Dubai DET and Julius Baer unite to attract global investors

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic agreement with Swiss wealth manager Julius Baer (Middle East) designed to attract international investors, family offices and business owners to the emirate and bolster Dubai’s position as a global hub for private wealth. The partnership will leverage Julius Baer’s international network to support demand from clients seeking to establish and expand their presence in Dubai, aligning with objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33.

"DET's partnership with Julius Baer strengthens our ability to convert strategic interest into structured establishment and investment outcomes," said Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET. "Even amid shifting global conditions, the city continues to demonstrate resilience, transparency, and strong institutional delivery. We remain focused on enabling responsible capital formation, supporting family offices, business owners, and long-term investment activity, and reinforcing Dubai’s position as a trusted base for international wealth and business growth in line with the D33."

Context and details

The agreement formalises cooperation between DET and Julius Baer to channel Julius Baer’s clients and global capabilities towards opportunities in Dubai. Rahul Malhotra, Head of Region Emerging Markets at Julius Baer, underlined the firm’s long-term commitment to the market: "Our long-standing presence here gives us a depth of market knowledge that allows us to respond confidently to clients when they are assessing where to base their wealth, their businesses, and their families."

• Julius Baer’s global footprint spans more than 25 countries and 60 locations.
• The firm reported assets under management of 547 billion Swiss Francs at the end of June 2026.
• DET’s economic arm, the DEDC, positions the deal within the strategic D33 agenda focused on attracting long-term capital.

The partnership is aimed at translating strategic interest into concrete establishment and investment outcomes by improving channels through which international investors, business owners, family offices and private clients can evaluate Dubai’s long-term economic direction and engagement opportunities. The deal emphasises the combination of Julius Baer’s international client network with Dubai’s regulatory, lifestyle and connectivity advantages to present the emirate as a base for wealth management and enterprise.

Dubai’s private wealth ecosystem has recorded notable growth, reinforcing the rationale for the tie-up. Latest reported figures from the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) show that as of year-end 2025 the centre hosted 1,289 family-related entities, a 61 percent increase year-on-year, while DIFC-based families had established 1,115 foundations, up 66 percent year-on-year. Those trends point to expanding demand from family offices and private clients for local structures and advisory services.

Outlook

With Julius Baer’s AUM and multi-jurisdictional reach combined with DET’s policy and investment-promotion remit, the partnership is positioned to convert global interest into on-the-ground establishment and capital deployment in Dubai. Executives framed the agreement as a response to "growing appeal" among private clients seeking stability, connectivity and access to regional and international opportunities. Going forward, the collaboration is likely to focus on facilitating client migrations, supporting family office formations and channeling long-term capital in line with Dubai’s D33 objectives.