Financial Center News #103

✅ Our May 2025 WAIFC Newsletter is here!

🌍 Voices: We had the privilege of interviewing Simon Thompson, Managing Director of the Global Capacity Building Coalition (GCBC). He shares why building climate finance capabilities in emerging markets is more urgent than ever.

🎓 Young Academic Award 2025: WAIFC's global call for papers is open! Researchers under 35 can submit on sustainable finance, AI in finance, or gender equity by May 30 for a chance to win a prize and present at our AGM in Frankfurt.

🤝 Members in Action: • DIFC driving digital transformation in the UAE • AIFC strengthens ties with Vietnam • Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority signs MoU with Cyprus • Financial Services Development Council Hong Kong hosts Earth Forum • ADGM unveils its strategic plan for innovation • Future Finance Poland launches its Digital Identity initiative • KIFC & WIFR join forces to promote gender equality • EDB Mauritius hosts France-Mauritius Business Forum

📅 Upcoming Events: From Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi Finance Week. #WAIFC #Finance #ClimateFinance #FinTech #SustainableFinance

We're pleased to announce that the ADGM Financial & Cyber Crime Prevention Department, in collaboration with PwC, is hosting the 5th Annual FATCA & CRS Awareness Session on 21 May 2025.

This mandatory session is designed for all ADGM Reporting Financial Institutions (RFIs) and will provide key updates and guidance on: • Due diligence and reporting obligations under FATCA and CRS • Recent changes to reporting templates for submission via the UAE Ministry of Finance portal

Event Details: Date: 21 May 2025 | Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Location: ADGM Auditorium, 4th Floor, ADGM Authorities Building

#ADGM #FATCA #CRS #FinancialCompliance #TaxReporting

🎉 Today, the #AIFC hosted the Islamic Finance and Business Forum — bringing together over 200 leaders, experts, and changemakers from across #CentralAsia and the #CIS to explore the future of Islamic finance.

Organized by the Association of Islamic Finance and Business (AIFB) and TIDAM, the forum spotlighted regional transformation across #Islamicbanking, #halaleconomy, digitalization, and women's leadership.

✅ Key highlights included: 🔺 Dialogues on Islamic finance's evolution and digital future 🔺 Strategic MoUs to foster cross-border investment, compliance, and halal integration 🔺 The first WOMANi — Women in Islamic Business & Finance Awards in Kazakhstan

As Madina Tukulova, Head of Islamic Finance at AIFC, noted: "The AIFC is committed not only to being part of the global Islamic finance landscape but to actively shaping the agenda through infrastructure solutions, partnerships, and a professional community."

Today's Update from BFC 🖐️

This morning, the BFC President Myongho Rhee and the Head of ECCK Busan Chapter Andrew Millard met for a strategic discussion about boosting Busan's global presence.

They discussed: ✔️ Raising Busan's profile as an international financial and business hub ✔️ Bringing in more foreign direct investment and global companies ✔️ Improving city infrastructure, especially for international talent, such as global-standard schools

As Busan moves forward as a global city, teamwork across sectors will be the key. #ECCK #BFC

In an exclusive interview, Arthur Minsat shares key insights from the OECD's latest report 'Dynamics of Development in Africa: Skills, Jobs & Productivity', offering a timely look at Africa's strong potential for inclusive and lasting growth.

He explains how building strong education systems and helping people gain the right skills are essential steps toward creating better jobs and boosting productivity. The interview also points to the importance of transforming local resources within Africa — a strategy that can make economies more resilient and competitive.

Morocco is highlighted as a strong example of how innovation and smart policies can lead the way. #CFC #CasablancaFinanceCity #Africa #EconomicGrowth

Emerging technologies are transforming financial services and driving greater inclusion:

🔹 AI is reshaping FS – Enhancing customer interactions, fraud detection, and investment strategies. 🔹 Blockchain is revolutionizing transactions – Digital assets and tokenization are increasing transparency and access. 🔹 Cloud computing is driving agility – Enabling real-time data, cost efficiency, and compliance.

