Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 20 May 2026 – In a strategic partnership with the Dubai
World Trade Centre (DWTC) Free Zone, Zand, an AI and blockchain-powered digital bank in
the United Arab Emirates, will support the diverse business needs of companies operating
within the free zone, with innovative digital banking solutions and financial services.
Under the partnership, eligible new and existing companies registered with the DWTC Free
Zone would be able to benefit from faster service delivery time, streamlined processes,
and more, with Zand’s advanced AI-driven technology.
Zand CEO Michael Chan said, “At Zand, we are thrilled to partner with the DWTC Free
Zone, to accelerate business growth by leveraging the power of AI, innovation, and
blockchain technology, across both DWTC Free Zone businesses, and the wider free zone.
Together, this strategic partnership allows us to actively champion the goals of the Dubai
Economic Agenda (D33). By fusing Zand’s innovative solutions with Dubai’s visionary
landscape, we are empowering businesses to scale seamlessly, driving the targeted
average annual AED100 billion contribution from digital transformation, and consolidating
Dubai’s position among the top three economic cities in the world by 2033.”
Abdalla Al Banna, VP of Free Zone Regulatory Operations at DWTC Free Zone, said, “Dubai
World Trade Centre Free Zone is committed to creating a business environment that
supports innovation and the growth of the digital economy. Our partnership with Zand
enhances the ecosystem available to companies within our free zone by providing access
to digitally enabled banking solutions that support business growth and ease of

operations. As Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for future-
focused industries, partnerships such as this play an important role in creating an

integrated and business-friendly environment for companies to establish and scale from
Dubai.”