Financial Center News #13

We are thrilled to welcome the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) to the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) family! With the inauguration of their first-ever overseas office right here in Abu Dhabi, this marks a significant milestone in strengthening regional partnerships and amplifying sustainable development efforts.

AIIB's choice of the UAE for their inaugural overseas venture speaks volumes about our nation's commitment to pioneering progress. We're proud to be part of this journey and look forward to witnessing the transformational impact AIIB will bring to the region and beyond.

Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) and Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC) have forged a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This collaboration connects two pivotal financial hubs from Africa and Central Asia, promising a future full of mutual growth 🚀.

This partnership will revitalize areas like financial services, sustainable finance, and technology. Both centres pledge to exchange knowledge, hold joint training initiatives, and emphasize capacity building by sharing top-tier practices 📚🤝.

Nick Barigye, CEO of Rwanda Finance Limited (RFL), sees this MoU as a defining step: "It cements our connection with global financial leaders like AIFC. This collaboration promises not only enhanced knowledge-sharing but also investments, job opportunities, and growth for both nations 🌐."

Temirlan Mukhanbetzhanov of AIFC Authority underscores the shared drive towards green finance, ESG principles, and cutting-edge fintech projects spanning Central Asia and Africa.

The DIFC Innovation Hub welcomed 20 startups from 703 applicants worldwide for the FinTech Accelerator Programme.

The programme was joined by Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer at #DIFCInnovationHub and our partners - Siraj Patel, CTO at ADIB - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Hemant Julka, Group Head - Fintech & Digital Partnerships at Emirates NBD, Charu Ramchandani, Vice President, Head of Digital Partnerships at Emirates NBD, Vishal Ramphul, Innovation Management Lead at MCB Group, Mufazzal Kajiji, CFA, CAIA, FRM, CEO at Zurich Insurance and Nabil Noweihid, Head of Strategy - Commercial Insurance at Zurich Insurance.

Special thanks to all the partners – ADIB - Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), Emirates NBD, Emirates Post, HSBC, MCB Group, Visa and Zurich Insurance.

Unlocking Africa's Infrastructure Potential: Panel discussion at the Africa Partnership Conference!

Join us for an eye-opening discussion on 'Financing African Infrastructure Projects: Driving Investment, Development, and Sustainable Growth in Africa.'

Africa has showcased an impressive average annual growth rate of 5% over the past two decades. Yet, global institutional investors have largely remained on the sidelines. Is there an overblown perception of risk when it comes to investing in Africa's infrastructure? This panel will dissect this crucial question and more.

Dive deep into strategies, insights, and groundbreaking solutions from experts, industry leaders, and visionaries who are reshaping the narrative of African infrastructure investment.

This panel will be moderated by: Mr. Terence Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Fundsmith LLP, and Board Director at the Economic Development Board

Panelists include:

Mr. Mustafa Rawji, CEO, Rawbank

Mr. Graeme Robertson, Chairman, Intrasia Capital Pte Ltd

Mr. Jarred Glansbeek, Chief Investment Officer, RisCura

Mr. Theuns Ehlers, Head Project Finance, Absa Group

Ms. Wendy Hughes, Regional Director for Infrastructure, The World Bank

Click here to register: https://apc.e-tickets.io/

Between the 5th and 6th of October 2023, FinanceMalta will be exhibiting in the third edition of the Startup Festival an event hosted by StartinMalta and Malta Enterprise.

Visit our stand C8 and discover the benefits of being a FinanceMalta member.

Interested in attending the Startup festival?

Register Now 👉 startupfestivalmalta.com

#StartupFestival #FinancialServices

"The growth of VC investing in Japan over the past decade has been dramatic. It grew fifteenfold in less than a decade, from a low point in 2012 at 21.9 billion yen to 329 billion yen in 2021."

Stumbled over this report as we were searching US endowments. This report by Kenji Kushida is almost a year old but still very useful to understand the VC investment landscape and the main players in the market.

https://lnkd.in/gYQ3DMmC

#FinTechs in Germany are revolutionizing the financial environment, fostering innovation, and driving economic progress in the digital age.

Yesterday's jury meeting for the FinTech Germany Award was lively, fun and inspiring. Thanks to my co-jury members: Michael Mellinghoff Stefan Kempf Isabelle Canu Achim Oelgarth Joachim Jürschick Hans M. Mantell Philipp Sandner Henning Zander Alfred Schorno Alexandra Weck Mehrdad Piroozram Dr. Lutz Raettig Dr. Nina-Luisa Siedler Franz von Metzler Georgios Kargakis Nektarios Liolios Aman Dogra Sebastian Schaefer Maria Pennanen Birte Sewing Alex von Frankenberg

🚀 It's worth noting that 68% of FTGA winners have more than doubled their valuation after #FTGA. Even more impressive, 11 FTGA award winners have gone on to become #unicorns, demonstrating the massive impact of #innovation in our financial sector.

We can’t wait to announce the award winners. Stay tuned!

