Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Daniel Pinto of JPMorgan Chase discuss the vast new opportunities for banking and financial companies in the UAE. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Daniel Pinto of JPMorgan Chase discuss the vast new opportunities for banking and financial companies in the UAE. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Daniel Pinto of JPMorgan Chase discuss the vast new opportunities for banking and financial companies in the UAE. Photo: Dubai Media Office
Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Daniel Pinto of JPMorgan Chase discuss the vast new opportunities for banking and financial compa

Sheikh Maktoum and JPMorgan Chase president discuss bank's expansion plans


Shweta Jain
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Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and the president and chief operating officer of JPMorgan Chase discussed plans to extend the reach and capabilities of the world's largest bank by market capitalisation in the region.

A statement from the Dubai Media Office said that Sheikh Maktoum met Daniel Pinto on Wednesday at the Dubai International Financial Centre.

They discussed the vast new opportunities for banking and financial companies emerging from the ambitious development projects the UAE is undertaking.

Sheikh Maktoum said Dubai is keen to further deepen partnerships with global financial services companies to advance the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 “to consolidate the city’s status as one of the world’s top three cities and top four financial centres”, the statement said.

Launched in January, D33 aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy with the goal of reaching Dh32 trillion ($8.71 trillion) by 2033 and establishing the emirate among the top three global cities.

It aims to make Dubai a global digital economy leader, the fastest-growing and most attractive global business centre, a centre for sustainability and economic diversification, an incubator and enabler of talented citizens, and a preferred destination for major international companies and investments.

Sheikh Maktoum also outlined the role played by Dubai in providing “a supportive platform for tapping the vast avenues for growth and innovation” arising from fast-growing emerging markets in the region that are going through rapid transformation.

Robust public-private partnerships play a vital role in Dubai’s efforts to establish itself as “a top-ranked global hub for financial services and technologies”, he said, according to the statement.

“As part of this objective, Dubai continues to provide one of the world’s best ecosystems for financial services companies to advance growth, innovation and excellence,” he added.

JPMorgan Chase reported a full-year net income of $37.7 billion in 2022. It had $3.7 trillion in assets as of December 31.

The US-based financial firm operates in more than 60 countries with over 240,000 employees worldwide, serving many of the globe’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients.

The meeting on Wednesday was attended by Abdullah Al Basti, Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai; Helal Al Marri, director general of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism; and DIFC governor Essa Kazim.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

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