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RIYADH: Dubai International Financial Center has announced its best-ever performance for the first half of a year, with 1,081 new companies registered between January and June — a 32 percent annual increase.

The total number of active registered firms at the financial hub rose to 7,700 in the first half of the year, an annual rise of 25 percent, according to the Government of Dubai Media Office.

DIFC also reported a 9 percent increase in its workforce, bringing the number of professionals employed in the center to 47,901.

The performance comes as Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global financial hub, with the DIFC consistently ranking among the top 20 financial centers worldwide. It hosts more than 250 wealth and asset management companies, worth over $450 billion, which contribute about 5 percent to the emirate’s nominal gross domestic product.

“Dubai has entered a new and greater phase of growth, and these results highlight the competitiveness, attractiveness, and global confidence it enjoys,” said the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and President of DIFC, Maktoum bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.

He added: “We firmly believe the future holds even more opportunities, and we will continue to strengthen DIFC’s capabilities and its ecosystems that foster innovation, agility, and business growth.”

The Dubai Financial Services Authority, which regulates entities operating from the center, reported a 28 percent year-on-year increase in financial services approvals, reaching 78 in the first half of 2025.

Hedge funds registered through DIFC also grew 72 percent to 85 accounts, reinforcing its role as the region’s largest hub for the sector.

Essa Kazim, governor of DIFC, said the center “remains the driving force behind Dubai’s economic growth” by diversifying the financial services sector.

The number of companies in fintech, artificial intelligence, and other innovation-driven industries rose 28 percent to 1,388.

DIFC also hosted major events, including Dubai AI Festival in April and Dubai FinTech Summit in May, underlining its ambitions to become a major hub for financial technology.

DIFC Academy, the center’s education arm, trained 4,947 learners in the first half of 2025 and continues to advance its “1 Million Learners” initiative to equip individuals with sustainability skills by 2030.

In real estate, the launch of DIFC Heights sold out in three days, and over 1.6 million sq. feet of new commercial space is under development to meet growing demand, the media office added.

RIYADH: ������Ƶ’s Public Investment Fund has been named the most valuable and fastest-growing sovereign wealth fund in the world, with a brand value of $1.2 billion, a new report showed. 

According to Brand Finance’s 2025 Asset Management and Sovereign Wealth Fund 50 report, PIF also secured seventh place globally in brand value-to-assets under management ratio, making it the only fund to enter the top 10 across both asset management and SWF categories.  

PIF’s strong brand growth reflects its ranking as the fourth-largest sovereign wealth fund globally, as reported in Global SWF’s July update.   

With assets under management exceeding $1 trillion, the fund now ranks just behind Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global and two Chinese entities — the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and the China Investment Corporation — surpassing regional peers such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Kuwait Investment Authority.  

The report from Brand Finance also highlighted the role of high-profile sports partnerships in elevating brand value.  

“In 2024, PIF signed groundbreaking global partnerships accelerating the growth of sports with ATP and WTA tennis, Concacaf and Formula E, Extreme E and E1 under the E360 umbrella while its ownership of LIV Golf is helping to expand the game's audience around the world,” Brand Finance CEO David Haigh said.  

PIF’s brand growth was underpinned by strong scores in brand awareness, purpose, and its commitment to long-term value creation. It has seen substantial expansion in its portfolio, driven by the maturation of key projects and robust performance from its portfolio companies.   

The Saudi wealth fund holds an A+ brand strength rating, with its Brand Strength Index rising to 62.9 out of 100 in 2025.  

Additionally, PIF’s ownership of LIV Golf continues to expand the game’s global audience and bolster its brand visibility.  

BlackRock retained its position as the world’s most valuable asset management brand for the second consecutive year, with its brand value rising 17 percent to $8.3 billion, according to the Brand Finance report.  

The increase is attributed to a surge in AUM, strategic acquisitions in private markets, and sustained leadership in technology and artificial intelligence.   

In the asset management space, JP Morgan Asset Management ranked second globally with a brand value just under $7.2 billion, reflecting a 3 percent year-on-year increase.   

Vanguard held third place with a brand value of $6 billion, unchanged from 2024. While BlackRock trails JP Morgan in terms of brand strength — scoring 87 out of 100 to JP Morgan’s 87.6 — both firms retained an AAA brand strength rating.  

Haigh noted the strategic importance of sports affiliations in brand development.   

“Formula 1 and football are powerful and popular ways for asset managers and sovereign wealth funds to raise their international profiles in a way that is consistent with the brands’ wealth and stature,” Haigh said.   

He cited JP Morgan’s banking unit Chase’s recent sponsorship of Arsenal FC’s VIP Lounge as an example of how these investments can significantly boost brand recognition among targeted audiences.  

Among sovereign wealth funds, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority was identified as the strongest brand in terms of BSI, with a score of 64.1, also earning an A+ rating.   

PIF remains the leader in overall brand value within the SWF category, reflecting the fund’s expanding global influence and strategic visibility.