The #HongKong-#Swiss Collaboration Workshop on Trends and Opportunities in #DigitalAssets and #Web3, held on 15 September2023, brought together thought leaders from Hong Kong and Switzerland. The event served as a platform for speakers to share insights and ideas on harnessing the potential of digital assets and Web3 in both markets, as well as discuss the evolving regulatory framework.

We were honored to have distinguished guests in attendance, including Mr Daniel Freihofer, Consul General of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong, who delivered a warm welcome remark. Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB), #HKSAR, delivered a keynote speech, followed by Mr King Leung, Head of Financial Services and Fintech at Invest Hong Kong, who offered his insightful closing remarks.

The workshop was a resounding success, with active participation from industry leaders in these crucial discussions. We are excited to witness the emerging trends and opportunities in Digital Assets and Web3, and we remain committed to driving positive change in Hong Kong. Our heartfelt thanks go out to all our esteemed guests and participants for making this event truly exceptional.

Panel Speakers:

Mr Evan Auyang, Group President, Animoca Brands

Dr. Katharina - Kasia Lasota Heller, Managing Partner, LEXcellence AG - Legal Services

Mr Ronald Kogens, Legal Partner, MME Legal | Tax | Compliance

Mr SAMSON (SAM) LEE, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Coinstreet

Ms Sina Meier, CIWM , Managing Director - Head of Switzerland & Strategic Relations at 21Shares

Mr Rocky Mui, Partner, Clifford Chance

Mr Philippe A. Naegeli, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, GenTwo

Ms Elizabeth Wong, Director of Licensing and Head of Fintech unit, Securities and Futures Commission (SFC)

Dr King Au, Executive Director, Financial Services Development Council

Moderators:

Mr Victor Yim, Head of FinTech, Cyberport Hong Kong

Mr Ralph Mogicato, Board Member, swissICT

In his most recent CEO blog, Joe Moynihan discusses how Jersey is actively supporting the growing trend of philanthropic investment among ultra-high net worth individuals through its foundations law and philanthropic-friendly environment.

Read more on this topic on our website: https://jsy.fi/46atCAl

Our latest report in collaboration with AVCA - The African Private Capital Association unveils key recommendations for policymakers and practitioners to ensure the stability and integrity of digital financial services.

Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dUYr4NB8

A change to Luxembourg law has simplified access to the job market for non-EU spouses accompanying their partners for work by eliminating the requirement for a prior work permit. Keep an eye out for our upcoming article with Laurent Peusch on the topic.

Learn more on working in Luxembourg on https://movetolux.com/

#Luxembourg #law #workpermit #expats #workinginfinance #GrandDuchy #finance

Bravo to Hong Kong Trade Development Council | HKTDC Paris for the outstanding organization of the #ThinkBusinessThinkHongkong symposium in the Carrousel du Louvre, with the opening session co-chaired by Paul CHAN, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong and Olivier BECHT, French Minister for Foreign Trade and Attractiveness.

The full-day event brings together business leaders from #HongKong and #France to discuss financing and solutions for sustainability, innovation, creativity, healthcare, and the Greater Bay Area opportunities.

Paris Europlace is glad to partner the topical session organized by Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) on "Capturing Green & Sustainable Finance Opportunities in Asia through Hong Kong".

Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau | Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères | Francois Haas | Rami Hayek | Tanguy Claquin | Wendy Cheong | Chuka Umunna | Wilfred Yiu | Silas Chu | Chris Lo | Jean-Charles Simon | Karim ZINE-EDDINE | Nadine Huynh | Man-Linh Swan Chea | Kiah T. | Robin Louvet

Our team is thrilled to be a strategic partner of the 4th Qatar-Poland New Tech Forum, a prestigious event organized annually by the Qatar-Poland Business Council and the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Doha.

This forum brings together top tech companies and influential decision-makers from both the GCC and CEE regions for engaging expert panel discussions, productive B2B sessions, and valuable networking opportunities, all within the backdrop of Qatar's warm hospitality.

We are excited to announce that Sheikha Alanoud bint Hamad Al-Thani, our DCEO & CBO, will deliver opening remarks, and Laila Aljefairi, Vice President of Business Development, will participate in a session that focuses on the potential for Polish-Qatari business projects. Stay tuned for these insightful sessions!

Save the date:

🗓️ September 26

📍The Ritz-Carlton, Doha

#QatarPoland #QatarPolandBusinessCouncil #Doha #Qatar #QFCA

A successful premiere

It was a great pleasure to host the first Stuttgart Finance Summit together with Stuttgart Financial. The response to our exclusive event was outstanding: 850 participants followed the keynotes and panels of 50 top-class experts from finance, real economy and politics.

The focus of #FS2023:

- how the current challenges for the German economy can be solved together

- which future technologies have particularly high potential

- why a strong capital market is indispensable for the real economy.

We are very pleased that the Stuttgart Finance Summit provided great networking opportunities and valuable insights.

Delighted to welcome Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of Hong Kong, and a delegation from Hong Kong to a roundtable yesterday to discuss #FinTech innovation, #greenfinance development, and enhancing collaboration between Hong Kong and the UK.