Financial Center News / 06 December 2024
Jochen Biedermann
Managing Director World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC), Managing Partner FinTech Consult
WAIFC
The WAIFC November 2024 Newsletter is here ✨
Stay updated with key developments, expert opinions, and must-attend events from the global financial community:
📌 VOICES:
• Interview with Tammaro Terracciano, winner of the #WAIFC Young Academic Award 2024, on bridging the gap between academia and practice.
📌 OPINIONS:
• Thomas Krantz, WAIFC’s Advisor to the Managing Director, reflects on the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics. Explore how inclusive institutions drive prosperity and why income convergence remains a global challenge.
📌 NEWS:
• Highlights from the Roundtable der EU-Finanzzentren und -Verbände, including discussions on advancing the Capital Markets Union and welcoming new members.
• Casablanca Finance City’s collaboration with MEDEF International to boost French investment in Africa.
• Groundbreaking initiatives like Dubai’s Ignyte Platform, Abu Dhabi’s Virtual Career Fair, and the Busan Forum on financial innovation.
📌 EVENTS TO WATCH:
• Future Sustainability Forum 2024 by DIFC (Dec 4–5, Dubai): Join top leaders to accelerate climate action and promote UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2024 by ADGM (Dec 9–12, Abu Dhabi): Explore Abu Dhabi’s role as a global business hub and key player in economic growth.
• Focus on 2025 (Dec 10, Online): Industry experts discuss ESG, global regulations, and new challenges ahead.
• Internationalising China’s Carbon Market (Dec 11, Online): Learn about Hong Kong’s potential as a carbon trading hub in the fight against global warming.
• Asian Financial Forum (AFF) 2025 (Jan 13–14, Hong Kong): Connect with global leaders to discuss the future of the global economy.
• Inclusive FinTech Forum 2025 by Kigali International Financial Centre (Feb 24–26, Kigali, Rwanda): A premier platform for advancing financial inclusion and fintech for good.
🌟 Not subscribed yet? If a colleague or friend shared this with you, click below to subscribe: https://lnkd.in/eEs4uwvF
📲Read the full newsletter: https://lnkd.in/euWRneq8
📢 Interview with the #WAIFC Young Academic Award 2024 winner We proudly feature an interview with Tammaro Terracciano, the prestigious #WAIFC Young Academic Award 2024 winner. 🎓🏆
At the #WAIFC, we believe in fostering collaboration between academia and practitioners to drive innovation and address real-world challenges. ✨
Congratulations once again to the winner for this remarkable achievement. 🚀👏
📲 Read the full interview: https://lnkd.in/euWRneq8
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
By ADFW
Find out how machine learning is streamlining compliance, identifying high-risk transactions and improving fraud detection. FinTech Abu Dhabi, in partnership with First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and eToro, presents ‘Unlocking the Power of AI in Finance: Insights from Transaction Monitoring Models’—a session that offers a closer look at the role of artificial intelligence in finance.
Hear from Zubin Farrokh Chichgar, Dr. Eric Halford and Rauda Al Dhaheri as they explore how AI is making processes smarter, faster and more accurate. Don’t miss this must-attend session at #ADFW2024.
Book your ticket now at adfw.com/tickets.
Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC)
🔎 Introducing the AIFC AI Assistant If you’re exploring the AIFC, we’ve got great news! The AIFC AI Assistant is now live on our website, ready to provide quick answers about company registration, licensing, applicable regulations for your company’s activities, and more.
🔗 You’ll find it on our website: just look for the chatbot icon in the bottom-left corner or access it via the "Ask AIFC AI" button in the menu: https://rag.aifc.kz
❕ While it doesn’t replace legal advice, it’s a fantastic starting point for exploring business opportunities at the AIFC before reaching out to our team for more details. Check it out and share your feedback.👍
Busan Finance Center (BFC)
Casablanca Finance City (CFC)
🎤 An exceptional conference to end the year! As part of the CFC Insights Conferences Series, the 8th edition of Casablanca Arbitration Days, organized by CIMAC in collaboration with CFCA, proudly welcomes Pierluigi Collina, the world’s most celebrated referee, as this year’s Keynote Speaker.
