How We Regulate

International Co-operation

To achieve our objectives, the DFSA fosters and maintains relationships with other regulatory agencies within Dubai and the UAE, as well as with international bodies, regulators and organisations. For ease of access, a number of links to local registers, the DIFC's two exchanges, DIFC Court decisions, local and English language news sources and telephone directories are provided here.

In the context of non-public information, the DFSA actively pursues alliances and the creation of Memoranda of Understanding with local, national and international bodies, authorities and organisations. These Memoranda facilitate the realisation of the DFSA’s objectives and guiding principles, which include co-operating with and providing assistance to authorities, bodies and organisations in the State and other jurisdictions. In particular, these Memoranda facilitate the way in which regulators can assist each other in the pursuit of individual and common objectives, including through the exchange of information and the use of enforcement powers.

MoUs signed by the DFSA

The traditional mechanism for formalising co-operation between regulatory authorities in different jurisdictions is a bi-lateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

An MoU provides a formal basis for co-operation between regulatory authorities, bodies and organisations, including for the exchange of information and investigative assistance, based on existing laws. This means it cannot make lawful a release of information that would otherwise be unlawful, nor can it compel assistance that can only be voluntary.

It should be noted that the lack of an MoU is no impediment to sharing information and providing assistance to a fellow regulator as the DFSA's authority to share information and assist is based on specific provisions in the Regulatory Law. Chapter 8 of the DFSA Regulatory Policy and Process (RPP Sourcebook) elucidates further on the DFSA exercising powers on behalf of other authorities and sharing information with domestic and foreign regulators, bodies and organisations.

Multi-lateral MoUs

• The International Organisation of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
• The Boca Declaration
• International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS)
• IOSCO Africa and Middle East Regional Committee (AMERC)
• The International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR)

Bi-lateral MoUs:

Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) MoUs:
 

REGULATORY DUE DILIGENCE LINKS

To assist our fellow regulators, particularly in fulfilling their licensing and registration responsibilities, the DFSA has joined other members of IOSCO in an initiative to provide enhanced access to publicly available information. The following links to local registers, the DIFC's two exchanges, DIFC Court decisions, local and national English language news sources and telephone directories are provided here to answer preliminary enquiries and to facilitate the due diligence process.

Requests from regulators and other agencies for non-public information should be directed to the DFSA’s Head of International Relations (via [email protected]), and will be dealt with under existing bi-lateral or multi-lateral protocols (as applicable), the Regulatory Law and the RPP Sourcebook.