Financial Center News #138

🎓🔔 Calling all young researchers in finance & economics - Young Academic Award 2026

The Young Academic Award 2026 is again open for submissions 🎓

Are you conducting research on the future of financial centers, sustainability, digital finance, or innovation in global finance? This is your chance to shine. 💡🏆

Each year, the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) honors outstanding academic work from students and early-career researchers whose ideas can shape tomorrow's financial world. 🌱📈

✅ Who can apply? Students (Bachelor, Master, PhD) and young researchers worldwide ✅ Topics? Financial centers, sustainable finance, digitalization, fintech, financial inclusion, and more ✅ Why apply? Gain global visibility, present your work to international financial leaders, and contribute to meaningful change in the industry 🌐

📅 Applications to submit your paper or essay may be made no later than 30 May 2026 via our submission form: https://lnkd.in/eazc7RtM

📲 Apply now or learn more: https://lnkd.in/eE-VEksi 📲 Check the call-for-papers here: https://lnkd.in/exgxYN7p 📲 Check the Handbook: https://lnkd.in/emKux6kp

We are pleased to acknowledge an important leadership transition within our member Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority.

We extend our warm congratulations to Mansoor Al-Khater on his appointment as new CEO. With nearly three decades of leadership experience, he brings strong strategic vision and deep expertise to this role.

We would like to sincerely thank Yousuf Al-Jaida, former CEO of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority, for his outstanding leadership, commitment, and the significant work accomplished during his tenure. His contribution has been instrumental in strengthening QFC's positioning as a leading international financial and business hub.

We wish Mansoor Al-Khater every success as he leads Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority into its next chapter, in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the continued development of the global financial ecosystem.

📲 https://lnkd.in/eK6sEKbS

Taking place in Abu Dhabi on 28 to 29 January 2026, the 27th Annual IBA Arbitration Day - International Bar Association returns under the theme "New Horizons". One of the most established gatherings in the global arbitration calendar, the forum will examine how innovation technology and global shifts are redefining the future of international dispute resolution.

Secure your place at https://lnkd.in/eu4PAr52

Sara Koleilat-Aranjo Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Athena Miao, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of BigONE Exchange, shared her perspective on the company's expansion plans and the evolving digital asset market. She highlighted the AIFC as a strategic platform for regional growth, pointing to its clear and transparent regulatory framework, as well as the open and constructive dialogue with the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA). Remarks were shared on the sidelines of AIFC Connect: Singapore, a business event that brought together experts from the digital asset, fintech, financial services and investment sectors to explore cooperation opportunities and high-potential projects within the AIFC ecosystem.

☑️ Do the research ☑️ Write the paper ☑️ Apply ✅ And fly to #Busan to present it on the WAIFC stage

Bring your best ideas

Busan Finance Center is welcoming young researchers to Busan

15 years of impact.

Since 2010, Casablanca Finance City has been building a trusted business and financial hub connecting Africa with Europe and the Middle East, bridging opportunities, markets, talent, and cultures.

Today, CFC brings together an international ecosystem of 280 member companies, including Fortune 500 leaders, representing over 8,000 employees from more than 45 countries.

By combining a competitive regulatory framework, cross-border business connections, and a streamlined administrative environment, Casablanca Finance City supports companies and investors in accessing opportunities across African markets and accelerating business growth on the continent.

Prospera Wealth Management LLP joins #DIFC, establishing its presence within a globally recognised financial ecosystem. Operating from DIFC enables Prospera Wealth Management to access a deep pool of financial expertise, a robust regulatory framework and a strategic gateway connecting regional and international markets, supporting its growth and long-term client engagement. #WeChoseDIFC

Discover our exhibitors: the 2026 edition promises to be exceptional

The Europe Roadshow Mauritius 2026 returns from 16 to 27 March for its fourth edition – and this year promises to be more ambitious than ever.

More than 20 major players will come to meet you, including: - Government institutions - Smart Cities Developers - Real estate developers - Real estate agents - Tax lawyer - Notary - Wealth manager

👉 Sign up for free - https://shorturl.at/fzJP4 and discover their profiles on www.decouvrirmaurice.com for your dates!

2Futures | Anahita Mauritius | Azuri Village | Beau Plan | Know House Co Ltd | Harmonie Golf & Beach Estate | Medine Property | MJ Developpement | Mont Choisy Group | Pointe d'Esny Le Village | Ramiah Group | Lloyd & Davis - Île Maurice | Omnia Wealth | Park Lane Properties (Mauritius) | Mauritius Sotheby's International Realty

Understanding Nigeria's economic outlook is essential for making informed business, investment, policy, and strategic planning decisions.

EnterpriseNGR, in partnership with EY, convenes the 2026 Nigeria Economic Outlook to examine how reform-led stability can strengthen confidence and drive sustainable growth across key sectors of the economy.

📅 22 January | ⏰ 10:00 AM (WAT)

Malta's Financial Services Advisory Council reports strong momentum in its financial services strategy launched in 2023: 76 priority projects were set from 175 proposals, with 29 already completed and overall progress at 66%. Key initiatives focus on reducing bureaucracy and improving regulatory reporting—such as a centralised identity management system and a harmonised reporting framework—alongside legal updates to support specialised niches and ongoing work on skills and education.