🌍 Collina will deliver a remarkable address exploring the intersection of sports arbitration and commercial arbitration, drawing parallels that highlight shared values of fairness, impartiality, and global standards.
📍 Royal Mansour, Casablanca
📅 December 13–14, 2024
Don’t miss the opportunity to gain insights from a true legend in the field, sign up now : https://lnkd.in/efR7v2qD
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Alya Al Zarouni, Chief Operating Officer, DIFC Authority and Chair of the Dubai Sustainable Finance Working Group (DSFWG), opened proceedings at the DIFC-organized 2nd Future Sustainability Forum, where she emphasized the importance of collaborating towards shaping greener economies and accelerating change across industries and communities.
DIFC Innovation Hub #Sustainability #ClimateAction #CleanTech #EcoFriendly #GreenLiving #RenewableEnergy
Economic Development Board Mauritius (EDB)
On November 28, the #EDBMauritius welcomed nearly 100 participants to a workshop focused on aligning Mauritius with the EU Green Deal’s ambitious goals.
👉 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒: https://lnkd.in/dcRPPMPy
With the EU as a vital trading partner, accounting for 60% of exports, this workshop emphasized the need for industries to adapt to new regulations and harness tools to embrace a greener future.
EnterpriseNGR
FinanceMalta
Highlights from the event "Malta - A renewed jurisdiction and bridge to Europe - Reception at the Great Hall at the Guildhall in the City of London."
The event was entirely focused on Malta’s financial services sector and aimed at fostering growth and drawing in foreign investment, in line with FinanceMalta’s unrelenting drive to enhance global connections and promote #Malta’s role in the international financial landscape.
✨ A special thank you to our sponsors for their invaluable support:
Platinum Sponsors: Bank of Valletta plc, HSBC, Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), Visa
Gold Sponsors: BNF Bank p.l.c., Finance Incorporated Limited, Malta Stock Exchange plc
Silver Sponsors: Camilleri Preziosi Advocates, Deloitte, EY, GVZH Advocates, KPMG Malta, PwC Malta
Bronze Sponsors: Altarius, Alter Domus, BDO Malta, Fenech & Fenech Advocates, Ganado Advocates, Grant Thornton Malta, MeDirect Bank Malta, MAMO TCV Advocates, PKF Malta, RSM Malta, Sparkasse Bank Malta plc
Financial Services Authority Oman (FSA)
FinCity.Tokyo
FinCity.Tokyo will be holding the FGF (FinCity Global Forum) and TAMF (Tokyo Asset Management Forum) on Friday, January 24th. https://lnkd.in/gwN-tbBi (FGF) https://lnkd.in/ggwNDe9J (TAMF) These are our flagship event, where we will engage in in-depth discussions from various perspective on the realization of Tokyo as an international financial city. We look forward to your participation!
Frankfurt Main Finance (FMF)
#Newsletter | Find the latest news from the financial center Frankfurt here 👇
💬 27. Euro Finance Week of the dfv Euro Finance Group GmbH: Henriette Peucker, Eddy Henning, and Oliver Behrens emphasized that Germany’s financial center must focus on competitiveness to navigate the ongoing transformation.
🤝 We congratulate Florian Rentsch on his appointment as special representative of the Hessian state government for Frankfurt's financial center.
🏆 FinTech Award 2024: Congratulations to the winners, with a special highlight for our member fincite - Wealth Management Software, honored in the Early Stage category!
🖤 The financial center of Frankfurt mourns the passing of Friedrich von Metzler, a formative figure in the world of banking.
💡 Read the November issue here: https://brnw.ch/21wP5QI
Sign up today! 🇬🇧 https://brnw.ch/21wP5QH 🇩🇪 https://brnw.ch/21wP5QG
Future Finance Poland
🎯 📣 Do you want to know what kind of workplace AI specialists dream about? How do they want to grow professionally and where? Download the report we’ve prepared in collaboration with speedapp! https://lnkd.in/dqGdatvP
🧭 The study conducted by speedapp and Future Finance Poland is very fascinating, offering a broad perspective from experts across various fields: fintech, software houses, universities, and the legal sector. It’s also the result of over 100 hours of in-depth interviews with innovation specialists.
