Financial Center News #99

💡 WAIFC Newsletter April Edition is out now!

🔵 VOICES: We feature an exclusive interview with Vinay Guddye, Director at the Economic Development Board Mauritius & WAIFC Board Member, who dives deep into the potential of Mauritius' Blue Economy and shares how EDB is shaping the future with innovation-driven investments.

🧠 OPINIONS: Don't miss Thomas Krantz's thoughtful analysis on AI in financial services – is it a true revolution or an evolution of what we've already known?

🌍 NEWS: WAIFC joins the global fintech elite at Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam this June.

📅 And from Jersey Finance to Luxembourg for Finance, ADGM to Future Finance Poland and Casablanca Finance City to EDB Mauritius, our members are shaping the future of finance – from blockchain innovation to biodiversity investment strategies. #WAIFC #Finance #Innovation #AI #Fintech #BlueEconomy #GlobalFinance

🤝 Easter is a time of renewal, hope, and unity. As we celebrate, let's embrace the spirit of progress and possibility for ourselves, for our communities, and the WAIFC.

WAIFC and its members are building a future rooted in resilience and shared success. Warm Easter wishes from all of us. #Easter2025 #TogetherWeRise

🎙️ The Capital Market Authority of Oman participated in the 30th meeting of the Committee of Heads of GCC Capital Market Authorities, held in Kuwait. This participation underscores the Authority's dedication to strengthening financial integration and facilitating the exchange of regulatory expertise throughout the region.

📌 The World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC), represented by our Managing Director Jochen Biedermann, will be part of the jury panel for the FinTech World Cup – Sri Lanka Regional Qualifiers, happening on 23 April 2025 at Port City Colombo.

Organized by Trescon, powered by Ignyte, and in partnership with the Fintech Association of Sri Lanka (FASL), this qualifier will spotlight the region's most promising FinTech innovations, with the winners earning a chance to pitch on the global stage at #DFS2025 in Dubai.

Meet the esteemed jury: Syed Musheer Ahmed, Paul Li, Nicholas D., Dr. Alexander Titov, Takeshi Kito, Mirna Sleiman, Jochen Biedermann, and Pat Patel. #DFS2025 #DIFC #FinTechWorldCup

ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) has published its Business Plan for 2025–2026, outlining its strategic direction for the next two years.

The FSRA remains focused on delivering its statutory objectives, including fostering a fair, transparent and efficient environment that supports the growth of the financial services sector, while advancing the broader strategic goals of ADGM.

Key priorities include continued alignment with international standards, preventing financial crime, enhancing the operational resilience of market participants, strengthening conduct standards within ADGM and driving progress in technological innovation.

✨ Expat Loyalty Club Community officially launched at AIFC!

On 18 April, the Expat Centre of the Astana International Financial Centre launched the Expat Loyalty Club Community — a new initiative designed to bring together foreign professionals living and working in Kazakhstan, along with their families.

🤝 The initiative aims to: 🔹 Create a welcoming environment for expats 🔹 Promote cultural exchange and professional networking 🔹 Support a smooth and enjoyable transition to life in Kazakhstan

Members of the Expat Loyalty Club gain access to: ✅ Special offers from AIFC partners — hotels, real estate agencies, restaurants, clinics, schools and more ✅ Invitations to cultural and networking events ✅ Tailored support from the AIFC Expat Centre team

As part of CFC's ongoing commitment to empowering its community, the CFC Toastmasters Club is proud to host a special Masterclass this April 25 with Mohammed Qahtani, World Champion of Public Speaking 2015.

Internationally recognized for his powerful blend of humor, storytelling, and emotional impact, Mohammed Qahtani turned his personal challenge with stuttering into an inspiring voice that resonates across the globe.

The Masterclass is now fully booked! If you're interested in public speaking workshops and you're an employee of a CFC member company, don't hesitate to join the CFC Toastmasters Club. #CFCCommunity #Toastmasters #Leadership #CasablancaFinanceCity

The second edition of the Dubai AI Festival commenced at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of #Dubai.

