DIFC recorded 996 company registrations last year, the highest ever recorded in a single year for the Centre, a 36 per cent increase from 2020. The growth in company numbers is more than triple the average number across the last decade.
The total number of active registered firms operating in DIFC increased by 25 per cent to 3,644 entities from 2,919 in 2020. A total of 1,124 financial and innovation related entities are now active and operating within DIFC, increasing by 23 per cent, versus 915 in 2020.
In 2021, DIFC also recorded its highest ever annual revenue and operating profit. Revenue increased by 16 per cent to AED897 million year-on-year versus AED774 million in 2020, and up by 7 per cent from AED838 million in 2019 (pre-pandemic levels).
The increase in revenue and cost control measures resulted in an increase in operating profit. Operating profit for 2021 reached AED573 million, an increase of 26 per cent versus AED457 million in 2020 and up by 13 per cent compared to AED510 million in 2019. For the first time, total assets crossed AED14.80 billion (USD 4 billion), which reflects the strong financial position of DIFC.
DIFC continued to benefit from strong appetite for its A-class, centrally located premises. In the past year, an additional 350,000 sq. ft. of commercial space was leased across DIFC versus 201,900 sq. ft. in 2020, up by 73 per cent.
Total banking assets booked in DIFC increased to USD 198.5 billion from USD 189.4 billion in 2020, up by 5 per cent….
