CME Group, the world’s leading derivatives marketplace, has announced its expansion into the Middle East with the opening of a new office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This strategic move aims to enhance CME Group’s presence in the region and provide clients with greater access to its suite of financial products and services.
Key Highlights
Location and Licensing: The new office is situated in the DIFC, a prominent financial hub in the UAE. CME Group will operate locally under a Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) license, ensuring compliance with regional regulatory standards.
Leadership Appointment: Sharif Jaghman has been appointed as the Head of Middle East and Africa. With nearly 20 years of experience in financial services, Jaghman previously held senior positions at CME Group in London and has also worked at the New York Stock Exchange and Euronext.
Market Demand: The expansion is driven by increasing institutional and retail participation in financial markets across the Middle East. Julie Winkler, Chief Commercial Officer at CME Group, highlighted that the new office will accelerate the company’s ability to help clients manage risk and pursue opportunities in some of the world’s most important benchmark products.
Regional Engagement: CME Group has been collaborating with regulators and brokers in the region for years. The opening of the Dubai office is a significant step forward in elevating the company’s presence in the EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) region.
Strategic Partnerships: CME Group has a stake in the Dubai-based Gulf Mercantile Exchange (GME), which is strategically located within the DIFC. GME’s products are listed on the CME Globex matching engine and cleared via CME Clearing, further strengthening CME Group’s ties to the Middle Eastern market.
For more information on CME Group’s Middle East office, please visit: https://www.cmegroup.com/content/cmegroup/ar.html
