“Data is considered a high-value asset and a national resource for governments that boosts their competitiveness and preparedness to face future challenges,” Khalfan Belhoul, DFF’s chief executive, said. DFF has teamed up with various stakeholders in the Emirates and abroad to study the future of data, identify emerging trends and make recommendations to leverage information. The pandemic has also led to growth in other sectors such as retail and investment banking. The global retail market is expected reach $29.4 trillion in 2025, growing at an annual rate of 7 per cent, according to a report on Research and Markets. The global investment banking market is expected to surge to $137.9bn in 2025, growing at 5 per cent on an annualised basis, Research and Markets said.