H.E. Essa Kazim is Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). He is the Chairman of Borse Dubai, a Member of the Dubai Supreme Fiscal Committee, Member of the Securities and Exchanges Higher Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Legislation Committee.

He began his career at the UAE Central Bank in 1988 and moved to the Dubai Department of Economic Development as Director of Planning and Development in 1993. He was subsequently appointed as Director General of DFM from 1999 to 2006.

H.E. Essa Kazim holds an honorary Doctorate from Coe College, a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Iowa, a Master’s degree in Total Quality Management from the University of Wollongong, and a Bachelor’s degree from Coe College.

He currently sits on a number of official advisory committees and boards; he is a Member of the Higher Board of Directors of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), Chairman of the DIFC Authority Board of Directors, Chairman of the DIFC Investments Board of Directors, Member of the Board of the Free Zones Council, Nasdaq Inc. and Etisalat.

He also serves as a Board Member for a number of educational institutions, both in the region and around the world.