Dubai is leading the future – With AI strategies, FinTech hubs, and progressive regulations.

Opportunities for FS firms: Expand digitally, embrace AI, collaborate with FinTech, and strengthen cybersecurity. #DIFC2025 #FutureofFinance

In a significant announcement last week, Junior Minister of Finance, Mr. Dhaneshwar Damry, revealed that the government is set to present a responsible budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

This budget will be characterized by major economic reforms designed to foster economic growth and enhance the ease of doing business in the country. Following a consultative meeting with key private sector stakeholders in Port-Louis, Mr. Damry emphasized that the upcoming budget aims not only to stimulate economic activity but also to promote sustainability and generate employment opportunities.

The government aims to create a more favorable and stable environment to attract investment, increase foreign exchange inflows, and maintain or improve Mauritius's investment-grade credit rating as assessed by Moody's.

Being on the FATF grey list is a full-blown economic risk. What role can financial institutions, regulators, and private sector actors play in accelerating the country's exit from the greylisting?

Visit the link below to follow the conversation and read the full policy insight. #EnterpriseNGR #business #finance #FATFGreyList #AMLReform #PolicyInsight

🚀 FinanceMalta is at Seamless Middle East 2025! We're excited to be showcasing Malta's financial services ecosystem at Stand H5-A30 alongside our partners CSB Group, Zerafa Advocates, KYC Portal CLM and Finance Incorporated Limited.

Come visit us to explore how Malta offers: ✅ A strategic gateway to the EU ✅ A robust regulatory framework ✅ Opportunities in fintech, banking, iGaming, corporate services & more

📍 Dubai World Trade Centre | 📅 20–21 May | 📌 Stand H5-A30

#FinanceMalta #SeamlessME #Fintech #iGaming #Dubai

🔐 Building a digital economy unshaken by threats.

Ahmed Al Harassi stressed that cybersecurity is no longer an option, but a national necessity and an investment in the sustainability of markets.

🔷 This came during his participation in the seminar: "Cyber Risk Uncovered: Strategies for Resilience in a Digital World"

🔐 "We are building a digital economy that is resilient to threats." #Digital_Transformation #Cyber_Security #FSA

Hubertus Väth stood in for President Oliver Behrens and warmly welcomed the delegates at the EFI (European Financial Integration) Dinner from across Europe.

Frankfurt's recent achievements in attracting the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and AMLA were highlighted, and we especially welcomed Bruna Szego, the new Chairwoman of AMLA.

Christian Mölling, Senior Advisor to the European Policy Centre, offered a compelling analysis of the challenges facing European integration in the field of defense. It's a long road ahead — both in terms of defense and financial integration. But both are equally urgent given the geopolitical and economic challenges ahead.

We're proud to announce that the upcoming expert event "Collaboration of the Financial Sector as a Key to Enhancing Cyber Resilience in the European Financial Market" — taking place on May 22 at the Polish Embassy in Brussels — is held under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Ministry of Digital Affairs of the Republic of Poland.

Organized by FinTech Poland and Future Finance Poland, in collaboration with the Polish Embassy in Brussels and Mastercard, the event will gather leading voices from the financial sector, regulation, and cybersecurity to address key strategic challenges in digital resilience.

#CyberSecurity #Finance #DigitalResilience #FinTech #FutureFinance #Brussels #PolishPresidency #DORA #NIS2

Empowering Senior Financial Executives through Hong Kong-ASEAN Collaboration.

FSDC is proud to co-organize the inaugural Hong Kong-ASEAN Collaborative Market Capacity Building Program with the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute.

This 3-day program welcomes senior executives from #Indonesia and #Vietnam and is designed to deepen their understanding of Hong Kong's financial ecosystem and unique value propositions.

