Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) plans to spend up to AED500 million (USD136 million) to construct an office project and a retail project, namely, The Gate Village 11 (to cost cAED330 million) and the Retail Spine (to cost cAED115 million). Both are set to be completed before the end of 2017, according to Essa Kazim, DIFC governor. The projects will be financed internally, given the company’s strong cash position of AED1 billion. Occupancy rates have reached 99% at its own buildings and 67% at third-party buildings within the complex in 2015. (MEED)