Dubai International Financial Centre reports strong growth in 2011

Dubai: The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) said on Tuesday the number of companies operating from the financial services free zone increased 7 per cent in 2011.

The number of active companies operating in the DIFC increased to 848 at end of last year from 792 at the end of 2010. The Centre seeing increased interest from Asia, sustained interest from Middle East, Europe and the Americas, DIFC officials said at a press conference on Tuesday.

At the close of 2011 more than 36 per cent of companies operating in the DIFC was from Asia and the Middle East while Europe accounted for 37 per cent of the total.

DIFC added 1 million square feet of commercial space last year. Officials said, DIFC owned buildings have occupancy in excess of 95 per cent while it is about 75 per cent in the privately owned developments within the financial free zone.