Through our ongoing commitment to developing regional ties, we’re making sure that we remain the IFC of choice for Gulf investors, especially in private wealth, banking and Islamic finance.

As a jurisdiction that offers stability, certainty, high levels of governance and robust structures, Jersey is well placed to support business and families who want to ensure compliance with regulations and focus on their long-term objectives.

Gulf States
Our Work to Support Gulf Investors
  • There is a growing need for ethical, transparent and accountable finance in the Gulf region – areas in which we’re experts
  • We’re able to work within a range of finance disciplines, sensitive to local dynamics, economies and cultures
  • We support inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) for infrastructure projects through our integrated business development strategy
  • We assist in family wealth management and pre-IPO planning
  • We provide a full suite of cross-border, corporate, funds and wealth management services for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs)
  • We continue to support our permanent presence in the Gulf region with regular business seminars, roadshows and receptions to strengthen our relationships and widen our network of contacts.
Built on Strong Foundations

When Jersey became the first international finance centre (IFC) to have an office within Dubai’s economic zone (DIFC), it put us in a good position to support the increasingly complex needs of investors in the UAE and the wider Middle East region.

Today our team in the Gulf Region are able to engage with stakeholders on the ground, providing a seamless bridge between Jersey and the GCC and the wider Middle East, and benefit from the ever-increasing trade links between Dubai and east and west Africa, and India.

It is Dubai’s development as a gateway jurisdiction between east and west Africa and India that perfectly places our Middle East Regional Hub office to drive our business development strategy for these exciting markets.

Forward-Thinking Agreements

Jersey already enjoys well-established bilateral government-to-government relationships with several partners in the Gulf region, many of which are based on strong links across financial and professional services.

Jersey’s first Bilateral Investment Treaty with the UAE was signed in November 2021. This treaty enhances the business environment between the two jurisdictions by providing equitable treatment and routes to arbitration for investors. Jersey also signed a double taxation agreement with the UAE in 2017 to provide greater tax certainty for individuals, investors and businesses operating across Jersey and the Gulf state.

The Government of Jersey continues to negotiate a range of agreements with partners in the Gulf region to increase cooperation, provide investor certainty and boost investment. This includes engagement at both Ministerial and official levels with partners, including Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Jersey for the Gulf Region

Regulatory framework

Jersey has a strong regulatory framework built around governance, tax transparency and compliance, which is recognised by world-leading organisations.

Connections

Jersey’s finance industry has promoted in the Gulf region for many years, with a presence in the UAE since 2011 and a Middle East Regional Hub office established in the DIFC in 2018.

Expertise

Jersey has one of the largest numbers of finance industry professionals of any IFC, giving it a vast pool of expertise.

Substance

Jersey has a modern business environment with almost 14,000 professionals supported by a politically stable government.

Easy access

Jersey has strong links and is in close proximity to the City of London and the EU, giving businesses and individuals easy access to both markets.

Reputable

It adheres to, and is often an early adopter of, global standards set by the UK, EU, US and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Choice

For more than six decades, Jersey has developed a wide range of competitive products and services.

Central

It has a central time zone, making it easy to do business around the globe.

Supportive

Jersey supports inward and outward foreign direct investment (FDI) for infrastructure projects across the Gulf region markets through our integrated business development strategy.

Commitment

The Government of Jersey is committed to building ties with the Gulf region, having signed a double taxation agreement with the UAE in 2017 and Bilateral Investment Treaty with the UAE was signed in November 2021.

 

Case Studies from Jersey-Based Companies

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Key Contacts

Find out more about Jersey’s IFC and any of the topics discussed in the brochure, please get in touch with one of the Directors from our Middle East Regional Hub office:

Faizal Bhana › Director – Middle East, Africa and India, Jersey Finance
email › / profile ›

Faizal is a UK qualified lawyer and for many years has worked and advised, and is a trusted advisor to institutions, corporates and families across the Middle East, Africa and India. Faizal specialises in banking and finance and has advised corporates, family offices and families including on their international investment and holding structures.

Faizal is responsible for developing the strategy for Jersey Finance’s engagement in Africa, the Middle East and India. He is focussed on his key markets, regularly travelling to all these countries, liaising and working with key stakeholders, including public and private institutions, corporates and families, building long-term mutually beneficial relationships.

An Kelles › Director – GCC, Jersey Finance
email › / profile ›

An joined Jersey Finance in May 2016 as the Business Development Director for Asia and is now based in our Middle East Regional Hub office, in the DIFC in Dubai.

An studied law in Belgium at the University of Leuven including one Erasmus exchange year at Queen Mary and Westfield College in London. She subsequently did an LLM in international business law at Trinity College Dublin.

An qualified as a lawyer in Belgium before moving to Dublin to work in the international business team of the law firm Matheson. In 2009, she went to work for ATC Corporate Services in Luxembourg as a corporate lawyer and later as a business unit manager. After a shareholding change in 2013, ATC Corporate Services merged with the Intertrust Group. An joined the Intertrust Hong Kong office in 2014 as a business unit director for the European and the Private Equity team.