• Home
• /
• Local business
• /
• Business

DIFC firms can allow staff to work from home

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) governor Essa Kazim said whether employees work from home due to the new coronavirus outbreak is, for now, left to the individual companies at DIFC.
"As far as DIFC Authority is concerned, we do have a plan to do that, to work from home, especially in areas that would not require the presence and attendance," Kazim told reporters at a briefing.
He said preventive measures for the new coronavirus are largely taken in line with state directives, but said some internal measures are also being taken.
"There are internal measures via increasing and intensifying cleaning operations and disinfecting, and providing disinfectants everywhere," he said.
He said the situation is "under control so far" but said the DIFC Authority is ready to take any action necessary.
Kazim acknowledged the global nature of the virus' spread and its impact on business, but said DIFC has a backlog that it is now fulfilling and said it is too early to measure the outbreak's future impact.
Pace of expansion
Dubai's financial district will be expanded gradually and only when there is demand for new space, Kazim said.
The DIFC started expanding last year and upon completion the new district will have 6.4 million square feet of office space.
"It is on plan but it's going to be done on gradual basis, in phases. We will start with phase 1A, B, C and then we build according to the needs," he said.
"We are not going to build unless we (have an) affirmed tenant that is interested in taking this space," Kazim said.
DIFC is the major finance centre in the Middle East, hosting international banks, insurance companies and investment firms.
The governor said DIFC's leased area now stands at around 4.83 million square feet, around a 3 per cent increase year-on-year basis.
The centre's 10-year strategy that began in 2014 is on track and all key performance indicators (KPIs) have been met, Kazim said. - Reuters