Mr Horsfall was one of the special guests at the grand official launch of the Centre by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the DIFC during which Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Chairman and Director General of the DIFC Authority, celebrated its first year of success.

Commenting on the event, Mr Horsfall was keen to draw attention to the fact that not all offshore jurisdictions were represented in Dubai.

"I believe it was significant that Jersey was invited to be represented at this event when it was certainly apparent that many of the other offshore jurisdictions were not present," Mr Horsfall observed.

"After the official opening ceremony, Dr Sulaiman took the trouble to come across and talk to me directly which I think is a further indication of the regard with which Jersey is held in the region," he added.

Jersey Finance delegations have been regular visitors to Dubai in recent years and Jersey based finance organisations continue to work with professionals in the Gulf region with a view to bringing more business to the Island.

In March, a 50-strong government team, led by Senator Frank Walker, President of the Policy & Resources Committee, senior policy-making committee of the States of Jersey, accompanied by 40 senior finance industry representatives, undertook Jersey's largest ever promotional tour to the Gulf region, taking in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain.

"The fact that Jersey was invited to send a representative is a reflection of the work that has been done in building commercial links with the region. It also helps to cement our growing relationship with prominent and senior figures within Dubai," Mr Horsfall noted.