His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, welcomed C.S. Venkatakrishnan, Group Chief Executive Officer of Barclays, at his office in Dubai. Barclays, a globally renowned financial powerhouse, continues to deepen its relationship with the UAE, and the meeting underlined the growing cooperation between Dubai and leading international financial institutions.
Forging Strategic Financial Partnerships
During the discussion, Sheikh Maktoum reiterated the UAE’s commitment to nurturing a world-class financial ecosystem. He highlighted the country’s ambition to sustain its position as one of the most resilient, innovative, and competitive global financial markets.
The dialogue placed particular focus on ways to broaden collaboration between Dubai and Barclays, identifying opportunities that leverage the emirate’s robust infrastructure, progressive regulatory environment, and fast-paced digital transformation. Sheikh Maktoum noted that such partnerships are instrumental in unlocking new avenues of growth that support both regional and global market ambitions.
“Dubai remains committed to cultivating long-term strategic partnerships with global financial institutions like Barclays,” Sheikh Maktoum stated. “These collaborations not only strengthen the UAE’s financial ecosystem but also accelerate our broader economic objectives. As part of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, we aim to double the city’s GDP and position Dubai among the top three global urban economies and one of the world’s four leading financial hubs by 2033,” he added.
Dubai’s Role as a Global Financial Hub
Sheikh Maktoum also underscored Dubai’s growing significance as a strategic platform for international financial institutions expanding their presence in regional and emerging markets. The city’s appeal lies in its ability to offer a stable business environment, progressive financial regulation, and unmatched connectivity.
Barclays, a transatlantic consumer, corporate, and investment banking giant, has long played a key role in global finance. With over 325 years of industry heritage, the bank offers a broad spectrum of services, including personal and corporate banking, credit card solutions, investment services, and wealth management. Barclays operates across more than 40 countries and employs around 85,000 people worldwide.
The bank’s Middle East operations are anchored in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), positioning it at the heart of the region’s financial landscape. The meeting also reaffirmed the DIFC’s growing influence as a magnet for international banking and financial services firms seeking a reliable hub for cross-border expansion.
Strengthening Dubai’s Financial Future
The meeting was attended by a distinguished group of senior officials, including Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai; Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director-General of Dubai’s Department of Finance; Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; and Essa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre.
Their presence reflected the high-level commitment to building strategic frameworks that attract global capital, foster sustainable economic development, and support the UAE’s long-term vision of financial excellence.