If you’re curious about the research findings and the conclusions drawn from them, download the report now! Save the date! On December 17th, we invite you to a meeting where the report’s findings will be discussed among experts. Stay tuned!
Recommended by LinkedIn
Marlena Wieteska, Paweł Marcinkowski, Klaudia Kowalska, Piotr Zielinski, Zuzanna Krauzowicz, Pawel Widawski, Piotr Brewiński, Gabriela Mrozek, Aneta Girdwoyń (Kmoch), Kasia Jedlińska, Katarzyna Multan, Anna Malanowska
Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council (FSDC)
Our member Financial Services Development Council is organizing an insightful webinar as part of its Industry Exchange Series. The event will delve into the pivotal role of Hong Kong as an International Financial Centre in supporting the internationalization of Mainland China's carbon markets. 💡
📅 Date: December 11, 2024 (Wednesday)
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (HKT)
💻 Format: Webinar via Zoom
🌐 Language: English
This event is a must-attend for anyone passionate about the future of carbon trading and sustainability. Topics include the global significance of carbon markets, the evolving role of Mainland China, and how Hong Kong can become a regional carbon trading hub. 🌟
🎤 Speakers: - Daniel R. Fung, Senior Counsel & Vice-Chairman, Financial Services Development Council - Karen Lam, Partner, Linklaters - Dr. Ivan Li, Head of Institute for Neutrality, CGS International Holdings Limited - Prof. Yang Pingjian, Chief Scientist, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences
🎙️ Moderator: Dr. King Au, Executive Director, Financial Services Development Council
📲 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dBikwcev
Let’s shape the future of sustainable development together! 🌱✨
Istanbul Financial Center
Designed to inspire innovation, the Istanbul Financial Center features 21 state-of-the-art buildings seamlessly integrating technology and aesthetics. Its architecture reflects Istanbul’s role as a bridge between tradition and future-focused financial leadership.
Jersey Finance
Our CEO Joe Moynihan gives his thoughts on sustainable finance and its impact on businesses and the wider economy in his latest blog post. As well as discussing the most recent COP, he considers how the Government of Jersey’s Sustainable Finance Action Plan will make an impact on Jersey’s financial ecosystem and showcase the vital role Jersey plays.
To read the full blog post, visit our website. https://jsy.fi/3VbOwfg
Kigali International Financial Centre (KIFC)
This Saturday, #KIFC, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, is organizing a webinar with the Rwandan Diaspora communities under the theme "Get to Know KIFC" aimed at showcasing strategic investment opportunities available through the Kigali International Financial Centre.
📅 December 7, 2024
⏰ 11:00 AM CAT
🔗 Register here: https://lu.ma/m3me86wq
Luxembourg for Finance (LFF)
How will the EU's new leadership redefine the regulatory landscape for financial services?
With shifting priorities, emerging technologies, and increasing global competition, the decisions of the new EU Commission will have far-reaching implications.
Join our upcoming "Focus on 2025" livestream and hear from Anke Klein, Managing Director of the Brussels office at the Investment Company Institute on the changes to expect in the EU’s approach to financial services and how these policies will affect investment firms, asset managers, and the broader financial ecosystem.
Register now: bit.ly/3CQUUCl
Paris EUROPLACE
#ParisInfraWeek | Replay these key discussions! As the global #infrastructure landscape evolves, the 2024 Paris InfraWeek emphasized the urgent need to align infrastructure investment with climate ambitions. This year, experts focused on innovative approaches to financing and structuring projects that drive #decarbonization while supporting sustainable economic growth.
Three sessions to watch for a deep dive into those paradigms👇
🔹Plenary 1: Empowering Infrastructure #Investment to Meet the Decarbonization Agenda, moderated by Patrick Tardivy, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP with Estelle Castres, BlackRock, Gwenola Chambon, Vauban Infrastructure Partners, Ilya Polyakov, Société Générale and Markus Wandt, Aquila Capital.
