Dr. Nasser Saidi appeared in an interview with Dubai TV, broadcast on 16th Feb 2025, discussing the strategic expansion of the DIFC that could propel it to become one of the top 4 Global International Financial centres from the current ranking of around 11th-12th globally (and top 4 for FinTech).
The focus on AI, digital tech and Web3 would allow it to compete in new financial verticals where legacy hubs may be slower to adapt. This could allow Dubai to potentially leapfrog London and other centres in specific verticals like virtual assets/ crypto and AI-finance, where London faces heavier legacy regulatory burdens and Brexit-related frictions.
Also discussed is the findings of the Global Economic Diversification Index (EDI), that was released at the World Governments Summit 2026.
The video can be viewed below.
