Dubai has announced a major AED100bn ($27.2bn) expansion of DIFC, with the Zabeel District set to emerge as a global financial hub, further cementing the emirate’s position as a leading international centre.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has launched the DIFC Zabeel District, marking a significant expansion of Dubai International Financial Centre that strengthens its standing as the foremost financial hub across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, while enhancing Dubai’s appeal as a premier business and lifestyle destination.
The DIFC Zabeel District is the region’s largest demand-driven expansion of a financial centre, covering a site area of 7.1 million square feet with a total gross floor area of 17.7 million square feet.
Located in Dubai, the DIFC Zabeel District is expected to deliver a gross development value exceeding AED100bn ($27.2bn).
Sheikh Mohammed said Dubai continues to reinforce its role as a global hub for business and finance through ambitious, forward-looking projects that align commercial growth with a high quality of life, positioning the city as a top choice for global companies and talent.
He said: “Dubai is a story of ambition that knows no bounds, writing its chapters with future-forward achievements and a determination stemming from the belief that building the future is a time-sensitive responsibility.
“In Dubai, we do not wait for change, we make it. We transform dreams into a reality that speaks the language of leadership.”
Sheikh Mohammed added that the DIFC Zabeel District represents a crucial step in advancing Dubai’s financial sector locally and globally, allowing DIFC to expand its capacity to host more than 42,000 companies, a workforce of over 125,000 people, and more than one million square feet dedicated to future technologies and artificial intelligence.
He said the development will also provide cutting-edge spaces for business, innovation, education and residential living, describing DIFC as the beating heart of Dubai’s economy and a vital link between East and West.
Sheikh Mohammed also highlighted the evolution of the financial services sector since DIFC’s launch in 2004, praising DIFC’s leadership for ushering in a new era of global finance and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a world-class financial and investment hub.
