Financial Center News #39

Join our enlightening one-hour online event, “Leading Across Continents,” in collaboration with our member FinanceMalta, in honor of International Women’s Day 👩.

This session is dedicated to showcasing female leaders from various continents, where we will delve into their inspiring journeys and discover the distinctive leadership styles they employ to make a global impact.

📅 Date: 13th March 2024

🕛 Time: 12:00 pm (CET)

📝 Agenda: Introduction

🗣️ Dr. Bernice Buttigieg, Chief Strategy Officer at FinanceMalta

Panel Discussion - Insights from Female Leaders Across Continents

🗣️ Lamia MERZOUKI, Vice Chair of WAIFC and COO at Casablanca Finance City

🗣️ Graziella Grech DLJ MBA (Henley) CertFinTech (ACCA), Chief Operating Officer at FinanceMalta

🗣️ Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer at DIFC

🗣️ Obi Ibekwe, Chief Executive Officer at EnterpriseNGR

🗣️ Le YU, Head of International Relations at Frankfurt Main Finance

Tom Théobald is set to become the new CEO of Luxembourg for Finance 🇱🇺 starting 1 September 2024. He will take over from our board member Nicolas Mackel as the next chief executive of Luxembourg for Finance.

📲 https://lnkd.in/ersCa_-B

🌟 Exciting Insights from the EU Roundtable! 🌍💼

Today, in Brussels, the EU Roundtable of Financial Centres convened, embodying the richness of diversity and the power of unity in our shared objectives. It was an honor for Febelfin to facilitate a dialogue among representatives from various EU financial hubs, charting a collective path forward for our industry.

Heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed guests:

🔹 Anne GAIGNARD, CEO of Place des Investisseurs,

🔹 Claire Godding, Co-Chair of Women in Finance, and

🔹 Benoît van den Hove, CEO of Euronext Brussels.

Their invaluable insights and perspectives shed light on vital themes such as strengthening financial markets and fostering diversity in the financial industry. By embracing diversity and leveraging our collective expertise, we can drive positive change and shape a more resilient and equitable future for all stakeholders.

Thanks to all participants for working hand in hand to create a thriving financial ecosystem that serves the needs of our diverse communities.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Global Market and Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, speaks to Clare Woodman, Head of Morgan Stanley EMEA and CEO of Morgan Stanley & Co International plc about why Abu Dhabi and ADGM has been the destination of choice for global financial institutions such and Morgan Stanley and recent economic shifts and transitions that are positioning the capital as the leading financial hub.

#ADGM #ADDED #MorganStanley #EMEA #GlobalFinance #Economy #FinancialHub

🌏 The Astana International Financial Centre has released the "AIFC Participants Annual Overview" for 2023, highlighting key achievements and growth figures. ⠀ Here are the noteworthy highlights: · By the end of 2023, the AIFC hosted 2,394 participants. This number has since grown, reaching over 2,500 companies from 78 countries by February 2024, demonstrating the AIFC's expanding appeal and supportive ecosystem for a broad range of businesses. · We have a diverse international presence, with 964 companies involving foreign investors from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. · The industry distribution within AIFC includes 30% financial services, 5%, professional services, and 65% other sectors. · AIFC participants contributed 85,2B tenge in taxes, reflecting the economic impact of our community. · Our ecosystem has also created 7,330 local job places, supporting Kazakhstan's development. · AIFC has also helped business to raise $10,5B in investments, fueling innovation and sectoral growth. · The AIFC continues to work on creating a conducive investment environment, enhancing the securities market, and supporting financial services, technologies, and innovative ventures. ⠀ 💡 What trends are observed? · The growth in investment tools and global market integration highlights the AIFC's robust framework and strategic advantages. · The focus on professional services underlines the benefits of our regulatory framework, tax regime, and market access. ⠀ For detailed insights and more information, check out the full annual overview. It's an opportunity to understand AIFC's role and contributions in more depth. ⠀ Visit our official website for more reports and information: https://lnkd.in/eJrNnVKi

Z/Yen Community Newsletter March 2024 has been published! 🤗 The March newsletter is about Busan's efforts to become a global hub city. The original news can be found at the link below.

