Sheikh Mohammed takes a tour of Pearl Museum at Emirates NBD Bank in Dubai on Wednesday. WAM

Sheikh Mohammed was accompanied on his visit by Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai; and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates NBD.

Sheikh Mohammed said, "Emirates NBD has been a significant player in the UAE’s growth into one of the world’s leading centres for commerce and trade. The bank’s achievements over the last 60 years mirror the UAE’s own journey of transformation that saw the nation not only matching the progress of developed countries but also emerging as a frontrunner on the global stage.

"The bank’s contributions have been instrumental in building Dubai into a major global node for trade and capital flows as well as accelerating economic development in the UAE, the region and beyond. Emirates NBD continues to play a major role in the sustained growth of the UAE’s banking sector, which remains an important pillar of our national economy and diversification strategy and a key enabler of our strategic aspirations.”

"As we look forward to the boundless opportunities that lie ahead, I am confident that Emirates NBD will script new success stories that will contribute to shaping a brighter future for the UAE. I congratulate the Emirates NBD Board of Directors led by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum for their commitment to setting new benchmarks in the banking industry and driving innovation and excellence,” His Highness Sheikh Mohammed added.

Sheikh Mohammed also visited the Emirate NBD Pearl Museum, which showcases the UAE’s maritime heritage and its pearl-diving history. The museum was inaugurated in 2003, on the occasion of the bank’s 40th anniversary.

A leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye region, Emirates NBD’s 60th anniversary celebrations mark the bank’s exceptional evolution from a homegrown local bank to a leading international bank, employing over 30,000 people across its markets and serving over 20 million customers worldwide.

Emirates NBD was created following the merger between the National Bank of Dubai and Emirates Bank International which was completed in 2007.

In 2023, Emirates NBD’s profit surged 65 per cent to Dhs21.5 billion, while total income rose by 32 percent to Dhs43 billion. The bank’s asset base jumped 16 per cent in 2023 to Dhs863 billion at the end of 2023.

The Group currently has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Turkey, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia.

WAM