Dubai’s DMCC, the world’s largest free zone, has announced plans to launch a new financial centre designed to serve as the financial engine for its rapidly expanding business ecosystem. The initiative aims to create a dedicated hub for trade finance, fintech innovation, and digital assets, further solidifying Dubai’s position as a premier global financial hub.
A Financial Spine for 26,000 Companies
The new DMCC Financial Centre is set to become the “financial spine” of its ecosystem, creating an integrated community of banks, fintech firms, venture capital funds, accelerators, and investment companies. This hub will provide DMCC’s 26,000 member companies with direct access to global capital markets, structured finance, risk solutions, and cross-border settlement frameworks, streamlining financial operations that previously required multiple jurisdictions. The move follows the successful launch of the DMCC Wealth Hub for family offices and builds on its collaboration with Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).
Shifting from Commodities to a Broader Financial Platform
This development signals a strategic evolution for DMCC, moving beyond its traditional commodities-led model to a comprehensive platform that incorporates finance, digital assets, and technology. Ahmed Bin Sulayem, DMCC’s Executive Chairman and CEO, stated that the new centre “will connect our 26,000 member companies more directly to the global financial system” and will “advance Dubai’s ambition to rank among the world’s foremost financial hubs.”
Complementing Dubai’s Financial Landscape
The upcoming centre is expected to complement the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which serves as a major hub for institutional banking, asset management, and professional services. While DIFC caters to large global financial institutions, the DMCC Financial Centre will focus on the financial arteries of global trade, such as commodity finance, supply-chain financing, and blockchain-enabled settlement systems. This dual ecosystem deepens Dubai’s competitive advantage, with DIFC as a headquarters hub and DMCC as a gateway linking real-economy trade to liquidity.
Aligning with Global Outreach and Economic Partnerships
The announcement was strategically made during DMCC’s “Made For Trade Live” roadshow in Vietnam, which attracted over 550 business leaders. This timing highlights the growing economic ties between the UAE and Southeast Asia, particularly following the UAE–Vietnam Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2024. Bilateral non-oil trade reached $7.02 billion in the first half of 2025, an increase of nearly 17% year-on-year, underscoring the demand for integrated financial services to support this growth.
About DMCC
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is the world’s flagship free zone and a leading hub for global commodities trade and enterprise in Dubai. Established in 2002, it provides the physical, market, and financial infrastructure required to establish and operate a thriving business. DMCC is home to over 26,000 member companies, from startups to multinational corporations, contributing significantly to Dubai’s economic diversification.
Source: Gulf News
