Page 96 - DGHR PR REPORT - MAY 2025

5/26/25, 5:10 PM Deal signed to strengthen UAE’s position as a global financial hub

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was also witnessed by His Excellency Essa
Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and His Excellency Saeed Al
Attar, Director General of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum. Their presence coincided with the celebration of the launch of a second financial initiative,
the “Dubai Financial Experts Programme,” a joint professional development programme between the
DIFC and the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development. This programme is
designed to support mid-career Emirati financial professionals in their career advancement.

The two new finance programmes uniquely bring together the expertise of the private, public and
education sectors to build a pipeline of UAE National finance leaders from the mid-managerial level
up to the C-suite.

Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Emirates NBD Vice Chairman and Managing Director, said: “Our new
CFO programme directly contributes to the UAE’s strategic goals, including the Emiratisation of
critical leadership roles, while strengthening our knowledge-based economy, and positioning the UAE
as a global hub for finance leadership, fintech innovation and overall excellence.”

Al Qassim added: “This programme builds on Emirates NBD’s proven track record of Emirati talent
development including our exemplary graduate programs, leadership development initiatives, and
long-term partnerships with some of the world’s leading tertiary institutions. We look forward to seeing
this programme deliver tangible outcomes for the UAE’s finance sector and the broader nation.”

Beyond financial sponsorship of the programme, Emirates NBD will contribute capstone projects,
ensuring practical relevance and real-world impact for participants. Emirates NBD will also provide
invaluable professional insights and executive support, enriching the learning journey of all
participants.

Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of Dubai Government Human Resources
Department, said: “We are extremely committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of
Emirati financial leaders. We will spearhead the selection of 30 exceptional finance professionals
from across the government and private sectors to participate in this transformative programme. We

will collaborate closely on capstone projects to ensure they directly contribute to our national strategic
priorities.”

The programme will be comprehensively promoted across key government and private entities,

complemented by extensive outreach through Emirates NBD’s digital marketing channels.

Pr Bastian Dufilhol, Executive Director of ESCP Business School campus in Dubai, said: “ESCP

Business School, with its rich heritage dating back to 1819 and six campuses across Europe, is
honoured to partner in this strategic initiative. We will design and deliver a transformative, five-month
programme in Finance, leveraging our internationally recognised faculty, cutting-edge curriculum, and
immersive learning experiences, including coaching, mentoring, case studies and simulations, to
empower the next generation of Emirati financial leaders. Our master’s in finance has recently been

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