Centre's upgraded Portal provides an enhanced end to end solution for companies and employee services

Dubai-UAE: 28 November 2015 - Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the global financial hub connecting businesses and institutions with emerging market opportunities across the Middle, East, Africa and South Asia, has launched the third phase of its upgraded DIFC Client Portal, offering a full range of tech services to further enhance the overall client and tenant experience.

The new Portal offers a wide range of online services including Company Services, such as Company Registration, License Renewal and Company Amendments.  In addition, users can access Employment Services, such as the application, renewal and cancellation of visas, all with an online payment facility.  

By facilitating single platform access and coverage of departmental services, DIFC's Client Portal reduces processing time by almost 80% for certain types of applications, from the time of submission of the application to receiving approval. The Portal also eliminates the need for hard copies for all Employee Services. Servicing the requirements of all clients more efficiently, the Centre's enhanced services have facilitated improved accessibility and responsiveness, with an almost 50% reduction in client waiting time.  

Commenting on the DIFC's technological initiative to upgrade its online interface, Alya Al Zarouni, Senior Vice President - Government & Registry Services, DIFC Authority, said: "We acknowledge the importance of providing a simple and streamlined Client Portal for the wider benefit of customers and companies alike. As a leading financial centre, it is critical to ensure the implementation of cutting-edge technologies and provide single platform access to all government services."

"With the launch of our fully-integrated Portal interface, DIFC continues to develop an advanced and evolved business platform that hosts a world-class legal, business and physical infrastructure."

In line with the Dubai leadership's 'Smart City' initiative, the DIFC Client Portal indicates the Centre's forward momentum to building a unique financial ecosystem supported by an efficient, simple and streamlined technological and physical infrastructure.

Having initially launched the upgrade with the introduction of online applications for Company Services, the comprehensive facilities now available to DIFC clients include Government Services, such as employment visa applications and dependent packages, as well as Property Services such as lease registration and transfer of freehold. .  

All Company and Employee services will also now benefit from an additional courier service, which will ensure secure delivery of documents to and from client offices.

About Dubai International Financial Centre
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is the financial hub for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, providing a world-class platform connecting the region's markets with the economies of Europe, Asia and the Americas. It also facilitates the growth in South-South trade and investment. An onshore, international financial centre, DIFC provides a stable, mature and secure base for financial institutions to develop their wholesale businesses.

The Centre offers all the elements found in the world's most successful financial industry ecosystems, including an independent regulator, an independent judicial system with a common-law framework, a global financial exchange, inspiring architecture, powerful, enabling support services and a vibrant business community. The infrastructure within the district features ultra-modern office space, retail outlets, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, residential apartments, public green areas and hotels.

Located midway between the global financial centres of New York, London in the West and Singapore, Hong Kong in the East, DIFC (GMT +4) fills a vital time-zone gap with a workday that bridges the market and business hours of financial centres in both Asia and North America.

Currently, more than 1,327 active registered companies operate from the Centre, including 21 of the world's top 25 banks, 11 of the world's top 20 money managers, 7 of the top 10 insurance companies, and 9 of the top 10 law firms. 18,521 people work in the Centre.

DIFC continues to pursue expansion into new services and sectors within the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, an area comprising over 72 countries with an approximate population of 3.0 billion and nominal GDP of US$7.9 trillion.

For further information, please visit our website: www.difc.ae, or follow us on Twitter @DIFC.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Hajar Alktebi
Dubai International Financial Centre Authority
Assistant Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations
Phone: +971 4 362 2440
Email:  hajar.alktebi@difc.ae

Sonali Rekhi
APCO Worldwide
Associate Director
Mobile: +971 55 6264986
Email:  srekhi@apcoworldwide.com

© Press Release 2015