Background: Join Sandy Begbie CBE, CEO of Scottish Financial Enterprise to hear more about Scotland’s Global Investment Summit, taking place in Edinburgh in October.Scotland’s Global Investment Summit 2025 is hosted by Scottish Financial Enterprise and the Lord Mayor of London, with support from the Scottish and UK governments, and a …

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Background: As the effects of climate change intensify, financial institutions, policymakers, and businesses are under growing pressure to anticipate and respond to environmental risks. But transforming climate projections into actionable financial strategies is no small task. The data is complex, the models are coarse, and the stakes—economic, environmental, and social—are …

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Background: In our next Esop Sofa webinar, the Esop Centre’s panel of experts discuss recent progress of the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) – and look at how those updates might affect employee share plan implementation.During the discussion there will be plenty of opportunity to put your …

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The Global Financial Centres Index has been tracking the development of the world’s financial centres since 2007 and is the authoritative guide to financial centre success.In this webinar, Z/Yen will formally launch the 38th edition of the index.Programme:09:00 Introduction & Welcome – Hugh Morris, Senior Research Partner, Z/Yen Group09:05 Opening …

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With a solid industrial and economic foundation, a continuously open and optimised regulatory framework, and strong potential to connect with global capital markets, Taiwan is actively positioning itself as an asset management hub in Asia.This forum, hosted by the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance (TABF), in collaboration with the …

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Background: We'll be starting from near the Law courts and visiting pubs with legal, literary, and very many historic connections.The oldest pubs date back 500 years and have been visited by politicians, writers and key people in the history of London.Dr Johnson, Christopher Wren, George Orwell are amongst some of …

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Background: Who would be an expert in a world where expertise is under siege? Hard-won know-how and experience seem to count for nothing in the eyes of everyone from high-profile business leaders to populist politicians. In my research over the last twenty years I have proven time and again that …

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Background:To drive sustained growth in Taiwan’s financial and economic sectors, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) introduced in September 2024 two core strategies: “Retaining Capital and Attracting Investment” and “Investing in Taiwan to Support Industrial Development.” Supported by five major initiatives and 16 strategic actions, the plan aims to ease regulatory …

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Background: The sixteenth edition of the Global Green Finance Index provides the world’s most authoritative measure of the performance of financial centres in delivering green finance services.The report, assembled by combining the views of financial professionals from around the world, with quantitative data commissioned and curated from over 130 sources, …

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In this webinar, we launch the twelfth edition of the Smart Centres Index (SCI 12). The SCI is designed to track the development of technology and financial centres across the world in their support for and readiness for new technology applications.Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, media, academics, governments, and regulators can attune …

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The Global Financial Centres Index has been tracking the development of the world’s financial centres since 2007 and is the authoritative guide to financial centre success.In this webinar, Z/Yen will formally launch the 39th edition of the index.Programme:09:00 Introduction & Welcome – TBC09:05 Opening Remarks - TBC09:15 GFCI 39 Results …

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Background: The seventeenth edition of the Global Green Finance Index provides the world’s most authoritative measure of the performance of financial centres in delivering green finance services.The report, assembled by combining the views of financial professionals from around the world, with quantitative data commissioned and curated from over 130 sources, …

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In this webinar, we launch the thirteenth edition of the Smart Centres Index (SCI 13). The SCI is designed to track the development of technology and financial centres across the world in their support for and readiness for new technology applications.Investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, media, academics, governments, and regulators can attune …

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Background: It seems undeniable that the challenges we are currently facing at every level from global to national to local are, if not exactly unprecedented, certainly challenging on a level we have not previously experienced. Whether it is the impacts of climate change, political and geo-political uncertainty, infrastructure fragility, social …

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The eleventh edition of the Smart Centres Index was published on 28 May 2025. SCI 11 rates the innovation and technology offerings of leading commercial centres, tracking their ability to create, develop, and deploy technology. The SCI is a factor assessment index, combining a number of instrumental factors - data …

The fifteenth edition of the Global Green Finance Index (GGFI 15) was published on 24 April 2025. GGFI 15 evaluates green finance offerings from 95 major financial centres around the world. The GGFI serves as a valuable reference into the development of green finance for policy and investment decision-makers. There …

The thirty-seventh edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 37) was published on 20 March 2025. GFCI 37 provides evaluations of future competitiveness and rankings for 119 financial centres around the world. The GFCI serves as a valuable reference for policy and investment decision-makers.China Development Institute (CDI) in Shenzhen …

The Global Financial Centres Index is produced in partnership with the China Development Institute. We are very grateful to our colleagues at the Institute for their support and their assistance in translation of the GFCI 37 Report into Chinese.

