The international financial centre has reported active licences approaching 14,000 and a workforce topping 49,000. The figures fit with how these Gulf centres are growing, notwithstanding geopolitical turbulence.

Abu Dhabi Global Market yesterday said assets under management in the first half of this year surged by 54 per cent on a year ago, alongside growth in active licences, fund managers and headcount.

The number of active licences reached 13,974 by the end of the period, of which 1,814 were issued during the first six months of the year, which ADGM said makes it the largest Middle East, Africa and South Asia regions. The centre's combined workforce across Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island rose to 49,027, up 34 per cent year-on-year.

ADGM's fund and asset management base expanded to 190 managers, up 23 per cent from 154 a year earlier. The number of funds managed from ADGM rose 32 per cent to 276. Asset managers that established operations in ADGM during the first half collectively oversee more than $2.1 trillion in global assets under management, the centre said.

Such data suggests that for all the worries about the US/Iran clash this year, there is an air of constructive optimism for the medium term, and banks, fund managers, advisors and other groups are aiming to capture rising wealth. This news service recently talked to industry practitioners about developments in the Gulf, here. The figures also feed into how the UAE is expanding as a cross-border financial centre. According to Boston Consulting Group earlier this year, the Emirates collectively make up the world's seventh-largest cross-border hub.

Nearby in Dubai, the Dubai International Financial Centre has reported 10,018 active registered companies at the end of H1 2026, rising 30 per cent year-on-year, including 592 wealth and asset management firms and 1,134 regulated financial services firms.

ADGM said operational entities reached 3,986, up 34 per cent from 2,972 a year earlier, while financial services entities rose 27 per cent to 392. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA), ADGM's regulator, issued 50 In-principle approvals and 45 new financial services permissions during the period. Firms establishing or expanding in ADGM during H1 included Capital Group, Man Group, Barings, Bain Capital and Hillhouse Investment.