Financial Center News #80

📩 The WAIFC Newsletter of December 2024 is out! ▶️

💡 Highlights from this edition: • 🎙️ Special Interview with Ahmet İhsan Erdem: The CEO of Istanbul Financial Center shares insights on their WAIFC membership and their vision for global financial collaboration. • 📈 Six Years of #WAIFC: Reflecting on WAIFC’s growth to 29 international financial hubs and its efforts in innovation and climate finance.

💡Key Member Updates: • Hong Kong’s research on internationalizing China’s carbon market Financial Services Development Council • DIFC’s commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2045 ♻️ • Jersey Finance’s advancements in tokenization and digital assets 💻 • Casablanca Finance City’s partnership with Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority 🌟

🗓️ Upcoming Events to Watch: • Asia Financial Forum 2025 in Hong Kong this January. • Tokyo Asset Management Forum 2025, focusing on EM investment opportunities, by FinCity.Tokyo (東京国際金融機構) • Inclusive Fintech Forum 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda, exploring financial inclusion innovations, by Kigali International Financial Centre.

👉 If you’ve received this newsletter from a colleague or friend, don’t miss out on future updates—subscribe now to stay connected to the latest developments in international finance: https://lnkd.in/eEs4uwvF

📲Read the full newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/eZd8Aa_u

#WAIFC #GlobalFinance #Innovation #Sustainability #FinTech #FinancialHubs

🚀 Exciting News The exclusive interview with Ahmet İhsan Erdem, CEO of the Istanbul Financial Center, is now available.

In this insightful discussion, he highlights: 🔹 Istanbul Financial Center's recent membership in the #WAIFC 🌐 🔹 Opportunities for global collaboration and innovation 🤝 🔹 Strategic advantages that make IFC a top destination for investors 📈

He also shares the center's vision: 🏢 A dynamic hub for sustainable financial innovation 💡 Focus on fintech, Islamic finance, and cutting-edge technologies like AI 🌍 A platform to foster collaboration across sectors and markets With its state-of-the-art infrastructure and ambitious programs, IFC is ready to play a key role in shaping the future of the financial ecosystem. 🚀

📲 Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/eZd8Aa_u

A new era of financial collaboration is here!

ADGM has signed a landmark MoU with Beijing Financial Street Service Bureau during #ADFW2024, marking a strategic partnership that strengthens ties between two global financial hubs.

This agreement is set to allow for greater international collaboration and foster innovation, cross-border business opportunities and coordinated growth between Abu Dhabi and Beijing.

Visit https://lnkd.in/d76euGFy to learn more.

💐 Happy Independence Day!

The AIFC team extends its warmest congratulations on Kazakhstan’s Independence Day!

We wish you prosperity, good health, and endless inspiration for new achievements. May peace and harmony always be with us.

Casablanca Finance City Authority (CFCA) and Cabo Verde TradeInvest (CVTI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering collaboration and boosting investments and exports between Cabo Verde and Morocco.

This strategic partnership focuses on facilitating joint business ventures, supporting economic initiatives in priority sectors and promoting shared opportunities for sustainable growth.

Big thanks to : Ms. Leida Santos, CVTI Administrator Ms. Alcidia Alfama, CVTI Marketing and Promotion Director Ms. Vanine Spencer, CVTI Exportations Coordinator

#CFC #CVTI #Collaboration #InvestmentOpportunities #SustainableGrowth

'Seizing the Moment: Growth Prospects for Private Credit in the GCC and Egypt', is the region's first report dedicated to this emerging asset class.

As the region's gateway to Private Capital, #DIFC has collaborated with PwC Middle East to outline how this asset class can fuel economic growth and diversification across the GCC and in Egypt.

Download the report: https://lnkd.in/d8sGgmba

#PrivateCredit #GCC #Egypt #Investment #Finance #DIFC #PwC

📅 Save the Date: FinanceMalta Members Meeting 2025 Attention FinanceMalta Members! Mark your calendars for the Members Meeting 2025, happening on 22nd January 2025. Stay tuned — more details will be shared in the coming days! We look forward to seeing you there for an insightful and engaging event. #FinanceMalta #MembersMeeting2025 #SaveTheDate

📢 Announcement of New Members

On December 12, 2024, the FinCity.Tokyo Board of Directors convened and officially approved the membership of the following two companies as Emerging Corporate Members:

✨ INCITE Consulting Inc. ✨ De Capital Inc.