Organized by the Dubai AI Campus — a DIFC initiative and a flagship event of Dubai AI Week — in strategic partnership with the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office, the Festival welcomed over 10,000 experts, 500+ investors, and decision-makers from more than 100 countries, under the theme 'Enabling Digital Economies'.

#DubaiAIFestival #DIFC #DubaiAICampus #AILeadership #DubaiAIWeek

We are pleased to share a recently published report that offers insights into the key sectors driving Mauritius' economy.

The report, originally published on businessfocus.org.uk, provides valuable context for investors, businesses, and policymakers interested in Mauritius' economic potential and strategic direction. It reflects how the nation continues to evolve through innovation, resilience, and proactive governance.

At EnterpriseNGR, we kicked off our Quarterly Members' Night (QMN) Q1 2025 with powerful conversations on the role of the media in promoting Nigeria's Financial and Professional Services (FPS) sector.

Special thank you to DLM Capital Group, one of EnterpriseNGR's Founding Members, for sponsoring this QMN and collaborating with us to advance Nigeria's FPS sector. #EnterpriseNGR #FPSsector #Nigeria

Episode 101 of the FinTalks podcast is now live! 🎙️

In this FinTalks episode, we speak with Joseph Camilleri, Chairman of Mellifera Kartiera Ltd, a Malta-based financial institution offering secure and efficient payment solutions for businesses.

Joseph shares his perspective on Malta's growing reputation as a FinTech hub and how Mellifera is building the infrastructure to match it. We dive into Mellifera's core offerings — from IBAN accounts and SEPA credit transfers to virtual card issuing and card acquiring — and explore how the company is leveraging deep industry experience and cutting-edge tech to simplify payments across Europe.

Joseph also reflects on his leadership journey, the role of compliance and innovation, and why Malta remains a strategic base for scaling financial services. #FinancialServices #FinTech #Leadership #Governance

🔷 Key highlights from the speech of H.E. Abdullah bin Salem Al Salmi, Executive President of the Financial Services Authority, at the press conference for the National Health Insurance Platform "Dhamani." #FSA #Dhamani #health_insurance

Quo vadis European Capital Markets Union? – Challenges and opportunities for banks 💼

In this article, Eddy Henning, Michael Torben Menk and Joachim von Schorlemer take a look at the European Capital Markets Union and the opportunities and challenges it brings with it for banks and the European economy.

🔑 Key takeaways: • The role of banks in financing large-scale projects and transformations • Why a functioning Capital Markets Union is crucial for Europe • Opportunities and hurdles for banks in dealing with the deregulation of the securitization market

#CapitalMarkets #Banks #EU #FIRM2025

👋 The inauguration of the "Digital Identity" Specialization Track is now behind us.

On April 17, together with our partners, we officially launched the "Digital Identity" initiative — a platform that brings together experts and practitioners from the financial sector and public administration to shape the future of identity in the digital age.

This initiative wouldn't have been possible without the support of our fantastic partners: Mastercard, Visa, Obserwatorium.biz, IDentonic, and Schoenherr Attorneys at Law.

Key topics discussed: 🔹 Upcoming changes related to eIDAS 2.0 and the European Digital Identity Framework 🔹 The financial sector's readiness for European Identity Wallets 🔹 New business opportunities for digital services 🔹 Public-private collaboration in building solutions based on mObywatel

In May, we're kicking off hands-on projects within this specialization. Stay tuned!

🌍 Co-Hosted Earth Forum: Advancing Hong Kong's Sustainable Finance Agenda 🌱

Themed "Green Capital, Global Connect – Shaping Hong Kong as a Sustainable Finance Hub", co-hosted with Friends of the Earth (HK) and China SIF, Earth Forum 2025 brought together industry leaders to discuss strategies for advancing sustainable finance and aligning with global standards.

Two panel discussions centered on Hong Kong's roadmap to adopt the #ISSB Standards by 2028, emphasizing the importance of consistent, high-quality sustainability disclosures to enhance transparency and trust in global markets.