The tenth edition of the Smart Centres Index was published on 26 November 2024. SCI 10 rates the innovation and technology offerings of leading commercial centres, tracking their ability to create, develop, and deploy technology.The SCI is a factor assessment index, combining a number of instrumental factors - data measures …

On December 27, 2024, Busan became the first metropolitan city in South Korea to be designated as an "Opportunity Development Zone" for the second time. Following its initial financial-focused designation in June 2024, the newly designated zone covers 57.5 million square meters and targets advanced industries such as power semiconductors, rechargeable batteries/secondary cells, and auto parts. More than 40 companies have already plan to invest approximately USD 4.79 billion in this zone. The "Opportunity Development Zones" provide substantial tax incentives, cash subsidies, and regulatory exemptions to attract investment. With two such zones in place, Busan is positioned as a prime destination for competitive businesses, expected to create new jobs and improve the local living conditions. The synergy between high-tech industries and the financial sector is expected to strengthen Busan’s standing as a global financial hub, driving economic growth and enhancing its competitiveness on the

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Seoul Financial Hub, managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is currently inviting esteemed overseas financial institutions to join our global financial epicenter in Yeouido, Seoul. Benefit from exclusive office space, expert consultation on market entry, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Stay ahead with insights into the Korean Financial market. For further details about Seoul Financial Hub, click here.

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On March 5, the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance (TABF), in partnership with the Securities and Futures Institute (SFI) and the Taiwan Insurance Institute (TII), successfully hosted the 2nd Sustainable Finance Evaluation Awards Ceremony. The event highlighted Taiwan’s advanced evaluation framework, designed to accelerate financial institutions’ sustainability transformation. Dr. Jin-Lung Peng, Chairman of the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC), underscored the financial sector’s pivotal role in driving sustainable finance and the net-zero transition. TABF President Dr. Yi-Cheng Kao recognized top-performing institutions for their leadership in ESG, climate governance, and financial innovation. With participation from 79 financial institutions, the awards celebrated excellence in green finance, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainable investment strategies. Stay connected with TABF for more insights

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Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) has unveiled a draft Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASP) Act, setting clear rules for the issuance and trading of stablecoins. Only domestic banks will be allowed to issue stablecoins, and they must be backed by fiat currencies (e.g., TWD, USD). Foreign stablecoins (like USDT) will be treated as commodities and must gain FSC approval before being listed on local exchanges. Existing VASPs must register by the end of March or cease operations. The draft law is expected to be submitted to the Executive Yuan by the end of June. Taiwan is moving toward a new era of regulated, innovative digital finance! Follow us on LinkedIn for more details.

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In early May 2025, the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance (TABF) signed Memorandums of Understanding with both the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management and the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI), expanding its global network of collaboration. These strategic partnerships reflect a shared commitment to advancing sustainable finance education, ethical banking, and financial resilience in response to global ESG priorities. The signing of both MoUs marks an important step in TABF’s ongoing efforts to enhance international engagement and reinforce Taiwan’s role in the global sustainable finance community. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed about our latest global partnerships and initiatives.

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Northeastern University London's master's degree apprenticeships for Artificial Intelligence Data Specialists, and Digital and Technology Solutions Specialists equip you and your team with the technical proficiencies required to stand out and progress. Fully funded places are available via the apprenticeship levy and government co-investment for those in suitable job roles, aligned to the apprenticeship. To apply for NU London's July intake for these masters degree apprenticeships, register your interest by 14th June. Find out more about these programmes at the link.

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Titled “Emerging Technologies and Finance: AI’s transformative impact on finance and innovation”. Produced in partnership with Asia House, the report explores how AI, blockchain, cloud computing and digital solutions are driving innovation, operational and cost efficiencies, financial inclusion, and sustainable growth for the global financial services industry. Informed by network-based research and candid discussions with industry leaders, this report uncovers how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are rewriting the playbook for the global financial services industry. Download your copy here.

