Financial Center News #133

📣 We are pleased to share two thought-leadership papers published by our members, the Financial Services Development Council and Frankfurt Main Finance (FMF). Both publications provide deep strategic insight into how global financial centers are accelerating competitiveness, digitalization, and economic security across international markets.

🇭🇰 Financial Services Development Council – "Hong Kong's Capital Market Leadership: A Super-Connector Path to the Global Capital Nexus in the Digital Era"

The Financial Services Development Council (FSDC) presents a forward-looking analysis of Hong Kong's position as a super-connector between Mainland China and global markets.

The paper highlights: 🔹 Hong Kong's growing role in facilitating international capital flows 🔹 The strengthening of HK's digital-era financial infrastructure 🔹 Strategic opportunities in asset management, market connectivity, and cross-border innovation

This publication solidifies Hong Kong's ambition to remain a leading global financial hub in a rapidly transforming global landscape.

📲 Link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/gwr-z_r3

🇩🇪🇯🇵 Frankfurt Main Finance – "Reinforcing Economic Security and Facilitating Net-Zero Transformations Through Resilient Global Supply Chains: A German-Japanese Perspective"

Frankfurt Main Finance (FMF) shares a comprehensive German-Japanese study focusing on: 🌍 Economic security in an era of geopolitical shifts 🔋 The acceleration of Net-Zero transformations 🔗 Strengthening the resilience of global supply chains 🤝 Bilateral cooperation between Germany and Japan in digitalization, sustainability, and innovation

This paper provides a valuable framework for policymakers and industry leaders navigating supply-chain vulnerability and sustainability imperatives.

📲 Link to the paper: https://lnkd.in/dMpB5Qyk

We've done it.

This week, ADGM delivered the biggest edition of ADFW yet, a milestone that reflects not only the scale of our ambition, but the strength of the ecosystem that stands behind it.

None of this would be possible without the vision, trust, and guidance of our Chairman HE Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi. His leadership continues to push this platform forward and redefine what Abu Dhabi can achieve on the global financial stage.

Thank you to the ADFW team: Abdul Rahman Al Mazrouei and his team on Protocol and Government Affairs Afra ALRashdi and her team on Partnerships Chris Hughes and his team on Editorial Qais Aloul and his team on Events and Community Engagement Salam Diack and her team on Operations Stefania Bianchi and her team on Communications and Media And finally the amazing Zoë Lamb and her team on Marketing

Grateful for every member of the team who made this possible

How the DigitalResident.kz Portal Works

In December, the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) announced the modernisation of the DigitalResident.kz portal. 💻 This platform serves as a unified digital space for the registration of AIFC participants and the ongoing servicing of companies.

The portal makes user interaction with registration services more convenient and transparent.

🔍 We have prepared a brief guide to help you understand what the portal offers and how to get started. ▶️

🚢 Busan's #Maritime Hub Momentum Continues

#SK #Shipping and #H-Line #Shipping have announced plans to relocate their headquarters to Busan, supporting the government's vision to develop the city into a global maritime hub.

Alongside the upcoming relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, this move strengthens Busan's role as Korea's maritime capital—where shipping, policy, and finance converge.

📍 For Busan, this is more than a physical relocation. It represents the convergence of maritime industry, policy, and finance, strengthening the foundations for maritime finance, sustainable shipping, and global logistics innovation.

Busan Finance Center see these developments as a critical step toward building an integrated ecosystem where #shipping, #finance, and international cooperation grow together positioning Busan as a competitive maritime-finance hub in Northeast Asia and beyond.

Casablanca Finance City Authority and APCI of São Tomé and Príncipe sign a partnership agreement.

Casablanca Finance City Authority (CFC) and the Agência de Promoção de Comércio e Investimento (APCI) of São Tomé and Príncipe have signed a strategic MoU aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation and promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration on key areas including investment promotion and technical cooperation, supporting joint initiatives that contribute to sustainable growth and regional integration.

Through this MoU, both institutions reaffirm their commitment to fostering South-South cooperation and supporting strategic projects in various sectors such as renewable energy, ecotourism, sustainable agriculture and blue economy.

#DIFC in collaboration with CME Group will host the sixth edition of Derivatives Day Dubai.

This premier thought leadership forum brings together leading derivatives experts to examine the latest developments in listed derivatives across the MENA region, alongside the global trends shaping market activity and innovation.

The programme will feature forward-looking discussions that reflect the growing sophistication of regional markets and underscore Dubai's expanding role in the global derivatives landscape.

Register here: https://lnkd.in/dd_h7cMX

Mauritius in Europe 🏖️

👉 Stay tuned: Mauritius is back to meet you! 🌴

Save these dates carefully! 🌍 From 17 to 26 March 2026, discover or rediscover the magic of Mauritius during the 4th edition of our iconic Roadshow in Europe.

