Financial Center News #145

Today, on International Women's Day, the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) celebrates the remarkable women shaping the future of global finance. Across international financial centers, women are leading innovation, strengthening governance, and driving sustainable economic growth. At the World Alliance, we are proud to work with outstanding women across our global network who contribute every day to advancing collaboration between financial centers and to supporting the development of the global economy. Today is an opportunity to recognize their impact and to continue promoting diversity, opportunity, and leadership across the financial sector.

Happy International Women's Day.

Following the Extraordinary General Meeting and Board of Directors meeting in Malta, hosted by our member FinanceMalta 🇲🇹, this gathering also reflected Malta's unique role as a cultural crossroads where international financial centers come together. It was a great occasion to hear the statement of Lynn Robbroeckx, Treasurer of the World Alliance and Secretary General at Luxembourg for Finance. She shared a strong message highlighting the cohesion between international financial centers — once again demonstrated during this meeting — and the importance of continuing to work together to strengthen cooperation across the global network of financial hubs. 🤝

The UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, reaffirmed that the safety and security of citizens, residents and visitors remain a top national priority. His Highness thanked the UAE Armed Forces, security services and national teams for their dedication, while praising the strong community awareness and expressions of love and loyalty shown across the nation.

Today we mark International Women's Day. Becoming a parent and especially a girls' dad has made this day even more meaningful to me. It reminds me how important respect, choice and dignity are for every woman, and how much responsibility we all share for the kind of society we are shaping for the next generation. True equality is built through everyday actions. Through fair standards, equal opportunities and a culture where talent and professionalism matter more than gender.

I am fortunate to work alongside many outstanding women at AIFC who lead teams, make decisions, balance careers and family, and move complex work forward with confidence and resilience. Their contribution is essential and deeply valued.

International Women's Day is a moment to say thank you, but also a reminder that respect and support should be part of our daily mindset, not limited to one day on the calendar. Wishing all women strength, fulfillment and opportunities to realize their potential.

Are you based in Brazil and active in international finance? Join us in São Paulo on March 24, 2026.

The Bahamas Financial Services Board will be hosting a half‑day seminar and networking reception, highlighting corporate reorganizations (demergers and segregated account structures), trusts in a civil‑law context, the Bahamas Usufruct, regulatory modernization and The Bahamas' arbitration framework. The event is designed for any professionals working in cross‑border wealth management, legal, tax, compliance and advisory, with networking sessions included to continue discussions and build new connections. Get in touch with us to find out more!

Z/Yen Community Newsletter March 2026 — Busan Strengthens Maritime Finance Capabilities by Attracting two maritime-finance players.

Issuer: Z/Yen Group Limited — A think tank in the City of London established in 1994 by Michael Mainelli, the Mayor of the City of London for 2023/2024. Annually, Z/Yen publishes The Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI) and The Global Green Finance Index (GGFI), ranking over 120 cities worldwide.

Main contents: • Busan is strengthening its maritime-finance ecosystem by attracting Clarksons and Waterline Partners, with Waterline planning a phased headquarters relocation. • Clarksons brings shipbroking, shipping research, and market intelligence, while Waterline Partners adds specialist maritime investment expertise across the broader maritime value chain. • Their arrival supports Busan's strategy to grow into a full-fledged maritime-finance hub where maritime services, investment, and advisory activities are carried out locally.

Today, we celebrate the women shaping finance, innovation, and leadership across the DIFC ecosystem. From founders and investors to regulators and executives, their ideas, ambition, and leadership continue to move markets and create lasting impact.

MAURITIUS IN PARIS – AN EXCEPTIONAL EVENT!

We are delighted to meet you on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 5:30 pm at the Hilton Paris Opéra, 108 Rue Saint-Lazare, 75008 Paris, France.

Join us for an exclusive session of meetings and exchanges with experts in the Mauritian economy. This event represents a unique opportunity to make your projects a reality, whether it is to invest, finance, undertake, live, or retire in Mauritius.

Don't miss this special moment to make your dreams and projects come true towards a new horizon!

At the Insurance Sector Transformation Consultative Forum 2026, these remarkable women exemplified the spirit of "Give to Gain." Through their leadership, insights, and facilitation, they gave their time, expertise, and perspectives to drive meaningful dialogue on the future of Nigeria's insurance industry.

Their contributions enriched the conversations, strengthened collaboration across the sector, and reminded us that when leaders give generously of their knowledge and experience, the entire ecosystem gains.

Today, we celebrate their leadership and the impact they continue to make across the financial services industry.

Happy Birthday to our Chief Strategy Officer, Dr. Bernice Buttigieg! Her dedication, vision and leadership are the driving force behind FinanceMalta's continued growth and success. We're fortunate to have her guiding our strategy and inspiring the team every day. Wishing you a wonderful day, Bernice! 🎉

Attending a General Assembly is more than just participation — it is a voice that makes a difference.

The FSA has introduced regulations governing attendance at general assemblies and electronic voting to ensure secure and transparent shareholder participation.

On today's International Women's Day, we celebrate the many women who help shape and advance the Frankfurt financial centre every day. This year, the motto of International Women's Day is "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls" and reminds us of the importance of equal opportunities, visibility, participation and gender equality for a sustainable society.

"The Frankfurt financial centre has always thrived on the diversity of its players. Especially in times of change, strong female perspectives promote our ability to innovate. Different perspectives and mutual support are the basis for the continued success of our financial centre," says Bettina Orlopp, CEO of Commerzbank AG and member of the Executive Board of Frankfurt Main Finance, which currently includes three women.