🎥 Replay here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e-w-NTfx
🔹Fireside Chat moderated by Sasha VAKULINA, Euronews with Thierry Déau, Meridiam.
🎥 Replay here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ei3uErqw
🔹Discussion 1: Infrastructures: What Are the New Paradigms of Decarbonization? Moderated by Darko Adamovic, Gibson Dunn with Vincent Levita, InfraVia Capital Partners and Nicolas Rochon, RGREEN INVEST.
🎥 Replay here 👉 https://lnkd.in/e4YxUVNp
Ministères Économiques et Financiers I Direction générale du Trésor (French Treasury) I Jean BENSAID I FIN INFRA I Karim ZINE-EDDINE I Olivier GINEPRO I Nadine Huynh I Robin Louvet
Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)
QFC proudly hosted the Family Office Forum under the theme “Redefining Legacy: The Future of Family Offices in Qatar and Beyond.” The event provided a platform for key stakeholders and wealth management experts to delve into the evolving dynamics of wealth management, intergenerational wealth transfer, and the transition from traditional investments to greenfield opportunities. 🧑🧑🧒🧒
QFC offers various business structures for family enterprises, including Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Holding Companies, Special Purpose Companies (SPCs), Foundations, and Trusts. These structures provide benefits such as limited liability protection, centralized ownership frameworks, tailored asset management solutions, and robust risk management capabilities.
By facilitating forums like this, QFC demonstrates its commitment to empowering family enterprises to achieve sustainable growth and address the complexities of modern wealth management.
Stuttgart Financial
We introduce you to the Finance Accelerator team, or more precisely to our colleagues Paul Dörflinger 🚀
"As a Program Manager at the Finance Accelerator, I do everything I can to pave the way for successful growth for start-ups in Baden-Württemberg and beyond. With my background in finance and management, I combine a passion for innovative technologies with the aspiration to support founders where things often get particularly complex: financing. We know how challenging it can be to keep track of the many financing options. That's why we're working to make it easier, more transparent, and more targeted for startups to access capital. Our goal? Giving founders the opportunity to fully focus on their vision – and tackle the rest with a clear plan."
TheCityUK
Our Chief Executive Officer, Miles Celic, gave evidence to the Treasury Committee today emphasizing that for the UK to maintain its competitiveness as a leading financial center, we need regulators to take a more balanced approach to risk and lean in behind the government's growth ambitions.
Two Rivers International Finance & Innovation Center
Excited to announce that Brenda Mbathi, CEO of TRIFIC SEZ, will be a speaker at the upcoming Kilifi County International Investment Conference (KCIIC) 2024!
The conference, taking place from 4th to 6th December 2024 at Vipingo Ridge, will explore the theme: "Accelerating Economic Growth Through Partnerships."
Ms. Mbathi will share invaluable insights on economic transformation, strategic partnerships, and the role of private SEZs in shaping Kenya's future. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, network, and engage with trailblazers in the investment and development landscape.
📅 Date: 4th–6th December 2024
📍 Venue: Vipingo Ridge, Kilifi County
🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dkVpiJXf
Join us as we chart the path toward inclusive economic growth!
About me:
Managing Director of the World Alliance of International Financial Centers
Managing Partner of FinTech Consult, a network of FinTech experts in Asia, Europe, and Africa supporting FinTechs in expanding globally
Non-Executive Director of Eastnets, a global provider of compliance and payment solutions for the financial services sector
Expert at the Sino-German Center for Finance and Economics in Frankfurt
Fellow of the Think Tank of the Asian Financial Cooperation Association
Founding Board Member of the International Digital Economies Association
Mentor at Cyberport in Hong Kong, OneEleven in Toronto, the Plug and Play Tech Center, the 1871 FinTech Innovation Lab in Chicago, and 1000 Black Voices
Advisory Board member of several FinTech companies
About the WAIFC:
The World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) is a non-profit association registered in Belgium representing 29 leading international financial centers globally.
WAIFC members are city governments, associations, and similar institutions developing and promoting their financial centers.
WAIFC facilitates cooperation between its members, the exchange of best practices, and communication with the general public.