Additionally, on October 1, 2024, the following companies also joined FinCity.Tokyo as members:

✨JAPAN POST INSURANCE Co., Ltd. (Voting Member*) ✨Tokai Tokyo Financial Holdings, Inc. (Voting Member*) ✨DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited (Associate Member) ✨FNZ Japan Co., Ltd. (Emerging Corporate Member) ✨LUCA Japan Co., Ltd. (Emerging Corporate Member)

* Shall have the right to vote on matters submitted to the general meeting of members, such as the election of directors.

With these additions, the total number of FinCity.Tokyo member companies has now reached 59. Together with our new members, we remain committed to further strengthening Tokyo's financial ecosystem and driving sustainable growth.

🚀 Frankfurt on the rise in ESG fintechs on the rise 🌱

The European ESG fintech landscape is growing rapidly, as the study "Snapshot of the European ESG FinTech environment" presented by EY and Frankfurt Main Finance shows. In 2024, there are already 371 ESG fintechs – an impressive 27% growth since 2022. 🚀 But while the number of fintechs is increasing, the funding volume fell to €581 million (2023).

Frankfurt is positioning itself as an up-and-coming location in Europe: ✅ B2B orientation: 70% of Frankfurt's ESG fintechs are active in the B2B sector – a top figure compared to other European hubs. ✅ Focus on data and rating: 50% of Frankfurt's ESG fintechs are dedicated to this essential area. ✅ Networking with industry: The proximity to companies in German industry offers unique opportunities.

🌍 Despite impressive rankings (e.g. 25th place in the Global Financial Center Index) and innovative approaches, there is still a lot of untapped potential. The study shows that there is a need for more visibility for financing options, a stronger exchange between providers and customers, and targeted funding programs for ESG startups.

Other countries offer role models: sandbox programs, public-private partnerships and specialized accelerators could help Frankfurt consolidate its role as a European ESG fintech hub.

💡 The opportunities are there. Now is the time to seize it. Frankfurt has the potential not only to keep up with the big hubs, but to overtake them.

👉 The complete study can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eFQ8PknY

🔵 Activities within the Open Finance Specialization 🔵

As part of the Open Finance specialization at Future Finance Poland, in collaboration with FinTech Poland and the law firm DLK Legal with legal counsel Krzysztof Korus, PhD, as its expert, we conducted a workshop on PSD3 and PSR. In the regulatory workstream, alongside representatives of the Regulatory Competitiveness Council, we held two workshops focusing on developing a position regarding the FIDA regulation. We are currently finalizing our position paper, which will soon be submitted to the Ministry of Finance. During our work, we identified the need to gather broader insights from institutions and companies engaged in the topic of open finance. To address this, we plan to conduct a study to capture a wider market perspective on Open Finance and to assess the potential of collaboratively developed concepts. The study will encompass both consumers and businesses. 🙌 We encourage everyone to participate in the consultations and share their perspectives. Stay tuned for updates!

Visa Artur Bartosiak, Pawel Widawski, Piotr Brewiński, Katarzyna Multan, Kasia Jedlińska, Zuzanna Krauzowicz, Aneta Girdwoyń (Kmoch), Anna Malanowska

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗼𝗻𝗴’𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀

#FSDC Chairman, Mr Laurence Li SC, moderated panels at the HK01 Economic Summit 2024, discussing how financial innovation can enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness by attracting investments, leveraging fintech like CBDCs, balancing regulation with innovation, and nurturing talent for sustainable growth.

Excited to be part of shaping Hong Kong’s financial future!

#FinancialInnovation #EconomicSummit2024 #FinancialServices #AI #TalentDevelopment #HongKong #GlobalFinance #FinTech

What makes financial centers essential for today’s economy?

