Citi Chair and CEO Jane Fraser met with senior UAE leaders during a visit to the country, including His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to discuss the bank’s long-term commitment to the UAE and the wider Gulf region.

The discussions covered the global macroeconomic outlook, business opportunities emerging from the UAE’s diversifying economy and developments in artificial intelligence. Fraser and UAE leadership also discussed opportunities for public- and private-sector institutions in the country to expand into international markets with support from Citi’s global network.

Focus on UAE’s economic growth

Fraser said the UAE’s long-term economic direction and investment in technology and sustainable infrastructure were among the areas underpinning Citi’s continued engagement with the country.

She said Citi’s confidence in the UAE’s direction had strengthened during the bank’s 60 years of operations in the country and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the UAE’s growth through its international network.

During the visit, Fraser also held discussions focused on cross-border growth strategies and ways for clients to access Citi’s global network.

Citi’s presence in the UAE

Fraser met with nearly 2,000 Citi employees across the region, recognising their role in supporting the bank’s Middle East and Africa strategy.

Citi has operated in the UAE since 1964, when it opened its first branch in Dubai. The bank describes the branch as its first in the country and says it was the first American bank to establish operations in the UAE. Citi later expanded its presence to Abu Dhabi.

In the first eight months of 2026, Citi said it raised more than $75 billion to support clients across the Middle East.

The bank was also named Best Investment Bank for M&A for the UAE and Middle East in 2025 by Euromoney.

Citi Jane Fraser UAE economy Abu Dhabi Citi UAE banking investment banking Gulf region artificial intelligence cross-border investment