The forum underscored our city's commitment to becoming a future-ready green finance hub and advancing a sustainable, transparent financial ecosystem. #SustainableFinance #GreenFinance #HongKong #FSDC #EarthForum2025

It was a pleasure to welcome a distinguished delegation from the Oman Investment Authority to the Istanbul Financial Center. We had the opportunity to exchange views on strategic cooperation and long-term investment opportunities between our countries.

With Türkiye's growing role as a regional hub and Oman's expanding global investment footprint, the potential for joint initiatives is clear.

Thank you to Sheikh Nasser Sulaiman Al Harthy, the Deputy President for Operations at OIA and Mr. Ibrahim Al Eisri, Chief Investment Officer of the OIA for the insightful discussions. We look forward to building on this dialogue and exploring areas of mutual growth.

Discover how the financial services industry is evolving and how Jersey plans to remain at the forefront in Joe Moynihan's latest blog post.

By signing the membership charter today, Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) and Women In Finance Rwanda (WIFR) launched a partnership to advance gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in workplace practices.

The agreement, signed by our CEO Nick Barigye and WIFR Co-Founder Belinda Bwiza, marks the beginning of a shared commitment to shaping a more inclusive organization and financial services sector as a whole.

Women in Finance Rwanda Foundation (WIFR) is a member-led organization which promotes diversity and gender equality in financial services in Rwanda, providing actionable recommendations and effective policy change to better retain and promote women in the financial services workforce.

Transition finance is not one-size-fits-all. In a multipolar world, countries face different paths to net zero — balancing energy access, economic development, and climate goals.

At our upcoming Sustainable Finance Forum, Simon Mundy, Moral Money Editor at Financial Times, sits down with Isabelle Millat, Head of Sustainable Finance at Barclays Investment Bank, and Gabriel Wilson-Otto, Head of Sustainable Investing Strategy at Fidelity International to explore how different regions are navigating the path to net zero amid competing priorities. #SFF2025 #SustainableFinance #ESG #TransitionFinance #ClimateFinance

We're excited to announce a new facial recognition feature launched by our Companies Registration Office (CRO) — streamlining key processes like appointment and cessation notifications for individuals in QFC firms.

With this enhancement, clients now only need to upload a valid, clear passport copy, removing the need for additional documents like declarations, UBO Forms, or the Fitness and Propriety Questionnaire.

✅ No supporting documents required ⚡ Faster, more efficient submissions 🔒 Secure and user-friendly verification ⏱️ Reduced processing time

At QFC, we're continuously evolving to create a smarter, simpler experience for our community.

Three stages, masterclasses & much more 📣

We are pleased to unveil the stage formats for this year's Finance Summit, designed to unite finance, real economy and politics:

🔲 Boerse Stuttgart Group Capital Markets Stage: A dedicated platform to discuss private investors, current geopolitical shifts and the role of strong capital markets in driving growth.

🔲 Boerse Stuttgart Digital Technology Stage: Focusing on transformative technologies such as AI, blockchain, digital assets, and cloud solutions.

🔲 Finance Accelerator Stage powered by Stuttgart Financial: Highlighting innovation and entrepreneurship through insights on startup funding, live pitch sessions and the BW Startup Award Ceremony.

This year's event is all about how to boost Europe's growth and shape the future of finance. #FS2025 #FinanceSummit #BoerseStuttgartGroup #VentureDay

Our Managing Director, International, Nicola Watkinson, spoke at the CEO Club — The Global Vision Summit 2035 in London today, where she addressed key global trends that will shape our world by 2035, along with transformative technologies and investment opportunities.

It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with leaders from around the globe in shaping the future. #TheCityUK

Proud to see our own Mwau Brian representing TRIFIC SEZ at the Kenya–Saudi Business Forum in Jeddah. A strong step toward building impactful partnerships and advancing Kenya–Saudi economic ties. #AfricasGatewayToTheWorld #TRIFICSEZ #KenyaSaudiForum #EconomicPartnerships