Dubai’s DIFC Sees 16% Rise In Employees

The combined workforce of companies registered within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has growth 16 per cent in the last year, and currently stands at around 14,000.

The number of active registered companies operating within the DIFC also rose seven per cent year-on-year to reach 912 companies at the end of December 2012.

That includes 38 regulated firms – including Bank of China Middle East, Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance and Abu Dhabi Capital Management –111 non-regulated firms and 22 retail outlets, DIFC said in a statement.

Among the regulated firms within the centre, 37 per cent are from Europe, 26 per cent are from the Middle East, 18 per cent are from North America and 11 per cent are from Asia.

“Dubai’s unique proposition and geographical positioning provide unrivalled opportunities in terms of connectivity and accessibility to the thriving Middle East, Asian and African markets,” said Jeffrey Singer, CEO of DIFC Authority.

“The growth we have witnessed within DIFC reflects the ongoing demand among international businesses for a presence in the region,” he added.

Occupancy of DIFC-owned commercial offices in the Gate District stood at 94 per cent of leasable space as of December 2012, and occupancy within third party owned office space reached 90 per cent, the statement added.