Day 1 featured Hong Kong's #insurance sector development, the risk-based capital regime, #sustainabilityreporting and assurance, and the regulatory framework, highlighting its connectivity with mainland China and opportunities for cross-border collaboration. #IFC #ASEAN

Istanbul Financial Center invites you to be part of a visionary financial district. Explore your opportunity to operate at the heart of Türkiye's financial future.

A fantastic collaboration in Bahrain yesterday! Jersey Finance was proud to join forces with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) and Trowers & Hamlins for a breakfast roundtable focused on cross-border Islamic finance.

Led by Faizal Bhana (Jersey Finance), Rizwan Malik (BIBF), and Brian Howard (Trowers & Hamlins), alongside a first-class line-up of speakers from Bahrain, the GCC, Jersey, and beyond, the session explored the legal, tax, investment, and finance structuring aspects of Islamic finance transactions internationally.

We extend our sincere thanks to our brilliant keynote speakers from the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA), and our valued panelists, for sharing their insightful expertise. #Bahrain #IslamicBanking #FinanceStructures

Last week, the Management and Staff of Kigali International Financial Centre visited the Nyamata Genocide Memorial. We paid tribute to the innocent lives laid to rest at this memorial and were encouraged to continue upholding the values of unity and reconciliation. #Kwibuka31

After our recent business development trip to Seoul, it was a real pleasure to welcome the Korea Federation of Banks in Luxembourg this afternoon.

Together with ABBL and The LHoFT — Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, we exchanged on our respective finance and banking sectors as well as opportunities for further cooperation between Korea and Luxembourg.

On this occasion, KFB also signed an MoU with the ABBL to further boost bilateral relations between our banking sectors.

Qatar Economic Forum 2025 kicked off, bringing together global leaders, investors, and innovators to explore the forces reshaping the global economy.

📈 QFC was proud to contribute to day one through several key engagements. We welcomed visitors to our booth, participated in the "Doing Business in Qatar" breakout session alongside Invest Qatar and Qatar Free Zones Authority, and joined a featured case study where our Chief Financial Sector Officer, Henk Jan Hoogendoorn, discussed Qatar's dynamic business landscape.

We also signed an MoU with Ashmore Group — a step forward in our strategic alignment and continued commitment to expanding Qatar's global investment footprint.

With this year's theme, "The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy," Qatar is making clear strides in positioning itself as a resilient, forward-looking hub for business and finance. #QatarEconomicForum #QFC #InvestInQatar #Qatar2030

💶 €10,000 for start-ups with female founders in leadership roles! 🙌

In cooperation with GIG7 Kompetenzzentrum FeMale Business, encourageventures e.V. and powered by Boerse Stuttgart Group, we are awarding the Female Founders Scholarship of €10,000 to early-stage start-ups from Baden-Württemberg that are pursuing innovative and scalable business ideas.

➡️ Apply by July 15!

💡 In addition to financial support, there is access to experienced mentors and a free workshop from GIG7's offer, which helps to further develop the business model and successfully position it on the market.

📣 The Female Founders Scholarship is awarded as part of the Finance Summit on 18.09.2025, where the best female founders will have the opportunity to present their startup on the big stage in front of a top-class jury. #FemaleFounders #FinanceAccelerator #StartupBW

Join us on Thursday 26 June at the QEII Centre in London for our Annual Conference 2025. Sponsored by Citadel Securities, DLA Piper and Robinhood, the conference will bring together senior leaders from the financial and related professional services industry, policymakers and regulators to discuss issues such as:

- The role of financial and related professional services in driving investment and growth - How to ensure industry competitiveness - Harnessing technology to strengthen our national resilience and economic security.

Bloomberg Radio will also be broadcasting live from the event during the morning.

📢 Join our team! We're looking to recruit a Regulatory Affairs Officer who will be responsible for ensuring all enterprises within TRIFIC Special Economic Zone (SEZ) maintain full compliance with Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) regulations and related statutory requirements.

This role will also be pivotal in onboarding, guiding and supporting investors and enterprises through the licensing and regulatory processes, with the goal of enhancing the ease of doing business within the zone.

Ready to take on the challenge? Apply today!