Click here: https://lnkd.in/etKB8BYN

‏Key updates to the Unified Motor Insurance Policy ‏Enhanced benefits… broader protection 🛡️ ‏https://lnkd.in/dC89FpYq

Frankfurt RheinMain is World Design Capital 2026

With the festive grand opening, our region officially started the year as a World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026. The focus is on design as a social, economic and spatial force. For Frankfurt RheinMain as a business and financial centre, this is more than a cultural signal. WDC 2026 will focus on the region internationally as a place for innovation, sustainable transformation and new forms of cooperation, topics that will also shape the future of the financial centre.

As part of the multiplier network of World Design Capital 2026, Frankfurt Main Finance is accompanying this year of design and bringing the perspective of the financial centre into the dialogue between business, politics, design and society. The WDC Year creates space for ideas, projects and cooperations and for exchange about the future of regions and business locations.

Here's to a year full of ideas, perspectives and new connections!

📸 Copyright: Ben Kuhlmann

On 15 January 2026, a consultation meeting on the EU proposal for the European Business Wallet (EBW) regulation took place at the Polish Ministerstwo Rozwoju i Technologii (MRiT). MRiT highlighted Poland's ambition to play a leading role in EU trust services as the EUDI Wallet and the European Business Wallet are rolled out. The Government's position on the EBW proposal will be published in January, with consultations running under very tight deadlines due to the fast pace of EU negotiations. Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji is leading the talks, with MRiT supporting the process and remaining open to stakeholder input.

During the meeting, dr Anna Rozendaal, representing Future Finance Poland, together with the initiative's partners, presented the Digital Identity Specialisation, outlining its focus, objectives and recent outcomes. The presentation sparked strong interest among public administration representatives and ecosystem stakeholders.

We remain in close dialogue with public administration and other organisations involved in this process and will continue to keep the ecosystem informed as the regulatory work progresses.

Ministerstwo Rozwoju i Technologii, Ministerstwo Cyfryzacji, Centralny Ośrodek Informatyki, Pawel Widawski, Piotr Brewiński, dr Anna Rozendaal, Katarzyna Multan, Anna Bogucka

𝗔 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

It was a delightful way to kick off 2026, with an insightful exchange with members of the The European Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (EuroCham).

As part of our ongoing industry engagement, the FSDC continues to meet with leaders across the financial sectors to share perspectives and stay closely aligned with evolving market needs. These dialogues help inform our work in policy research, market promotion, and talent initiatives.

During our recent discussion with our friends from EuroCham, we focused on key priorities to advance Hong Kong's role as a global super-connector in financial services, exploring strategies to attract multilingual talent and emerging opportunities in sustainable finance, virtual assets, fintech, and insurance.

These constructive exchanges support the formulation of well informed, market relevant policy recommendations for Hong Kong's financial services industry.

Our heartfelt thanks to all our guests, and a special appreciation to Joseph HL Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), and our Board Members Jennifer Tan and Ben Chan, for hosting the discussion.

We are proud to see the Istanbul Financial Center's masterclass recognized once again. This time at the continental level of the European Property Awards 2025–2026.

These awards go beyond design. They reflect a shared vision for building inclusive, forward looking financial districts where architecture, innovation and purpose intersect.

Congratulations to everyone in the IFC community, and thank you for being part of this collective achievement.

The KIFC team paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Rwanda this week.

Discussions centered on investment promotion opportunities, areas of collaboration, and engagement around the upcoming Inclusive FinTech Forum #IFF2026.

Securitisation is once again at the centre of discussions on how Europe can better channel savings into investment.

As policymakers and market participants look to strengthen funding for companies and support long term growth, the role of securitisation, and the conditions needed for it to function effectively, are back on the agenda.

At our upcoming Focus on the Savings and Investments Union, we'll delve into how the importance of securitisation for growth, innovation and Europe's long term competitiveness, and what regulatory and market challenges still need to be addressed.

🎙️ Michael Genser, Head of Solvency Management, Deutsche Bank 🎙️ Paula Redondo Pereira, Head of Government Relations and Regulatory Strategy, Luxembourg Stock Exchange (LuxSE) 🎙️ Frank Mausen, Partner, A&O Shearman

Register here: https://lff.social/cbe

With thanks to our event sponsor, A&O Shearman Tom Théobald Simon Gorbutt Lynn Robbroeckx Benoît Theunissen Aurélie Zambeaux Sara Pereira Natacha O.

Introducing our new campaign: Grow with confidence. 🎬

A place where bold ambition can grow and scale. 📈

We're delighted to support the Scotland Investment Acceleration Programme, a collaborative initiative between the UK Government and the Scottish Cities Alliance (SCA). The programme will provide structured support, technical guidance and market intelligence to help local authorities and cities attract inward investment from around the globe, strengthening Scotland's investment capability and unlocking opportunities at scale.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Miles Celic OBE, said: "Scotland's world-class financial and professional services are key drivers of growth and innovation. We are excited to work with our public sector partners to boost investment and enhance collaboration between industry and government. This partnership will unlock new opportunities, create high-value jobs, and ensure Scotland remains at the forefront of the UK's international competitiveness."

We look forward to working with partners to deliver this programme.