WTW (NASDAQ: WTW) announced it received approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority to operate as WTW Investments (DIFC) Limited within Dubai International Financial Centre.

The licence allows WTW to provide investment advisory services and arrange access to fund solutions in and from DIFC. The approval enables the company to offer services to wealth management firms, family offices, and institutional clients in the region.

WTW Investments has previously worked with sovereign wealth funds and public pension plans in the Middle East. The company has also supported employers headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia with pension and savings plan capabilities.

"This Licence approval is a landmark moment for WTW," said Diya Luke, Global Head of Investments at WTW. "With the DFSA licence now in place we can fully engage the market with wealth managers, family offices and institutional clients."

His Excellency Arif Amiri, Chief Executive Officer at the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, said the decision reflects Dubai's position as a destination for global wealth and asset management firms. DIFC houses more than 500 wealth and asset management firms.

WTW Investments manages over $3.6 trillion in assets under advisory and $187 billion in assets under management globally. The company operates with more than 900 colleagues worldwide and serves over 1,000 investment clients.

Dr Ahmad Waarie, Director of WTW Investments (DIFC) and Head of MENA at WTW, said the licence represents a step in the company's regional expansion. The Middle East has been identified as a strategic growth priority for WTW.

DIFC hosts 8,844 active firms, including 1,052 regulated firms and connects over 50,200 financial professionals in the region.