"From today, Dubai will supply the missing link in the global economy. The launch of the DIFC provides a financial market equal in quality to the Western markets of London, Frankfurt and New York and the Eastern markets of Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, to a central time zone that is home to 1.6-bil people with an annual GDP of $1.5-trillion"

- Chairman of the Dubai International Financial Center regulatory council Habib al-Mulla said after awarded three licenses, including one to an energy fund, on its first day of formal operations Monday.

Copyright © 2004 - Platts

Please visit:  www.platts.com

Their coverage of energy matters is extensive!!.