The Financial Conduct Authority has appointed two financial services attachés to India and the UAE as part of an expanding overseas network targeting key growth markets. Sabina Saini began work at the British Deputy High Commission in Mumbai on August 10, while Darine Obeid will start at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi on August 31. Both roles provide firms and local regulators with direct FCA contact for cross-border policy and market-entry questions but carry no supervisory authority and create no new authorization pathways.
The Mumbai posting follows a February cooperation agreement between the FCA and India’s IFSCA, which oversees GIFT City—a special financial zone hosting over 1,000 registered entities including 38 banks with combined assets exceeding $100 billion. The Abu Dhabi appointment confirms the FCA’s Gulf expansion plans outlined in its 2026/27 work program. These appointments join existing FCA representatives in Washington, Brussels, Singapore, and Australia.
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FXnCO Insight
** Firms eyeing Indian or UAE market entry now have dedicated FCA channels for regulatory guidance, though authorization requirements remain unchanged.
Source: Finance Magnates