International Women's Day is an opportunity for us to make the achievements of women in the financial sector visible and at the same time to continue to work to ensure that diversity and equal opportunities shape the Frankfurt financial centre even more strongly.

Reminder: Submissions to the WAIFC Young Academic Award 2026, organized by the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC), are open! This competition invites early-career researchers to bring forward new ideas on the future of finance, financial centers, regulation, and innovation.

The Young Academic Award offers researchers from universities, think tanks, and research institutes a valuable chance to showcase their work on a global stage and engage with the global financial community.

Important deadlines: • Submission deadline (papers / essays): 30 April 2026 • Final papers due: 30 May 2026

Future Finance Poland, as a WAIFC member, is proud to support this initiative. Paweł Widawski, President of Future Finance Poland, will once again participate as a member of the Award's international jury, joining leading experts from financial hubs and academic institutions worldwide.

Recently, the Financial Services Development Council had the privilege of hosting Alexandra Jour-Schroeder / Raffaella Assetta of the European Commission, Richard Teng of Binance, and CHO Yong-byoung from the Korean Federation of Banks, along with many other distinguished visitors from around the world.

No talking points. No formal agendas. Just open, honest dialogue.

We covered a lot of ground: family offices, capital markets development, digital asset regulatory frameworks, and beyond. What struck me most was not our differences, but our common ground.

Across jurisdictions, we share fundamental regulatory principles. Of course, each economy faces unique constraints and operates at its own pace, and those differences are natural and healthy. But the alignment on core values is undeniable.

What I consistently emphasized is Hong Kong's approach: prudent, consistent, and indiscriminatory. We don't play favorites. We don't lower the bar for specific segments. This provides certainty, and it is something global businesses value most.

Global institutions are choosing Hong Kong not for shortcuts, but for the long game. Grateful to every visitor who made time for these meaningful exchanges. The dialogue continues.

Happy International Women's Day to all the women who add value to every aspect of life and shape the future with their dedication.

Building strong financial foundations starts with understanding the basics.

At our recent 'Future Connect: Build Your Wealth Basics' event, Declan Falla from LGT Wealth Management focussed on the core principles that support long-term financial wellbeing. From goal-setting and risk awareness, to the power of compounding and consistent investing.

Key takeaways included: • The importance of starting early • Balancing cash, investing and inflation • Aligning risk with realistic, long-term goals • How small, regular actions drive meaningful progress over time

Empowering the next generation with financial knowledge is essential for future success.

On International Women's Day, the 3rd Edition of the Inclusive Fintech Forum Golf Tournament, proudly sponsored by Equity Group Holdings PLC, brought together global leaders, innovators, and partners for a day of strategic networking while celebrating the remarkable contributions of women advancing financial inclusion.

As asset classes grow more complex and expectations around transparency increase, valuation practices are evolving to meet stronger regulatory and operational demands.

Founded in 1996, Value & Risk - Valuation Services GmbH is an independent European valuation specialist, headquartered in Frankfurt with an office in Luxembourg. The firm supports institutional investors, AIFMs and custodians across Europe with robust valuation frameworks. With a team of senior valuation professionals and all activities performed in-house, the firm combines experienced expertise with a proprietary technology platform that automates parts of the valuation process. AI tools are used to detect price anomalies and assist with document analysis, helping manage complex portfolios while maintaining strong governance.

As the profession becomes more technology-driven and multidisciplinary, the ability to combine financial expertise, strong governance and advanced infrastructure is becoming increasingly important.

Our CEO Daniel Mainda will join global financial leaders at the Inclusive FinTech Forum in Kigali, Rwanda.

He will contribute to the discussion on "Financial Centres and the Future of Cross-Border Capital," examining how emerging financial centres can strengthen regulatory clarity, deepen capital markets, and enable seamless cross-border investment.

As global finance evolves, well-structured financial centre frameworks are becoming essential to mobilising capital and strengthening investor confidence. Through the Nairobi International Financial Centre, we continue advancing Nairobi as a globally competitive gateway for capital into Africa.

The World Meets Nairobi.

As regional developments continue, QFC operations remain uninterrupted and core services continue to operate as normal.

To support our community, we've compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about licensing, client services, immigration support, and how to access QFC services.

Read through the FAQs for key updates and guidance.

On 17 & 18 April 2026, "Invest — the financial event for your future" will take place, with Boerse Stuttgart Group as co-organiser. For two days, everything revolves around investment, financial trends and direct exchange with experts from the industry.

All Investor Club members have the opportunity to secure a free ticket for Invest again this year. Simply generate a code and redeem it at Messe Stuttgart's online ticket shop. Registration with the investor club is also free of charge.

With International Women's Day taking place this Sunday, our colleagues share what the day means to them.

Brenda Mbathi, CEO of Two Rivers International Finance and Innovation Centre (TRIFIC SEZ), attended the Women Corporate Directors (WCD) Forum, where the panel emphasized that advancing leadership requires courage, credibility, and deliberate action.

Globally, women hold 23.3% of board seats, 8.4% of board chair roles, and 6% of CEO/MD positions. In Kenya, these numbers are even stronger: 24% of board seats, 21% of board chairs, and 32% of CEOs/MDs — a reflection of the country's deep pool of talent, where excellence is not bound by gender.

TRIFIC SEZ was proud to be represented alongside Jane Karuku, Catherine Igathe, and other distinguished leaders at this important conversation.