Dubai Forward to focus on the transformation of the Emirate into a Global Financial Centre

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 13 January, 2016: After two successful annual editions, Swiss group, Academy & Finance, announces the 3rd edition of Dubai Forward, an annual Conference on Dubai as a financial and private banking centre, scheduled to take place from 15 – 17 February, 2016. The conference is designed for international and local senior executives of banks, asset management firms, family offices, fiduciary firms, trust companies and law firms. This year, the conference will highlight Dubai’s evolving economy, its current and future legal and regulatory framework at the dawn of global changes, and how Dubai is bracing itself to transform into a global financial centre as well as the challenges, opportunities and the road ahead. Academy & Finance is honoured to have the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as the main sponsor for the second time.

New to the conference, will be a detailed pre-conference seminar on 15th February that will provide a clear overview for the international audience on the history, political system, judicial system as the onshore, free zone and offshore jurisdictions of Dubai and the UAE. Another uniqueness in the 2016 edition, will be very large detailed and practical panels, on the many regional and international changes that have impacted Dubai, the anticipated changes in 2016 and the strategy of Dubai to serve as a financial centre for the globe and not just for the Middle East, South Asia and Africa by creating a more sustainable post-oil economic model.

“Several recent developments are testimony to the UAE and Dubai’s commitment to keep up with the most demanding international standards. Our objective is to bring together international and local senior professionals to engage in very profound discussions and share insights in key areas with the authorities to better understand what significant steps are being taken to attract foreign private and institutional investors and the strategy being adopted to place Dubai on the map as a leading financial centre.” said, André-Valéry Bordes, CEO, Academy & Finance.

Arif Amiri, Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, Chief Executive Officer said: “In a short span of 44 years, Dubai has grown from a modest trading and fishing settlement to a thriving and vibrant destination that has made its mark on the world map. The business and financial services sector has been a significant driving factor in facilitating Dubai’s development and the economy’s reduced reliance on hydrocarbons. Since inception, the Dubai International Financial Centre has carved a niche for itself by offering businesses the key elements of a best-in-class financial ecosystem. Over the next decade, our aim is to further solidify our position as an established global hub for businesses to access the wider Middle East, Africa and South Asia, and help stimulate trade and investment flows along the South-South economic corridor. Strategic forums such as Dubai Forward, that allow industry professionals to engage in practical discussions, play a key role in achieving these objectives.”

Dubai Forward has been gaining tremendous response over the last two years and has seen growing number of participants both international as well as local. Once again the organizers are looking forward to welcoming delegates not just from the GCC but also from Switzerland, Luxembourg, Cyprus, Monaco and London.