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Financial firms halt DP World projects over Sulayem's Epstein connection

Feb 13, 2026, 2:18 AM10
(Update: Feb 13, 2026, 2:18 AM)
Emirati multinational logistics company
country in North America
country in north-west Europe
American sex offender and financier (1953–2019)

Financial firms halt DP World projects over Sulayem's Epstein connection

  • Emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed a friendship between Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Jeffrey Epstein.
  • British International Investment and La Caisse announced a pause in new ventures with DP World in response to the allegations.
  • This situation raises concerns for potential investors about the integrity of leadership at DP World.
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In early 2023, financial groups in Canada and the United Kingdom began reassessing their investment activities involving DP World. This decision was prompted by the emergence of emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice, which revealed a long-standing friendship between Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the CEO of DP World, and Jeffrey Epstein. The documents include distressing references to topics such as porn, sexual massages, and escorts, casting a shadow on Sulayem's professional affiliations. British International Investment, the UK's development finance agency, announced that it would cease any new investments with DP World until appropriate measures were implemented by the company. La Caisse, one of Canada’s largest pension funds, echoed this sentiment, signaling that it would adopt a similar stance. Neither organization is directly invested in DP World, but they have previously collaborated with the company on various port projects worldwide. The revelations have sparked significant concern among potential investors, as they question the implications of Sulayem’s past communications with Epstein, who was infamously charged with sex trafficking before his death in jail in 2019. The contents of the emails have raised eyebrows, noting broad discussions that included unsettling subjects. For example, in one email, Sulayem expressed intent to interact with high-profile individuals, including referencing a desire to meet Donald Trump. This troubling communication has led to a reevaluation of the trust and integrity associated with Sulayem and his leadership at DP World. As these developments unfold, they highlight the interconnectedness of high-level business relationships and personal actions, as financial partners grapple with the potential risks posed by past associations. The situation underscores the growing accountability that corporate leaders face in the wake of misconduct allegations, especially in regard to historical ties to politically sensitive figures such as Jeffrey Epstein.

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