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Bloomberg launches Future of Finance series in

Middle East

DUBAI/GULF TIME
The Bloomberg Future of Finance event on Wednesday brought together local and international
government and business leaders to discuss the Middle East’s growing influence in global markets,
backed by technological advancements, an expanding private sector, and evolving financial sector
regulations.
Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work
Applications, Director General of the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted the UAE’s rise as a global AI
leader alongside the US and China. He outlined the UAE’s focus on applying AI to government
services, improving quality of life, and building data centers, leveraging advantages such as abundant
energy and political stability. With significant investments in AI projects like genome sequencing, the
UAE aims to bridge the gap between the US and China, while driving efficiency through initiatives like
the Zero Government Bureaucracy Campaign. During the fireside chat with Bloomberg TV anchor
Joumanna Bercetche, he added that responsible AI development and return on investment will remain
key priorities for the sector.
Arif Amiri, CEO of Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Authority, highlighted in his opening

speech how Dubai’s business-friendly environment continues to attract global talent. Its workforce has
doubled to 44,000 since 2020, supported by favorable regulations and strong global appeal. With 60
hedge funds and 44 billion-dollar funds based in DIFC, it ranks among the top 10 hedge fund hubs
globally and aims to break into the top five. These achievements align with Dubai’s D33 agenda to
become one of the world’s top four financial centers by 2030.
The event featured a range of discussions on key trends shaping the financial sector. A session on
wealth and private market investment, led by Sharif Eid of Amwal Capital Partners and Nour
Tassabehji of CdR Capital, explored the UAE’s response to rising demand for sophisticated wealth
management services, driven by economic growth and an influx of high-net-worth individuals.
Discussions on AI in finance highlighted how digital innovations are transforming the sector, with

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