A financial centre is a location that is home to a cluster of nationally or internationally significant financial services providers such as banks, investment managers or stock exchanges. A prominent financial centre can be described as an international financial centre or a global financial centre and is often also a global city. An offshore financial centre is typically a smaller, low-tax jurisdiction that primarily serves non-residents.

Background

Financial centres are locations with an agglomeration of participants in financial markets and venues for these activities to take place. Participants can include financial intermediaries (such as banks), institutional investors (such as investment managers), as well as central banks. Trading activity may take place on venues such as exchanges and involve clearing houses, although many transactions take place over-the-counter (OTC), that is directly between participants. Financial centres may host companies that offer advisory services, for example relating to mergers and acquisitions, or which participate in other areas of finance, such as private equity and reinsurance.

Financial Centre (Arabic: المركز المالي, Arabic pronunciation: [alˈmarkaz almaːliː]) is a rapid transit station on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro in Dubai.

Location

Located southwest of the historic centre of Dubai, Financial Centre station lies between Bur Dubai and many of the city's larger new developments. To the east is the Dubai International Financial Centre, after which the station is named. Nearby residential buildings include The Index and the Park Towers at DIFC, as well as numerous hotels.

History

Financial Centre station opened on 9 September 2009 as part of the initial stretch of the Dubai Metro, with trains running from Rashidiya to Nakheel Harbour and Tower to Deira City Centre and seven other intermediate stations. Other stations on the Red Line opened progressively over 2010 and 2011.

Station layout

Like many other stations on the Red Line, Financial Centre lies on a viaduct paralleling the eastern side of Sheikh Zayed Road. It is classified as a type 2 station, indicating a setup with an elevated concourse and two side platforms with two tracks.