Family Businesses In Dubai: DIFC And Emirates NBD Sign Strategic Partnership To Support UHNWIs

The collaboration will be delivered through the DIFC Family Wealth Centre, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global hub for family enterprise.

DIFC announced the partnership with Emirates NBD to empower family-owned enterprises and UHNWIs within the DIFC Family Wealth Centre.

Family businesses in Dubai

Under the agreement, Emirates NBD Private Banking will work with the DIFC Family Wealth Centre (DFWC) to address the evolving needs of UHNWIs and their family businesses.

The partnership will provide tailored frameworks, governance models, tax structuring and succession planning designed to support long-term sustainability and legacy preservation.

Emirates NBD will also leverage the world-class infrastructure of DIFC to deliver bespoke educational programmes, workshops and resources covering family governance, succession planning and family office structures.

The alliance aligns the strategic objectives of both organisations and reinforces their commitment to strengthening the family enterprise ecosystem, adding value to Emirates NBD Private Banking clients and DFWC members.

Dubai remains the region’s only financial centre recognised as a global leader with broad and deep capabilities, according to the Global Financial Centres Index. Emirates NBD, as a leading national bank, places strong emphasis on supporting family businesses through succession planning, wealth management and specialised banking services.

DIFC support

Currently, more than 1,250 family-related entities, including global private-client institutions, operate within DIFC. The top 120 families based in the Centre collectively manage over U$1.2tn in assets globally.

Across the UAE, family businesses contribute around 60 per cent of GDP and employ 80 per cent of the national workforce.

Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said: “Family businesses from around the world choose Dubai and DIFC as a trusted platform to grow, innovate, and plan for the future. As a global hub for family enterprise, Dubai offers a progressive environment and DIFC provides world-class structures and advisory access that enable families to safeguard wealth and build enduring legacies.

“Our collaboration with Emirates NBD reinforces DIFC’s commitment to enabling sustainable family wealth strategies through robust governance and succession planning frameworks.”

Mohammad Al Bastaki, Group Head of Private Banking and Wealth Management, said: “Emirates NBD Private Banking is proud to join forces with DIFC. The agreement marks a significant milestone in our commitment to our private banking clients.

“We understand the unique complexities and aspirations of family businesses, and by collaborating with DIFC, we are providing a holistic platform to family-owned enterprises that offers unparalleled expertise in governance, succession, and wealth preservation.

“This alliance underscores our dedication to empowering our clients to navigate the future with confidence, ensuring their legacies endure and thrive across generations.”

DIFC provides a wide range of tools and structures to support family businesses and UHNWIs, spanning succession planning, wealth preservation, asset protection, governance and cross-border investments through holding structures, family offices and foundations.

The partnership also grants direct access to tailored solutions from Emirates NBD Private Banking, including family governance and succession-planning services such as the bank’s Next Generation programmes. These initiatives aim to help enterprises prepare for the future, ensure continuity and preserve family values across generations.