DUBAI: Ares Management has secured broader regulatory permissions to expand its activities in Dubai, strengthening its presence in the Gulf’s financial services market.
According to an October 26 report by Financial News, Ares (DIFC) Limited received authorisation from the Dubai Financial Services Authority in September. The licence permits the company to arrange credit, advise on financial products and arrange investment deals. Ares established its Dubai representative office in 2014, and the expanded permissions widen the work it can undertake directly from the emirate.
Expansion Builds on Regional Financing Activity
The regulatory development follows Ares’ involvement in financing businesses operating in the region.
In October 2025, Dubai-based property platform Property Finder announced a $250 million debt financing commitment from Ares Credit funds. The company said the funding would support its next phase of growth, including product innovation, artificial intelligence capabilities, marketing and strategic partnerships across the region.
Property Finder’s announcement also highlighted its growing operating scale. Its core UAE real estate revenues increased from $30 million in 2021 to $117 million in 2024, followed by $73 million in the first half of 2025. The financing provided an example of Ares backing an established regional technology business with capital to support further expansion.
International Investment Capital Firms Strengthen Gulf Presence
Other global investment managers have also expanded their operations in the UAE.
KKR’s regional disclosures identify an established presence in Dubai International Financial Centre since 2009 and operations in Saudi Arabia since 2013. The firm has also opened an Abu Dhabi office, with regulatory approval for the new entity’s financial services permissions received in January 2026.
Dubai has attracted additional international asset managers in recent months. Carmignac announced the opening of a regional office in DIFC on September 3, while Mirae Asset Global Investments announced its own DIFC office later that month. Although these businesses operate different investment strategies, their expansion adds to the concentration of international capital firms in the emirate.
Regulatory Permissions Support Broader Operations
Authorisation determines which financial services a firm can conduct from Dubai’s financial centre. The DFSA states that businesses must obtain the relevant licence before providing financial services in or from DIFC. Permissions therefore represent a practical step in developing local operations and serving clients within the regulated jurisdiction.
For Ares, the latest approval builds on its existing Dubai presence and regional financing relationships. Alongside other international capital firms’ office openings, the development provides further evidence of investment managers committing operational resources to the Gulf.