Discover their role in fostering connectivity, innovation, and resilience in an ever-changing global landscape.

Dive deeper into the article here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-global-financial-centers-economy-istanbulfinancialcenter-6qa9f/

👀 Watch this New York seminar for expert insights on asset tokenization and its impact on private asset fund distribution: https://jsy.fi/3DdSii8

This recent event, for investment managers, lawyers and service providers, was hosted by IFI Global in partnership with Jersey Finance. It explored impacts on fund accessibility and liquidity, regulatory considerations and challenges, investor demographics and case studies.

Watch it now: https://jsy.fi/3DdSii8

#Funds #FundManagers #AlternativeInvestments #PrivateEquity #InvestmentFunds #FamilyOffice #WealthManagement #DigitalAssets #DigitalAssetManagement #Tokenization #Securitisation

Philip Pirecki Elliot Refson

Last week, we hosted a KIFC Club networking event to celebrate with our esteemed club members and welcome new additions to our growing community.

The KIFC Club is a premier Pan-African financial network that offers members exclusive access to a thriving pan-African financial community.

Learn more about the club: https://lnkd.in/dEWkstCa

China's outbound investment is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, with capital flowing into offshore assets.

During our recent China Finance Forum, Natasha Xie, Partner at JunHe LLP, shared valuable insights into the mechanisms enabling the internationalization of Chinese capital. She touched on the QDLP, TRS, and other pathways for outbound investments.

➡️ Watch the full replay: bit.ly/4hlrs7k

#ChinaFinanceForum #GlobalFinance #ChinaMarkets

Happy #QatarNationalDay from the QFC family to yours! 🇶🇦

We marked #QND2024 with traditions, great food, and unforgettable moments! 🎉 From traditional tents to photobooth fun, it was a celebration of Qatar’s rich heritage and unity.

Cooperation with JOBLINGE 🪴

Last week, we held a self-presentation workshop for young people together with the Boerse Stuttgart Group and JOBLINGE. In the process, 16 dedicated employees of the Boerse Stuttgart Group supported 26 young people as mentors in order to develop convincing self-presentations for future job interviews.

In addition, the Boerse Stuttgart Group has donated 15 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 and we are already looking forward to the next event. A big thank you to everyone who was there! 🙌

Our roundup of 2024 As we come to the end of 2024, we’ve taken a look at some of the key outcomes we’ve delivered this year across our strategic priorities on behalf of our members and the financial and related professional services industry:

✅ Long-term competitiveness – Influencing policy to unlock UK capital markets and strengthen our global standing.

🤝 Trust and reputation – Shaping reforms for pensions, regulation and a pro-growth agenda.

🌍 International engagement – Championing trade, attracting investment and fostering global partnerships.

🏢 Regions and nations – Advocating for local growth, infrastructure investment and skills development.

🌱 Green and sustainable finance – Leading the transition to net zero and scaling carbon markets.

Through thought leadership, research and collaboration with policymakers, we’re helping to facilitate inclusive growth in the UK.

🔗 Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eZHBZCTG #Finance #Sustainability #Innovation #Policy #EconomicGrowth #UKLeadership

Celebrating Two Decades of Impact with Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)!

This week, we had the privilege of joining the KEPSA 20th Anniversary Gala, a remarkable celebration of two decades of driving Kenya’s economic transformation. As a proud member, TRIFIC SEZ was honored to participate in this milestone event, showcasing our commitment to fostering investment and innovation.

With our booth on display, we had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, sharing TRIFIC’s vision of creating a dynamic ecosystem that bridges global markets and unlocks Kenya's economic potential.

A special highlight was witnessing our CEO, Brenda Mbathi, in her capacity as KEPSA Vice Chair, taking part alongside H.E. President William Ruto, H.E Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya of MITI, and other esteemed state members. This symbolic moment underscored the collaboration and unity driving Kenya’s business agenda forward.

As we reflect on KEPSA’s incredible journey, we are inspired by the collective efforts that have shaped Kenya’s economic landscape.

#AfricasGatewayToTheWorld #TRIFICSEZ #KEPSA #KEPSA20