Busan's Leap Towards Becoming ‘Global Hub City’: In 2024, South Korea unveiled a plan to develop Busan into a 'Busan Global Hub City', aimed at promoting balanced national growth. This strategy positions Busan as a major player in three sectors: 1) an international logistics hub with significant ports and the upcoming Gadeok Island Airport, 2) a global financial center, leveraging its position in the Global Financial Centres Index and the Busan Blockchain Regulation Free Special Zone, and 3) a leader in digital and advanced industries, ranking high in Asia's smart cities. Marking 2024 as a pivotal year, Busan introduced the 'Busan Global Hub City Development Special Act' on January 25. This legislation focuses on transforming Busan into a key center for logistics, finance, and digital industries while enhancing its urban environment, culture, education, and tourism. Major projects include opening Gadeok Island Airport, relocating the Industrial Bank of Korea's headquarters, developing the financial sector, and redeveloping the North Port area. President Yoon Vows to make Busan a Global Hub City.

👉 https://www.zyen.com/news/now-zyen-blog/zyen-community-newsletter-march-2024/ Z/Yen Group Limited Busan Finance Center

The Capital Market Authority of Oman is hosting the IOSCO Technical Assistance Workshop on Developing On-site Inspection Manuals for the Africa/Middle-East region.

Over the next two days, thirty supervision specialists from the region and beyond will discuss different approaches taken with respect to on-site inspection manuals and will share their experiences.

This practical workshop builds on IOSCO’s overarching Technical Assistance Program which was first introduced in 2017.  The Program’s objective is to help securities regulators develop their own on-site inspection manuals and is targeted at select groups of growth and emerging market members around the world.

#securitiesregulation #supervision #inspections #capacitybuilding

A big thank you to Capital Club Dubai for hosting CFC and allowing us to spotlight Morocco's exceptional potential during an engaging conference on the theme "Morocco Unveiled: Gateway to Africa!"

The event was brimming with insightful discussions and exciting exchanges.

Special thanks to all the participants and partners whose valuable contributions made this event a success!

Sanjeev Gupta Mohamed K. Mehdi Lahrichi Bullent Erdogan

#CasablancaFinanCity #Morocco #Investments #Hub #Business #UAE

Starting off the 100 days from #COP28 event with welcoming words from by Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer at #DIFC. #Sustainibilty #SustainableFinanceCatalyst CISI Middle East

✅As we step further into 2024, it is an opportune time to reflect on the remarkable achievements of the past year and to outline our ambitions for the months ahead.

🌐Check out our first newsletter of 2024! https://lnkd.in/dkxh6c5e

#edbmauritius #edbNewsletter #businessopportunities #economicgrowth #IndustryNews #investmentstrategies #investment #trade #africabusiness #Mauritius

Leading Across Continents

As the world celebrates the International Women’s Day (IWD) this March, our Chief Executive Officer Obi Ibekwe will be speaking along other three women leaders at Leading Across Continents, an online session hosted by FinanceMalta and the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC).

📅 Wednesday, 13th March 2024 🕛 12:00 pm (CET) #FinancialServices #WomenInFinance

This morning, FinanceMalta COO Graziella Grech and Marketing Executive Cristina Antoniolli were invited to attend a Women’s Day breakfast organized by The Phoenicia Malta. This meet-up was dedicated to celebrating female leaders in the workplace and community.

I'll visit London March 19-25 with FinCity.Tokyo (東京国際金融機構) Any Fintech/Insurtech startups who are interested in Japan market and want to know the "Attraction U" program backed by FinCity. Tokyo

Please reach me out for a chat! 😍 https://lnkd.in/fYbZvr6

Berlin is 9,000 kilometers away from Tokyo, but the bond between Germany and Japan is obvious. Both countries are actively developing their bilateral relationship - a true #transformation partnership. Given their deep roots in global trade and their net-zero commitments, Germany and Japan share a common need for transformation.

