His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance of the UAE, met with Michael Miebach, CEO of Mastercard, one of the world’s leading digital payment and financial technology companies.
During their meeting, Sheikh Maktoum discussed the UAE’s vision for developing a dynamic, future-ready financial ecosystem that utilizes advanced technologies to promote economic growth. He emphasized that the UAE is eager to foster strategic collaborations with top financial technology companies, like Mastercard, to accelerate the transformation of the digital economy and drive innovation in financial services.
Sheikh Maktoum also highlighted the UAE’s business-friendly environment and strong financial industry infrastructure, which continues to support global financial institutions in expanding their footprint and contributing to sustainable economic development in the region. He noted that Mastercard's continued expansion in the region, with its Dubai hub at the heart of operations, underscores the city’s growing importance as a center for financial innovation and a gateway to emerging markets.
Aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, Sheikh Maktoum reiterated the ambition to position Dubai as one of the world's top four financial hubs. He noted that the city is rapidly enhancing its contributions to shaping the future of global finance.
Mastercard’s headquarters for the Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa region has been based in Dubai since 2001. The company reported net revenues of $28.2 billion for the full year 2024, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. With a global workforce of over 35,000 employees, Mastercard operates in more than 200 countries and territories, providing secure digital payment solutions to individuals, businesses, and governments.
The meeting was attended by prominent officials, including His Excellency Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; His Excellency Abdulrahman Saleh Al Saleh, Director General of Dubai Finance; His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; and His Excellency Malek Al Malek, Chairman of the TECOM Group.
