Financial Center News #33

🤝Our member, TheCityUK, represented by its CEO Miles Celic, visited our observer, Shanghai Lujiazui Financial City. The visit marks an important step in fostering collaborative efforts and strengthening ties between our financial communities. We are looking forward to the innovative ideas and fruitful partnerships that will emerge from this engagement. #Finance #Collaboration #ShanghaiLujiazui #TheCityUK #GlobalPartnership

Our 3rd World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) Young Academic Award is open!

We invite young academics again to submit papers or essays on the future of a sustainable and inclusive financial sector.

Besides receiving prize money, the top three finalists will have the privilege of presenting their research at WAIFC’s Annual General Meeting in Tokyo in October 2024.

Application deadline: 15 May 2024 Final paper deadline: 15 June 2024

Please find further details, the call-for-papers, and the award handbook here: https://lnkd.in/eqcfV_fV https://lnkd.in/ejaMx5ZB (including information on previous award competitions) https://lnkd.in/ezVgauT8

You can apply here: https://lnkd.in/ecFnJTNd

We look forward to receiving your submissions and perhaps meeting you in Tokyo later this year.

#WAIFC #financialcenters #competition #youngacademics #WAIFCYAA2024

Abu Dhabi proudly retains its esteemed status as the world's safest city for the eighth consecutive year! With its unwavering commitment to security and peace of mind, it’s evident why the UAE’s capital remains the ideal destination for both businesses and families. #abudhabi #abudhabilife #safestcity #gcc #uae

International cooperation helps regulatory exchange, as well as sharing of knowledge, best practices and experience. It enables growth by facilitating cross-border transactions and thus ensuring market integrity and financial stability.

An example of this would be one of the milestones among many achieved last year when AFSA helped enable the Tabadul Digital Exchange Hub. The coming together of three regulators such as the Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA), the Capital Market Authority in the Sultanate of Oman and AFSA simplified mutual market access to participating exchanges of Astana International Exchange - AIX, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) in UAE, Bahrain Bourse (BHB) in Bahrain, and Muscat Securities Market (MSX) in Oman.

Last year AFSA signed agreements with nine international regulators, including the Cayman Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Oman, Russia, UAE, Hungary and Uzbekistan, bringing the total number of such agreements to 53 at the end of last year.

BFC visited Hong Kong to attend the Asian Financial Forum! 😁 - Visiting Hong Kong's major financial regulatory authorities to share and understand key financial policies, and to explore ways to foster collaboration between Busan and Hong Kong. - Engaging in dialogue with the WAIFC delegation to enhance networking among financial centers and to exchange insights on significant financial policies. - Attending the AFF to stay informed about global financial trends and to develop benchmarking strategies for hosting international financial events in Busan. - Participated in meetings with startups and gained insights into Hong Kong's startup ecosystem through industrial tours in Shenzhen, China.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to be the world’s biggest free trade area, with 54 countries covered and an aggregated GDP of 3.4 T$. CFC’s last Africa insights report will explore the upsides, challenges, and outlook of the AfCFTA. Sectorial case studies, international benchmarks as well as recommendations will help business leaders make the most out of the AfCFTA while mitigating risks.

Stay tuned to know more !

📆21.02.24 📍Casablanca

#CFC #CasablancaFinanceCity #DoingBusiness #Africa #ZLECAF

Following #COP28 being held in #Dubai last November and December, we took a look at how seriously the industry is taking sustainable finance. Check out the article where it outlines five concrete actions #DIFC is taking towards increasing #sustainablefinance here: https://lnkd.in/e9Hms_Fk #DIFCReview

Thinking of applying for a scholarship in a prestigious university in Mauritius? 🎓

The Government of Mauritius is awarding scholarships to deserving students who are resident citizens of member states of the African Union or African Commonwealth countries for undergraduate and postgraduate program. The Scholarship will support successful candidates in meeting their tuition fees and contributing to their living expenses during their studies in Mauritius. It will also cover return airfare by the most economical route. This will be valid for travel from the country of origin at the beginning of the studies and back to the country of origin upon successful completion of studies. Check out more details, eligibility criteria, and application process of studying in Mauritius: https://lnkd.in/d5XkA6va

