As global wealth rapidly shifts toward more agile, innovation-driven economies, Dubai has emerged as the epicenter of family office migration, alternative investments, and ultra-high-net-worth residency. With zero personal income tax, strategic access to emerging markets, and a regulatory framework built for next-generation finance, the emirate is redefining the future of global wealth management. In this exclusive interview, H.E. Mohammed Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, provides rare insight into Dubai’s long-term economic vision, its leadership in digital transformation and sustainability, and why the world’s most powerful families are choosing Dubai as their permanent base of operations.
Global Positioning: How does Dubai position itself among global wealth hubs like Singapore and Zurich in attracting UHNW families and family offices?
Dubai has firmly established itself among the world’s leading wealth hubs. The city offers a rare blend of opportunity, stability, and lifestyle that appeals to ultra-high-net-worth families looking for a safe and dynamic base for their global operations.
According to Henley & Partners, the UAE is set to attract the world’s largest net inflow of millionaires in 2025, with around 9,800 new arrivals – equivalent to more than 26 every day. This remarkable momentum reflects growing confidence in Dubai’s role as a global wealth hub and one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations for private-wealth migration.
What truly sets the city apart is its strategic location linking Asia, Europe, and Africa, coupled with a business-friendly regulatory framework that allows 100% foreign ownership, no personal income tax, and highly competitive corporate tax rates. Add to this a sophisticated financial ecosystem, world-class infrastructure, and an exceptional quality of life, and it’s clear why so many family offices are choosing Dubai as their long-term home.
Economic Diversification: What specific incentives or policies are being developed to sustain Dubai’s leadership in finance, tech, and sustainability sectors?
Economic diversification is one of the main pillars of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the foundation of the city’s sustainable growth model. D33 sets an ambitious vision to double the size of Dubai’s economy and foreign trade by 2033, positioning the city as a global hub for innovation, investment, and enterprise.
Dubai’s approach focuses on building a balanced economy driven by finance, technology, and sustainability. In finance, Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a leading global center for capital, wealth management, and financial innovation. Dubai has been ranked among the world’s top four cities for FinTech in the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI),
In technology, initiatives such as the Universal Blueprint for Artificial Intelligence and ongoing investment in digital infrastructure are accelerating transformation across every sector. These efforts are designed to advance the D33 goal of adding US$ 27 billion annually to Dubai’s economy through digital transformation projects.
Guided by initiatives including the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, Dubai is embedding sustainability and responsible growth at the core of policy and planning – from green investments and clean-energy transitions to circular-economy initiatives that promote long-term resilience.
Dubai’s investor-friendly environment, transparent regulation, and strategic location continue to attract leading businesses, entrepreneurs, and talent from around the world. Together, these factors reinforce Dubai’s position as a diversified, future-focused economy – one that is agile, inclusive, and built to thrive in the decades ahead.
Family Office Growth: How has the influx of family offices reshaped the local investment ecosystem, and what new regulations support their expansion?
The influx of family offices has significantly reshaped Dubai’s investment ecosystem. Dubai is home to the highest concentration of private wealth in any Middle Eastern city. In 2024, assets under management in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) rose 58% year-on-year to exceed US$ 700 billion. Today, DIFC is home to over 470 asset and wealth management firms, including global names like St. James’s Place, Rothschild & Co, Ocorian, and Franklin Templeton.
Regulations such as the UAE Family Business Law and DIFC’s Family Arrangements Regulations 2023 provide clarity and confidence for multi-generational wealth management. These frameworks support governance, succession planning, and risk management, making Dubai an ideal base for family offices looking to diversify and protect their assets in a stable environment.
Global Talent Magnet: With increasing global mobility of wealth, what measures are being taken to attract top-tier financial and legal talent to support the ecosystem?
Dubai is committed to being a global magnet for top-tier financial and legal talent. Programs such as the Golden Visa and digital nomad initiatives make it easier for skilled professionals to relocate and contribute to Dubai’s fast-growing financial ecosystem. Combined with a zero personal income tax regime and exceptional quality of life, these policies have made Dubai home to a workforce representing more than 200 nationalities.
This commitment to attracting global expertise is reflected in Dubai’s ranking as #1 worldwide for talent entry in the Kearney Global Cities Index 2024, reinforcing the city’s openness and competitiveness. To further strengthen its talent base, the DIFC Academy and Innovation Hub provide world-class executive learning and legal-training programs, while strategic partnerships and global networking events connect leaders, investors, and advisors from around the world.
The UAE Ministry of Investment’s recent partnership with Microsoft to train 100,000 professionals in artificial intelligence demonstrates the nation’s dedication to building a future-ready workforce capable of supporting Dubai’s continued growth as a global center for finance and innovation.
Digital Transformation: How are blockchain, tokenisation, and digital asset frameworks shaping Dubai’s ambition to be a “Smart Financial Centre”?
Dubai’s ambition is powered by its proactive approach to digital transformation and innovation in financial services. The city’s strategy brings together advanced technologies, forward-looking regulation, and world-class talent to create a future-ready financial ecosystem.
Dubai is continuing to set benchmarks for financial innovation and was recently ranked among the top four cities globally for FinTech in the Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI). The city is also the only financial center in the MENA region recognized as a “global leader with broad and deep capabilities.”
Through initiatives like the Dubai Financial Services Authority’s Innovation Testing License and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority’s comprehensive digital assets framework, Dubai offers a secure and transparent environment for the development of emerging financial technologies. These encourage responsible experimentation while maintaining market integrity and investor protection.
Supported by continued investment in AI, digital infrastructure, and talent development, Dubai is advancing toward its vision of a smart, connected, and globally competitive financial center at the forefront of digital finance.
Sustainability: What role does Dubai’s sustainability agenda (especially post-COP28) play in attracting impact-driven investors?
Sustainability is a defining pillar of Dubai’s long-term economic vision and a key factor in attracting impact-driven investors. Following COP28, Dubai has accelerated its efforts to position sustainability at the core of policymaking, investment strategy, and private-sector engagement.
The DIFC Sustainable Finance Working Group continues to drive ESG integration across the financial sector, while initiatives under the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) and the UAE Net Zero 2050 Strategy are creating new opportunities in renewable energy, green finance, and sustainable infrastructure. These frameworks give investors the confidence that Dubai’s growth is aligned with the global drive for sustainability.
At the same time, family offices and institutional investors based in Dubai are increasingly embedding ESG principles into their investment strategies, reflecting a clear shift toward purpose-driven capital and long-term value creation. Together, these efforts are reinforcing Dubai’s position as a regional leader in sustainable finance and a trusted destination for responsible investment.
Future Outlook: Where do you envision Dubai’s financial ecosystem in the next decade, and how will it evolve to accommodate trillion-dollar family office inflows?
Over the coming decade, Dubai’s financial ecosystem is set for continued expansion, guided by clear policy direction and a strong foundation of regulatory, technological, and institutional strength. The city’s combination of robust legal frameworks, advanced infrastructure, and a culture of innovation will continue to attract global investors, family offices, and financial institutions seeking long-term stability and opportunity.
The Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) provides the roadmap for this growth, aiming to double the size of Dubai’s economy by 2033 and further integrate the emirate into global capital markets. Ongoing efforts to enhance financial regulation, digital infrastructure, and human capital are reinforcing Dubai’s role as a key gateway for international investment.
As financial markets continue to evolve, Dubai’s focus will remain on diversification, transparency, and responsible innovation, ensuring that its financial ecosystem grows in depth, sophistication, and global relevance in the years ahead.