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Originally launched in 2023 as “AI Impact,” Wynxx was created by GFT to address the real-world pressures facing today’s IT development teams: tighter timelines, increasing complexity, and rising modernisation demands. Purpose-built for enterprise-scale delivery, Wynxx automates time-intensive phases such as planning, testing, documentation, and legacy code transformation. See our LinkedIn post here. Award win - We’re delighted to celebrate alongside our client Salt Bank, Romania’s first cloud-native digital bank, as they win the best Digital Bank Launch category in the prestigious Celent Model Bank Award 2025! Built by GFT and powered by Engine by Starling, Salt hit 100k users in just 10 days and exceeded 500k in a year, making it one of Romania’s top 10 banks. See our LinkedIn post here.

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Northeastern University London’s degree apprenticeships offer a flexible, fully-funded route to gain a university qualification while you work. Registration for the September cohort closes 14th August. Click here to book a free consultation with their apprenticeship team to explore which programme fits your career goals.

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A meaningful transformation in Busan’s financial landscape may soon take shape. South Korea’s newly inaugurated government has announced its vision to position Busan as a leading maritime financial hub in Northeast Asia integrating shipping, shipbuilding, and maritime finance. Notably, this ambition is supported by three initiatives designed to solidify Busan’s leadership in the sector. First, Southern Investment Bank is at the core of the legislative proposal currently underway, with plans to establish it in Busan. The bank is strategically positioned to leverage the city’s existing financial infrastructure. Major financial institutions—including the Korea Exchange, and Korea Securities Depository (KSD)—are already clustered forming a concentrated ecosystem of policy and industrial finance. Building on this foundation, the Southern Investment Bank aims to strengthen the link between industrial activity and financial services, enhancing Busan’s capacity to serve as a specialized platfo

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Eighty years on from V.E Day is a time to commemorate those who fought and died for our freedom. For Bridgeworks, a couple of weeks after this year’s commemorations, it’s also a poignant moment to visit the home of modern British computing at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire – the historic place where visitors can learn about how WWII’s codebreakers helped to secure victory over Nazi Germany by breaking the Enigma code. Around 35 delegates attended the exclusive partner event, that was also supported by Nuvola Distribution, on 22nd May 2025. Jamie Eykyn, Chairman of Lymington-based Bridgeworks, gave the introduction and comments: “It was delightful to be talking at such an historic venue as Bletchley, which to us is poignant because today we still rely on cryptography to secure data transmissions over Wide Area Networks, and the work of?Alan Turing?led to modern computing.” Eykyn served as an Officer in the Grenadier …

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Taiwan is advancing a unique model of financial liberalization—one that is government-led but market-responsive. Through policy easing, institutional coordination, and industry consultation, the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) is implementing reforms aimed at strengthening Taiwan’s asset management ecosystem. These include regulatory changes to wealth management, cross-border ETFs, the TISA initiative, and regional asset management zones. Taiwan’s approach may serve as a reference for mid-sized economies seeking to enhance competitiveness while navigating global uncertainties. The success of this strategy will depend on balancing state guidance with private-sector trust and ensuring effective execution across sectors.

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The report includes a macroeconomic overview of Kazakhstan, a review of the legal framework governing funds under both national and the AIFC regulations, as well as statistical data and fund types. According to the report, as of 1 January 2025, the total assets under management (AUM) of regulated funds in Kazakhstan amounted to USD 1.6 billion. This represents approximately 0.5% of the country’s GDP and is double the figure recorded in 2020. The assets are evenly split between funds under national regulation and those under the AIFC regulation, each accounting for USD 800 million”.

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Mauritius is steadily positioning itself as a sustainable international financial centre by integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its regulatory and market frameworks. As part of its commitment to global sustainability standards, Mauritius is embracing responsible investment practices and strengthening governance across sectors. With initiatives like the Sustainable Finance Framework and green bonds guidelines, Mauritius aims to attract ESG-conscious investors and contribute meaningfully to the sustainable development agenda in Africa and beyond. The regulatory organisations encourage ESG disclosures, and key institutions are promoting green finance, climate resilience, and social inclusion. In this context, the Disclosure and Reporting Guidelines for ESG Funds (March 2025) have been published for investment businesses so that they provide sufficient information on their ESG strategies and products for investors to make better informed decisions. The G

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Asset management was identified as a key engine for growth in the wider Sector Growth Strategy, 18 months ago. This new, focused plan outlines how Scotland’s deep expertise in data, AI, and emerging technologies leaves the asset management sector well placed to drive continued evolution and success. Scottish asset managers are now increasingly well-positioned to leverage advanced AI capabilities, to deliver sharper investment insights and greater efficiency in operational models. Asset managers in Scotland are also taking advantage of key strengths in human capital, by leveraging their close links to universities, both for talent and for opportunities for partnership and incubators.

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