Dubai:H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), met with Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered. The meeting focused on global developments influencing the future of the banking and financial sector and explored opportunities for further integration across global markets.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the global financial sector by providing crucial enablers such as a flexible regulatory framework and advanced digital and physical infrastructure. These factors are seen as significant opportunities for financial institutions to expand their operations internationally from the UAE.
The discussions also highlighted Standard Chartered's vision for the future of the financial sector, both regionally and globally. With a strong heritage in banking and extensive expertise from nearly 170 years of global operations, Standard Chartered's network spans Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas, offering sophisticated cross-border services.
The meeting underscored the growth of Dubai's financial sector, where the DIFC plays a central role, especially in innovation. By July 2026, companies specializing in artificial intelligence, financial technology, and innovation reached 1,933, marking an annual growth of 39%.
Sheikh Maktoum and Winters also discussed Dubai's strategic objectives, particularly its ambition to become one of the world's top four financial centers by 2033, as outlined in the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. Winters expressed pride in Standard Chartered's historical association with the UAE and emphasized Dubai's role as a leading financial hub, noting the Group's commitment to exploring new cooperative avenues.
The meeting was attended by notable officials, including Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, and Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism. Standard Chartered operates in 55 markets, with an operating income of $20.94 billion for the year ended December 31, 2025, and is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.