Dubai-UAE: 05 October, 2015

Dubai International Financial Centre Investments (DIFCI), the investment arm of Dubai International Financial Centre, was today recognised in the 'Money and Finance' category at the Islamic Economy Award 2015.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the annual award honours outstanding sharia-compliant business initiatives and ideas that also contribute to the social and economic welfare of the Muslim population.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the award in person to His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of Dubai International Financial Centre, in recognition of the DIFCI's successful closure of a US$700 million sukuk last year.

Issued on November 12, 2014 with a tenor of 10 years, the sukuk was oversubscribed 4.3 times, closing with an order book of approximately US$3 billion.

His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor, DIFC, said: "This award reflects the growing investor confidence in Dubai as a centre for Islamic finance and vindicates the long-term vision of the UAE's Rulers."

Now in its third year, the Islamic Economy Awards ceremony was hosted during the opening session of the Global Islamic Economy Summit (GIES) 2015.

The summit welcomes more than 2,000 policymakers and business leaders from across the Islamic world to debate on critical issues impacting the Islamic economy.

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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 Al Ktebi
Associate Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations
Tel: +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