Julius Baer (Middle East) Ltd has signed a strategic agreement with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to support international investors, entrepreneurs, and family offices looking to establish or expand their presence in the emirate.
The agreement aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global destination for wealth management, investment, and business growth. Through the partnership, Julius Baer will use its international network to connect clients interested in relocating their wealth, businesses, and families to Dubai with opportunities across the emirate’s economic ecosystem.
Julius Baer operates in more than 25 countries and over 60 locations worldwide. The private banking group has maintained a presence in Dubai for more than 20 years and serves a growing number of high-net-worth individuals and family offices across the region.
Under the new arrangement, clients considering Dubai as a long-term base will receive support in understanding the city’s business environment, investment opportunities, and regulatory framework. The initiative is designed to make it easier for international investors to establish operations and integrate into Dubai’s expanding financial and commercial sectors.
The agreement forms part of the broader Dubai Economic Agenda, known as D33. The strategy seeks to strengthen Dubai’s role as one of the world’s most important economic and financial centers over the coming decade. On the government side, the agreement will be administered by the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of DET.
Dubai has seen significant growth in its private wealth sector in recent years. The emirate continues to attract wealthy individuals, business owners, and family offices from around the world due to its business-friendly environment, modern infrastructure, and strategic location.
Recent figures highlight the scale of that growth. By the end of 2025, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) was home to 1,289 family-related entities. This represented a 61 percent increase compared with the previous year. During the same period, families operating through DIFC established 1,115 foundations, marking a 66 percent annual increase.
The rapid growth reflects rising interest from global investors seeking stable and efficient locations to manage wealth and oversee international business operations. Family offices have become an increasingly important part of Dubai’s financial landscape as more wealthy families choose the emirate as a regional or global headquarters.
Dubai has introduced several measures in recent years to attract family offices and international investors. These include dedicated regulatory frameworks, legal structures, and support services designed to meet the needs of wealthy families and business owners.
The emirate faces growing competition from other financial centers in the region. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have launched specialized family office regimes to attract global capital. The Dubai International Financial Centre and Abu Dhabi Global Market continue to compete for international investors, family businesses, and wealth management activities.
Despite that competition, Dubai remains one of the fastest-growing wealth hubs in the Middle East. The city continues to attract entrepreneurs and investors seeking access to regional and global markets while benefiting from a favorable business environment.
The partnership with Julius Baer is expected to support these efforts by expanding Dubai’s reach among international clients. Through its global relationships and advisory services, the bank can introduce more investors and business owners to opportunities available in the emirate.
The agreement comes shortly after Julius Baer reported record financial results for the first half of 2026. The Zurich-listed banking group announced a net profit of SFr673 million, or about $831 million, under International Financial Reporting Standards.
The result marked a 128 percent increase compared with the same period last year and represented the highest first-half profit in the company’s history.
As Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global center for wealth, investment, and entrepreneurship, partnerships such as this are expected to play an important role in attracting new capital and supporting long-term economic growth. The agreement also reflects the emirate’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger ecosystem for international investors, family offices, and business leaders seeking opportunities in the region.
