Dubai: H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance, met with Javier P©rez-Tasso, CEO of the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), the leading provider of secure financial messaging services.
According to Emirates News Agency, the discussions focused on exploring opportunities to enhance cooperation between the UAE and SWIFT by leveraging the country's strengths in infrastructure, regulation, and digital transformation. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum emphasized the UAE's dedication to developing a future-ready financial ecosystem that can contribute to global financial resilience and encourage the adoption of innovative technologies.
He highlighted the UAE's business-friendly environment and advanced financial infrastructure as key factors enabling global institutions to expand their regional presence. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum also pointed out Dubai's rise as a major global financial hub and its strategic position as a gateway between international markets. He expressed Dubai's eagerness to collaborate with international players like SWIFT to facilitate global financial flows, support trade, and enhance the integrity of the financial system.
Strengthening such partnerships aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to position Dubai among the world's top four global financial centers. H.H. Sheikh Maktoum welcomed the choice of Dubai as the host city for SIBOS 2029, a significant financial services conference organized by SWIFT. He noted that this selection underscores Dubai's growing global role in the industry and its capability to host major international events.
SWIFT, a global cooperative, connects over 11,500 banking and securities organisations, market infrastructures, and corporates across more than 200 countries with secure financial messaging. Headquartered in Belgium, SWIFT plays a crucial role in enabling global financial flows and advancing cybersecurity within the financial industry. It facilitates the daily transmission of over 53 million FIN messages, ensuring secure communication between banks and financial institutions globally. SWIFT maintains an office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including Mohammed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Helal Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC; Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates NBD; and Marwan Ahmad Lutfi, Director-General of Al Etihad Credit Bureau.