Your partner at the Dubai International Financial Centre

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is an “onshore” financial free zone, established to position Dubai as a globally-recognised financial centre. Covering a region from the western tip of North Africa to the eastern part of South Asia, the DIFC serves as the gateway for the flow of capital and investment to and from the region, while linking the financial markets of Europe, the Far East and North America. Supported by a regulatory framework built on the best practices found in leading jurisdictions around the world, the DIFC is a platform of choice for world-class global financial institutions and service providers looking to do business in the region.

Among the benefits offered to participants: zero tax rate on income and profits; 100 per cent foreign ownership; no restrictions on foreign exchange or capital/profit repatriation; internationally accepted laws; a world-class infrastructure; and operational support and business continuity facilities of uncompromisingly high standards. The key sectors of financial activity at the DIFC include: Banking Services (Investment Banking, Corporate Banking and Private Banking); Capital Markets (Equity, Debt Instruments, Derivatives and Commodity Trading); Asset Management and Fund Registration; Insurance and Reinsurance; Islamic Finance and Professional Service Providers.

Doing Business in the DIFC

This comprehensive guide has been prepared to assist financial institutions and ancillary service providers seeking to set up and operate in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers in collaboration with the DIFC, this second edition of the guide has been compiled to provide a more up-to-date understanding of the functioning of the DIFC, the types of financial activities that can be undertaken from within this financial district and recent changes in laws and regulations. In addition to clearly outlining the benefits of doing business in the DIFC, the guide seeks to answer the many questions that businesses may have about the organisation, including its structure, sectors of activity, business licensing and regulatory matters, as well as providing accounting, tax and legal information. The guide also provides useful insights on living in Dubai as well as exchange controls, immigration and employment matters.

If you would like to find out more about the services that PwC can provide to companies seeking to establish in the DIFC, please contact Ashruff Jamall.

Download Guide to DIFC (4.14mb)