big area of focus for the DIFC Family Wealth Centre for the reason you mention. The great wealth transition is happening with families globally – and especially in the Middle East. This is best supported by advisors and professionals who are well versed in helping families manage transitions – and DIFC has a vast pool of experts in this space.

Are there innovations in wealth and business structures (trusts, limited partnerships, etc) that the jurisdiction is looking at to attract more business and compete more against rival IFCs? If so, any hints about what is in the works?
DIFC has a broad range of proven company structures. These include family office offerings, holding companies, prescribed company vehicles, management offices, proprietary investment companies and trust and foundation structures. We are focused on providing the right structures' fit for the right circumstances which allow users to grow effectively and contribute to our economies.