#edbmauritius #edbeducation #scholarship #mauritiusafrica

A brand new initiative by FinanceMalta for our members 🚀 The FinanceMalta 2024 Membership badge is designed to enhance the visibility of our members by offering a recognisable symbol of affiliation. This initiative aims to provide members with a unified and professional means to showcase their association with FinanceMalta across different platforms. 💭 Are you a FinanceMalta Member and interested in receiving the FinanceMalta 2024 Membership Badge pack? Send an email to karl.attard@financemalta.org to receive the pack. #FinancialServices #Members

Promising news for the year ahead! Venture capital firms were sitting on their highest year-end level of funds earmarked for investment in Japanese startups last year, amounting to USD$9.7bn. This figure for year-end funding capacity has increased sevenfold over the last decade, signalling the growing potential of Japan’s innovative young companies in the eyes of global investors.

If you would like to hear more discussion on the outlook for startups and investment in Tokyo, please be sure to join FinCity.Tokyo (東京国際金融機構) on Wednesday 31 January for FinCity Global Forum, online and in-person. The afternoon will feature discussions on innovation and growth with speakers including the chief executive of fintech accelerator Finolab, Chie Ito. Registration is open at https://lnkd.in/gMQWdTPz, and we look forward to seeing you there.

#F4T | Join our next FOOD for THOUGHT #webinar with Prof. Beata Javorcik on "Transitions big and small" 💡

Our speaker is Chief Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and will present the current Transition Report 2023-24. Using rich data that have recently been collected by the EBRD and the World Bank via the Life in Transition Survey, Beata’s speech paints a detailed picture of people’s outlook on life and economic #transformation.

📅 Tuesday, 6th February 2024 🕙 09:00 to 10:00 Frankfurt time

Register now: https://lnkd.in/eHa5Szx7

#FSDC is pleased to extend a warm welcome to the esteemed representatives of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) delegation, who visited Hong Kong last week and joined us for the #AFF event. As a proud alliance member, we are honored to host delegates from Astana, Busan, Mauritius, Luxembourg, Qatar, and the UK. During their visit, we engaged in insightful discussions with Mr Christopher Hui, SFST of the HKSAR Government, touching on #FinTech, #SustainableFinance, #Blockchain, and #RMBInternationalisation opportunities in HK. In addition to their participation in #AFF, the delegation met with key regulatory authorities, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), gaining deeper insights into the latest financial developments and opportunities taking place in Hong Kong. Excited about fostering meaningful exchanges, we collectively strive to enhance the global financial ecosystem.

WAIFC Delegation list: Akzhan Belessova, AIFC (Astana International Financial Centre) SEUNGJAE CHOI, Busan Finance Center Rajiv Babooram, EDB Mauritius Vinay Guddye, EDB Mauritius Nicolas Mackel, Luxembourg for Finance Chris Hollifield, Luxembourg for Finance The Honourable Mahen Seeruttun, Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mauritius Purmessur Sarwansingh, Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mauritius Yudishtir Buldewo, Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance, Mauritius Henk Jan Hoogendoorn, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority Jiazhong Wang, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) Authority Miles Celic, TheCityUK Natasha Schou, TheCityUK Jochen Biedermann, World Alliance of International Financial Centers Marquesa Leung （梁皓嵐） , World Alliance of International Financial Centers

Special Thanks to #FSTB, #HKMA and #SFC Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, FSTB Joseph HL Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, FSTB Laurence Li, Chairman, FSDC Daniel Fung, Vice-Chairmen, FSDC Kenneth Hui, Executive Director, External Department, HKMA Rami Hayek, Senior Advisor, HKMA Jason Lai, Associate Fintech Director, Fintech Facilitation Office, HKMA Steven Y., Senior Manager Digital Finance Division, HKMA Julia Leung, Chief Executive Officer, SFC Christina Choi, Executive Director, SFC Trevor Lee, Senior Director, SFC Keith Choy, Interim Head, SFC Elizabeth Wong, Director of Licensing and Head, Fintech unit, Intermediaries , SFC Christine Kung, Senior Director, International Finance and Sustainable Finance, SFC Jade Wong, Director, International Finance and Sustainable Finance, SFC Paul Yeung, Commission Secretary and Chief Governance Officer, SFC Donald Lai, Commission Secretariat and External, SFC #WAIFC #FinancialCenters #GlobalFinance #HongKongFinance #fsdchk #fsdchongkong Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (FSTB)