In our latest Frankfurt Main Finance #Study, we provide insights into an innovative three-step approach to effectively manage global supply chain risks. A response to today's challenges to promote resilience and sustainable business. Click here to read the full study: https://brnw.ch/21wHtFF

🌟 #FSDC Vice-Chairman, Mr Daniel Fung, recently participated in a thought-provoking plenary panel titled "Global and EU Sustainability Policy and Regulatory Development in Motion” at the EFFAS Asia Summit. It was an honor to share the stage with esteemed panelists including Mr Fritz Mostböck, Deputy Chairperson of EFFAS and Head of Group Research at Erste Group Bank AG, Mr Hans Buysse, President of the EFRAG Administrative Board, and Prof Alexander Bassen, Chair of the Independent Standards Board (ISB) and GHG Protocol.

The discussion was insightful, offering valuable perspectives on the regulatory landscape between the European Union and Hong Kong. It served as an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and exploring the latest developments in sustainability policies and their implementation.

Mr Fung shed light on the significance of sustainability policy and development in Hong Kong and China, emphasizing the crucial need for collaboration among governments, financial institutions, industry associations, and other stakeholders. Strengthening ESG capacity across the financial system is imperative for fostering a deeper understanding of ESG principles. Stay tuned for more updates on our sustainability initiatives at #FSDC.

#FSDC #finance #financialdevelopment #Sustainability #RegulatoryDevelopment #GlobalCollaboration #fsdchonkong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB)

The Government of Jersey has launched its Sustainable Finance Consultation Paper to gather the views of its stakeholders in the finance industry and in the wider community on what its framework and policy approach to sustainable finance should look like.   This forms part of our ongoing strategy to ensure Jersey is recognized as the leading sustainable international finance center in the markets it serves.

Read more: https://jsy.fi/3V845W3

✍Yesterday, the @Kigali International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) entered into a partnership establishing a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the two financial centers.

Read the Full Press Release: https://lnkd.in/dK-VHAAB

According to a report jointly published by the World Economic Forum and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, Cambridge Judge Business School, the global fintech industry remains robust and resilient despite challenging macroeconomic conditions.

Some of the key findings include:

1.  Regulatory hurdles pose a notable challenge, with FinTech licensing and registration processes being particularly cumbersome.

2.  Persistent issues in digital and financial literacy affect regions worldwide, impacting both developed and developing markets alike.

3.  FinTechs are seen as catalysts for positive change, emphasising youth-driven growth, diverse recruitment strategies, and a commitment to sustainability.

Read the report : https://bit.ly/3SVpxuM

#FinTech #report #finance #innovation #digital #financialservices

⭐️ As part of the #FintechforTomorrow Challenge, the finalists of the 2023 edition had the opportunity to participate in a Masterclass by on bank financing for impact companies. Our finalists Eversea, finres, Climate Dividends and ValueCo were able to discover how banks support them in the development of impact start-ups with Marie-Line Eyermann. #Fintech #Startup #innovation

Balthazar Schlumberger . Mathieu Joubrel Thibault Zimmermann Lionel POURCHIER Ihsan Rkaibi Galien DEL VECCHIO 🧑🏻‍💻🌱 Tarek Ennouri

At the recent Web Summit Qatar, QFC proudly hosted a session at the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council booth. This event served as a platform to showcase our strategic partnership with QRDI, and emphasizing our key role in facilitating the licensing process for startups in Qatar. 🚀

During this engaging session, a distinguished representative from EVYD Technology, one of QFC's esteemed clients, shared his insightful journey as a QFC-licensed firm. He elaborated on the dynamic and supportive relationship between QFC and its clients, which has been instrumental in their growth and success. 💻

Furthermore, we took this opportunity to introduce our innovative Digital Assets Lab to the attendees. This pioneering initiative is designed to empower businesses looking to expand into the GCC region by leveraging our comprehensive platform.

The Global Services Coalition, with TheCityUK proudly serving as one of the co-convenors, has released a press statement highlighting the renewal of the WTO moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions for an additional two years.

John Cooke, Co-Chair of our Liberalisation of Trade in Services Expert Advisory Group, commented: “Global business needs the WTO, and a unified and settled consensus on the global rules-based system that it stands for. MC13, while clearly marking some very welcome steps forward, also highlighted its potential fragility.”

For more info, read the full statement here https://lnkd.in/gRfYmetm #WTOMC13AbuDhabi #TheCityUK