{
  "id": 9002094,
  "title": "French asset manager bets on Dubai as regional wealth hub grows",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/french-asset-manager-bets-on-dubai-as-regional-wealth-hub-grows",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-21T19:27:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/business/markets/french-asset-manager-bets-on-dubai-as-regional-wealth-hub-grows-1.500682986"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The head of Middle East at French asset manager Carmignac, Christophe Younes, revealed that the rapid growth in the UAE necessitates a reevaluation of how the country can be effectively served, moving beyond European-based operations. In an interview with Gulf News, Younes explained that the establishment of Carmignac’s first regional office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is a reflection of the UAE's burgeoning wealth creation and the appetite of local investors for active management, an area where Carmignac excels. DIFC currently hosts 592 wealth and asset management firms, which is the largest segment under regulation at the centre, according to its results from the first half of 2026. Initially, Carmignac will focus on serving institutional investors, private banks, and family offices in the UAE and broader region by offering distribution services. This move follows a 35% year-on-year increase in the number of wealth and asset management firms at DIFC, attributed to the centre’s robust regulatory standards and favorable policy environment. Younes noted that Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s top four global financial hubs has spurred many wealth managers to expand their operations there, positioning the UAE as the next logical step for Carmignac’s international growth. With over three decades of experience serving international clients from Europe, Younes emphasized that the UAE's swift growth cannot be effectively managed through occasional visits. Carmignac’s expertise spans emerging markets, technology, fixed income, multi-asset, alternatives, and private assets, which complements the preferences of UAE investors for active management and income-generating strategies. Income generation is a priority in the UAE market, as nearly half of the funds based there since 2024 have an explicit income objective. Younes aims for Carmignac to become an integral part of the UAE’s financial services ecosystem rather than simply scaling up. The firm’s leadership includes Carmignac’s group deputy chief executive Rose Ouahba and Habib Achkar, who has over 30 years of experience at Morgan Stanley across Paris, Saudi Arabia, and the wider MENA region.",
  "summary": "The pace of growth in the UAE means the country can no longer be served effectively from Europe, according to the head of Middle East at French asset manager Carmignac, which has opened its first regional office in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Christophe Younes said the decision to commit to an on-the-ground presence reflects both the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}