Crowe UAE and LuLu Exchange Host Landmark Consumer

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Crowe UAE and LuLu Exchange successfully hosted its first-ever Consumer Awareness Drive on Financial Crime Compliance and Consumer Protection at the Hyatt Regency, Deira, Dubai. With this initiative, both Crowe UAE, one of the country’s leading audit and accounting firms and Lulu Exchange became the first business houses in the UAE to collaborate and organize such a large-scale program for the DNFBP sector, underscoring their commitment to combating financial crime.

The landmark event brought together over 500 professionals from the DNFBP (Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions) sector across the UAE to gain critical insights into evolving regulatory requirements and practical strategies to combat financial crime.

The inaugural addresses were given by Mr Thampi Sudarsanan, CEO, LuLu Exchange and Mr Zayd Maniar, Managing Partner, Crowe UAE. In his address, Mr Thampi Sudarsanan outlined the need for such industry events to bring all stakeholders in line with the anti-money laundering efforts of Central Bank of UAE, particularly in DNFBP sector. He said both LuLu Exchange and Crowe UAE, reaffirms its commitment to strengthening compliance and accountability to build a safer, more resilient financial ecosystem.

Mr Zayd Maniar, during his inaugural address, signified how the business landscape has evolved in UAE since 1990s and Crowe UAE is committed in upholding the financial values and integrity in the business ecosystem by providing enrichment sessions on Anti Money Laundering, financial crimes etc.

Dr Khalid Maniar, Founder and Executive Chairman of Crowe UAE, delivered keynote address and emphasised the importance of technology in the business landscape particularly in finance and compliance. He said all these developments will make UAE a better place to do business and wished such events will give insights to the DNFBP sectors to grow along with the changes in ecosystem.

In his keynote address, Mr. Dawn Thomas, Senior Partner at Crowe UAE heading GRC division, expressed his privilege in co-hosting this pioneering event for the DNFBP sector. He highlighted that Crowe UAE is deeply committed to fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and advancing awareness on financial crime compliance, which remains a cornerstone of building trust and resilience within the UAE’s business community.

The program featured an in-depth AML/CFT training session, a panel discussion titled “From Rules to Reality – Adapting to Dynamic Regulatory Expectations” and an orientation on consumer protection.

Other notable speakers and presence include Dr Khalid Maniar, Founder and Executive Chairman of Crowe UAE, Richard Watson, Group CEO, LuLu Financial Holdings, Rajeev Nanda, Partner Crowe UAE, and Binu Paulose of LuLu Exchange. The mementoes to the distinguished guests in panel discussion was given by Shaiju Mohandas, Deputy CEO, LuLu Exchange and Ilham Maniar, Partner, Crowe UAE.

The AML/CFT training session led by Mr. Pijush Das, Director – Crowe UAE Academy, gave participants practical insights into compliance, risk identification, and regulatory expectations. Through real-world case studies and discussions, attendees left better equipped to strengthen internal controls and foster a stronger culture of compliance in their organizations.

A panel discussion titled “From Rules to Reality – Adapting to Dynamic Regulatory Expectations” was the highlight of the event. This discussion brought together distinguished leaders in the industry and academia who had shared their perspectives on evolving compliance requirements and practical approaches to implementation. Speakers in the panel included Mr. Hassan Alshaiba, Compliance Office Manager at the Department of Economic Development, Ras Al Khaimah, Ms. Ahmadeyya Mohammed Omar, Director of Compliance at Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), Ms. Mamtha Maria Francis, General Manager of the Dubai Jewellery Group and Member of the PPPC Secretariat at the Executive Office of AML/CFT, UAE, and Mr. Aditya Prasad, Chief Executive Officer of PAMP Gold. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Mahammad Ansar, Head of Compliance at Lulu Exchange.

The event was concluded by an Orientation on Consumer Protection by Ms. Zeena Prasad, Head of Consumer Protection at LuLu Exchange. Ms Zeena highlighted the importance of transparency in dealings, need to gain trust from the customers, and the UAE rules to be complaint particularly in DNFBP sector which was an eye opener to the participants.

Participants received a complimentary AML/CFT certificate from Crowe UAE Academy, further strengthening both their knowledge and professional credentials.

The interaction booths arranged by both Crowe UAE and LuLu Exchange was very informative for the participants. Crowe UAE had set up exclusive experience kiosks for Cygnus Scan AML Sanction Screening product and Cyber Threat Management Security Operations Centre demo.