The Banking Executive Magazine- June 2026 Issue

the BANKING EXECUTIVE 62 ISSUE 209 MAY 2026 FinTech and AI Chornicle H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mo- hammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Future Tech- nology and Digital Economy, visited Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global financial centre across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. During the visit, H.H. Sheikh Ham- dan was welcomed by Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, along with other senior officials, and was briefed on the Centre’s strategic priorities and innovation ambitions. H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mo- hammed said, “Dubai International Financial Centre represents a leading global model for building integrated economic and financial ecosystems driven by innovation, knowledge, and connectivity with the global economy. It reinforces Dubai’s posi- tion as a top four financial centre and a key hub for shaping the future. As we continue to advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, we remain committed to enhancing Dubai’s global competitiveness by fostering a flexible, innovation-dri- ven economy capable of attracting the world’s top talent, companies, and high-quality investments.” He added, “The sustained growth achieved by DIFC reflects growing international confidence in Dubai’s economy and its ability to create a world-class business environment that supports innovation and sustain- able growth. It also supports Dubai’s ambition to rank among the world’s top three cities for business and in- vestment. We will continue to invest in future-focused sectors and ad- vanced technologies, while strength- DUBAI CROWN PRINCE BACKS DIFC AMBITION TO BECOME AI-NATIVE FINANCIAL HUB