📍 5 strategic destinations: France 🇫🇷 | Switzerland 🇨🇭 | Germany 🇩🇪 | Belgium 🇧🇪 | England 🇬🇧

🔥 Don't miss this exceptional experience with Team Mauritius!

Since 2018, Malta has been the foundation of Gate's European growth. As one of the first crypto-friendly jurisdictions, Malta offered regulatory foresight, a supportive regulator, and a complete ecosystem of ancillary services. With the MiCA license secured, Gate now runs its European operations from Malta and highlights the country as the place to build and grow a crypto business.

Based on the principle of strengthening the role of Sharia supervision in regulating the financial services sector.

The Higher Sharia Supervisory Authority at the #FSA held its second meeting, headed by Dr. Ismail bin Nasser Al-Aufi, during which the #InsuranceLaw was discussed, and the Authority's report to the Board of Directors was reviewed, reflecting integrated efforts to enhance #institutional_governance.

Before the State Reception at Guildhall, I attended a few days ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nick Collier, Managing Director, Brussels at the City of London Corporation.

Even six years after Brexit, Frankfurt and London remain close partners. The Kensington Treaty from 2025 provides a strong framework for renewed trust, deeper economic cooperation, and joint efforts in areas such as sustainable finance, digital transformation, and future technologies.

We're pleased to highlight the insights from the latest Mastercard Economic Outlook & Digital Readiness report - a compelling view on how digital transformation, economic resilience, and innovation are shaping the future of business and finance.

As a global leader in payments and technology, Mastercard continues to provide valuable perspectives on the evolving economic landscape and how companies are preparing for what comes next.

The report shows that while macroeconomic uncertainty remains, businesses that embrace digitalization and innovation are better positioned to adapt, compete, and grow. Notably, smaller firms increasingly recognize the strategic importance of digital readiness in building resilience and accessing new opportunities.

Key themes emerging from the Mastercard insights include: 🔹 The critical role of digital adoption in future growth trajectories. 🔹 How economic shifts are influencing strategic priorities for companies across sectors. 🔹 The need for robust frameworks that support innovation, competition, and sustainability in the digital economy.

At Future Finance Poland we see these findings as directly relevant to our community - especially as financial institutions and fintechs navigate rapid technological change while supporting enterprises of all sizes.

We encourage you to explore the full Mastercard report and reflect on what digital readiness means for your organization and the broader financial ecosystem.

📖 Read the full Mastercard report here: https://lnkd.in/djSN39DY

Hong Kong's role as a global financial centre is evolving -- not by chance, but by choice. Earlier this morning, the Financial Services Development Council released a concept paper outlining a strategic roadmap to strengthen our capital market for the digital age.

We frame the journey through the "4I" lens: - Issuers: attracting global champions and innovative, digital-native firms - Investors: deepening engagement with institutional and private wealth - Intermediaries: fortifying expertise for new asset classes and complex products - Instruments: pioneering next-generation investment vehicles

Our vision is clear: for Hong Kong to go deeper (liquidity, sophistication), wider (product spectrum, participants), and farther (long-term vision, global reach).

This paper is not about having all the answers. It is indeed our attempt to consolidate perspectives and, more importantly, to invite yours. We will be holding a few expert sessions before the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in January to gather insights across the 4Is and beyond. If you would like to contribute, please register your interest by sending us an email at enquiry@fsdc.org.hk with the subject: "Discussion: Future of Capital Market." While we may not be able to meet everyone, we are committed to listening to you.

Great markets not only adapt to change, but also define it. For Hong Kong, that time is now.

Join the conversation. Let's build a resilient, innovative, and globally central capital nexus together.

Istanbul Financial Center is redefining the future of finance by bringing together global access, intelligent infrastructure, and a collaborative mindset.

Positioned at a unique geographic and strategic crossroads, it empowers institutions, talent, and ideas to come together and shape a brand new financial ecosystem.

As we wrap up 2025, we're reflecting on an incredible year of Future Connect events — designed to inspire, connect and support emerging professionals across the finance community 💡🤝.

A huge thank you to all our speakers who shared their expertise throughout the year and to our event series sponsor Grant Thornton Channel Islands, for helping make each session possible. Your contributions have been instrumental in creating meaningful conversations and fostering connections across our network.

We're proud of the learning, networking and collaboration that took place and look forward to building on this momentum in the year ahead. Explore our event insights on our website to see all that we achieved together 📂. https://jsy.fi/4aQ6mNl

Five years of growth, impact and partnerships. KIFCAtFive was both a celebration of achievements and a reaffirmation of our vision for the future.

From milestones reached to networks strengthened, this journey has been made possible through collaboration and shared ambition.

Relive the highlights and join us in celebrating this remarkable chapter.

Watch the highlight video now!

Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning | Rwanda Development Board (RDB) | National Bank of Rwanda (NBR) | Capital Market Authority Rwanda

Meet Lize Griffiths, whose career path has taken her across continents - from Stellenbosch University to Deloitte Cape Town, onward to the snowy mountains of Colorado, and finally to Luxembourg, where she has built her home for over 20 years. What brought her here? As Lize says, "People come to Luxembourg either for opportunity or for love; in my case, it was both."

Her story is a reminder that living abroad means embracing new cultures, seeking connections, and committing fully to where life takes you. Luxembourg, with its welcoming international community and opportunities, is an ideal location to do that. 🔗 Read her full story: https://bit.ly/4q186b1

The NIFC had the opportunity to meet with the CFA Institute & the CFA Society East Africa last week. It was a pleasure engaging in thoughtful discussions on the future of investment across Africa.

The NIFC also had the honour of speaking on two panels at the Africa Investment Conference hosted by the CFA. The conversations centred around a shared commitment to strengthening Africa's investment ecosystem through enabling policy, deeper capital markets and a sustainable transition towards a green economy.

The NIFC is grateful for the opportunity to exchange ideas with such a sharp and engaged community of investment professionals and to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on how Africa can better mobilise capital to support sustainable growth.

Thank you to the CFA Institute & the CFA Society East Africa for the warm welcome and for convening such an important platform.

A day well spent celebrating Qatar National Day at QFC Tower 1 alongside Invest Qatar and the QFC community, Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre, Qatar Finance and Business Academy - QFBA, and Qatar Financial Centre Regulatory Authority (QFCRA)! 🇶🇦

From cultural experiences to traditional performances like the Ardha, it was a celebration filled with pride, heritage, and great energy, a true reflection of the spirit of tomorrow's National Day.

Last week, our annual workshop on self-presentation with JOBLINGE took place. In the workshop, together with Boerse Stuttgart Group employees, it was worked out how young people can introduce themselves in job interviews in a clear, structured and authentic way. Typical challenges, such as building a logical structure for self-introduction and focusing on relevant experiences, were specifically addressed.

In addition, the Boerse Stuttgart Group has donated 20 laptops to JOBLINGE in order to equip the young people technically for the future. This event is part of our ongoing educational partnership with JOBLINGE. We are very happy that we were able to be there and support us and thank all participants for their commitment! 👏

We were delighted to support Paws in Work for the fourth year, bringing another uplifting day of puppy therapy to the office. 🐶✨ Spending time with the puppies offered a welcome moment of calm during a busy week and a chance to pause and reset. These sessions also play an important role in helping the puppies build confidence and develop essential social skills as they prepare for their future homes. It's always a highlight in the office and a valued part of our wellbeing activities. 🐾✨

Last week marked one of the most meaningful moments in my journey at TRIFIC SEZ - a moment that felt less like a launch and more like the turning of a page in Kenya's economic story.

When we began building TRIFIC SEZ, our ambition was clear: To create Africa's first private business services-focused SEZ as a place where global companies could enter the African continent with confidence, scale with ease, and thrive without friction.

We wanted to prove that Africa's services economy is not a distant promise. Over the past two years, we have seen that vision take shape in extraordinary ways. We watched the TRIFIC SEZ North Tower fill with demand from global BPOs (TP), professional firms, tech innovators, regional headquarters, and financial service providers.

We saw a business ecosystem becoming a home for global service delivery. This is the foundation upon which the TRIFIC SEZ Green USD I-REIT now stands. This I-REIT was not created in isolation. It is the natural evolution of a platform that has already proven itself. A platform with a fully let, green-certified, USD-yielding Grade-A tower delivering USD in rental income and diversified blue-chip tenants.

The TRIFIC SEZ Green USD I-REIT is therefore more than a financial instrument. It is an invitation. - An invitation for investors to participate in Kenya's rising service-export story. - An invitation to earn hard-currency USD yield backed by real assets and real performance.

TRIFIC SEZ still has over 800,000 sqm of Grade-A office pipeline ahead. A growing ecosystem aligned with Vision 2030, BETA, and Kenya's ambition to lead Africa's digital and services transformation.

As we launched the TRIFIC SEZ North Tower I-REIT last week I felt both pride and gratitude. - Pride in how far we have come! Well done TRIFIC SEZ team!! - Gratitude for those (Dr. James Mworia, MBS & Fred Murimi Ngari) who believed in this vision long before it was fashionable.

To our partners at KCB Kenya Investment Bank (Maurice O.), Nabo Capital (PIUS MUCHIRI, CFA), Centum Investment Company Plc., SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES AUTHORITY (Kenneth Chelule); Nairobi Securities Exchange PLC (Frank Mwiti) Capital Markets Authority - Kenya; all our members, and the broader market - Thank you!