Gulf Wealth Sector Maintains Momentum Despite Geopolitical Strain

The expansion trend is anchored by high-profile agreements, such as the recent pacts between the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and heavyweights like Deutsche Bank and Julius Baer. These partnerships aim to streamline pathways for global investors and ultra-high-net-worth individuals to establish regional hubs. Salman Mahdi, global vice chairman of the private bank at Deutsche, noted that the firm views Dubai through a long-term lens, citing the emirate's connectivity and economic fundamentals as primary drivers for capital and talent attraction.

Data from regional hubs underscores this shift. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) reported over 10,000 active registered companies by mid-2026, a 30 percent increase year-on-year. Similarly, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) continues to attract new entrants, including Azura Partners and Partners Capital. This activity is mirrored by a surge in family office formations, with the DIFC noting a 61 percent rise in family-related entities. Nina Auchoybur, head of private clients for the Middle East at Ocorian, observed that families are moving away from informal business extensions toward structured governance frameworks, prioritizing succession planning and asset resilience. While some caution persists regarding infrastructure-linked funds due to regional tensions, the private client sector remains robust as investors prioritize jurisdictional diversification and sophisticated wealth management strategies.