The Swiss bank has signed a strategic agreement with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism in a demonstration of its commitment to the region and looking beyond short-term geopolitical volatility. 

Julius Baer (Middle East) Ltd has signed a strategic agreement with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to support international investors, business owners and family offices seeking to establish or expand their presence in Dubai.

Under the agreement, Julius Baer will use its global network to connect clients considering Dubai as a base for their wealth, businesses and families with the emirate's investment and business ecosystem. The bank, which has a network spanning more than 25 countries and 60 locations, has operated in Dubai for more than two decades.

The agreement sits within the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, and is administered on the DET side by the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, the department's economic development arm.

Dubai's private wealth sector has expanded rapidly. According to Dubai International Financial Centre figures for year-end 2025, the centre was home to 1,289 family-related entities, up 61 per cent year-on-year, while DIFC-based families had established 1,115 foundations, up 66 per cent over the same period. 

Dubai and Abu Dhabi have both introduced dedicated family office regimes in recent years, while DIFC and Abu Dhabi Global Market compete directly for the same pool of international capital.

Earlier in July, Zurich-listed Julius Baer reported a net profit on an IFRS basis of SFr673 million ($831 million), a record, for the first half of this year. That figure rose 128 per cent year-on-year.