Singapore-based alternative lender EFA Group, formerly known as EuroFin Asia, has opened an office at the Dubai International Finance Centre (DIFC).

Citing “rising demand for alternative financing in the GCC”, the firm has appointed Kamran Yousuf as principal representative in Dubai, along with Andrew Fairie as relationship manager. Yousuf has been working as a relationship manager for EFA in Singapore since 2011, originating business leads and structuring commodity and trade finance facilities in Asia. Fairie joined in early 2015 from the Dubai Multi-Commodities Centre (DMCC).

EFA CEO Christian Stauffer says: “The GCC region is an important market segment for us. The growing needs from our real economy partners are the catalysts for us to expand into Dubai and we will continue to strengthen our capabilities and presence there.”

EuroFin Asia was rebranded to EFA earlier this month, to “better reflect EFA’s extended focus”. The firm is headquartered in Singapore and has another representative offices in Geneva.