If you’re looking to join an industry that can offer you flexible working hours, opportunities to study whilst earning, and roles which will allow you to travel, then look no further. We employ people with diverse skill sets, alternative viewpoints and varied professional experiences. We value team players and those who understand the best ways to collaborate and communicate. Still not sure if it’s for you? Hear first-hand from people who are currently working within the industry. Your adventure starts here: https://jsy.fi/3vBFtue #ACareerInFinance #TeamPlayers #Collaborate #Communicate #YourAdventureStartsHere

Yesterday, our Chief Strategy Officer Hortense Mudenge moderated a high-level panel discussion themed "Succeeding in Rwanda: Unlocking Growth & Opportunities" at the ongoing UK-Rwanda Business Forum. #UKRwBusinessForum | #InvestInRwanda

How are investors navigating challenges stemming from growing geopolitical tensions and stagnating global growth? During our upcoming “Focus on Long-term Investing” livestream, Jérôme Jean Haegeli, Group Chief Economist & Managing Director at Swiss Re will unpack these challenges and delve into how investors are dealing with them. Register here: bit.ly/3SdVCxt #LuxFinance #livestream #investing #finance #financialservices

The members of @Paris Europlace and the Institut de la finance durable met on 30 January for the annual New Year's Eve ceremony, chaired by Augustin de Romanet, who wished to take this opportunity to recall the priorities for the year 2024 of our organization: - Europe of course, in this election year, in order to highlight the necessary strategic autonomy of the European Union in financial matters and make it a key area of global finance capable of ensuring the financing of its economy and that of its energy transition; - the attractiveness of the Paris financial center, with excellent momentum and nearly 20,000 jobs created in Paris in 5 years, which must be further strengthened, in particular on the occasion of the bill announced for this spring, and in the long term with the stability of the favorable measures taken over the past 10 years; - Finally, the financing of the ecological and energy transition, in which we are fully committed within the framework of the Institute for Sustainable Finance so that Paris is a place of reference in this area. The President warmly thanked the members for their commitment to the various work of the association. Several events will allow us to meet again in 2024 and to promote these subjects, we hope to see many of you there!

Join us virtually for an enlightening panel discussion on 'Why Cross Border Data Flows and Data Protection Matter in the Age of A.I..,' where industry leaders from Microsoft, Google, and Clyde & Co will explore the complex interplay between personal data, artificial intelligence, and responsible use of this technology. 🧑‍💻 🔗Register now: https://lnkd.in/dpUADWNk

🌍🏡 Invitation: Panel discussion "Financing the transformation to a sustainable real estate sector" 🌱💼 Hello LinkedIn Network, Look forward to an exciting event on 11 March 2024 on the topic: "Financing the transformation to a sustainable real estate sector". This event brings together experts from business, politics and academia to discuss sustainable finance and development in the real estate sector. One highlight will be the presentation of the revised Sustainable Finance Strategy to strengthen the financial center of Baden-Württemberg.

🗓️ Date: March 11, 2024 🕝 Time: 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 📍 Location: Details to follow

Register by February 12, 2024 via the registration link and be part of this important discussion. https://lnkd.in/da8Zig7a

We look forward to seeing you!

#SustainableFinance #Immobiliensektor #Nachhaltigkeit #Stuttgart #Finanzevent

Dr. Philipp Veit Kati Nayeri Mireia M. Mauri Jan Hendrik Merlin Reichenbacher Paul Dörflinger Sarah Garpiel Marco Neidhart Nazmie Sabani

With reforms to UK business visitor rules coming into effect today, read the blog from our International Strategy Manager, Stephen Booth, to understand how these reforms enhance access to global talent and mark a significant step in maintaining the UK’s competitive edge. https://lnkd.in/gsKBxGMp #TheCityUK