Background: Z/Yen's "Focus On" series highlights key business and financial centres from around the world. Here, we look at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most populous city and largest financial centre. This city is also known as the “Pearl of the Far East” with the charming heritage, dynamic, vibrant and …

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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 37th edition of the index.Programme:09:00 Introduction & Welcome – TBC09:05 Opening Remarks - TBC09:15 GFCI 37 Results …

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The Esop Centre is set to return to Jersey for its annual conference on employee share schemes and trustees. Held in conjunction with STEP Jersey, we look to emulate the success of the 2022 event, building on the achievements of this industry-leading networking and learning opportunity.The seminar will be on …

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Background: The fifteenth 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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We will walk through the hidden and secret gardens which tell the story of the City of London.Including:A park around the burial ground of William Blake the poet, John Bunyan, Daniel Defoe and othersA herbal garden associated with the Barber SurgeonsA wild field beside the Roman WallA park in the …

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In this webinar, we launch the eleventh edition of the Smart Centres Index (SCI 11). 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 38th edition of the index.Programme:09:00 Introduction & Welcome – TBC09:05 Opening Remarks - TBC09:15 GFCI 38 Results …

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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: 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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Background: Z/Yen's "Focus On" series highlights key business and financial centres from around the world. Here we look at Seoul, which is the largest city and capital of South Korea, as well as being home to many Fortune 500 companies, such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai. In this webinar, Bonhi …

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Focus On Gift City 2024 provides a short update on the progress being made in Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The aim of this update is to provide readers with news about the exciting progress being made by GIFT City.In April 2015, the Government of India took the initiative …

The fourteenth edition of the Global Green Finance Index (GGFI 14) was published on 24 October 2024. GGFI 14 evaluates green finance offerings from 97 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 appears …

The Z/Yen Group has today published its report, “An Enabling Regulatory Framework for Innovation: Web3 & FinTech”, commissioned by the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council. The report explores the development of regulatory approaches in the context of the introduction of Web3, which is designed to enhance the machine readability …

Our Report, "An Enabling Regulatory Framework for Innovation: Web3 & FinTech" was commissioned by the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council (FSDC). We are very grateful to the FSDC for their assistance in translating this report into Chinese.

The thirty-sixth edition of the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI 36) was published on 24 September 2024. GFCI 36 provides evaluations of future competitiveness and rankings for 121 financial centres around the world. The GFCI serves as a valuable reference for policy and investment decision-makers.China Development Institute (CDI) in Shenzhen …

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.

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Our latest collaboration with Consult Hyperion delves deep into why FIs need to change their mindset when it comes to #payments ecosystem modernisation. Instead of fixating solely on the front-end, it's time to invest more in your core technology and embrace a future-proof strategy. In our latest white paper, we dissect the payment system architectures that #FIs, #banks and #processors utilise today, highlighting their benefits, disadvantages, and where they should sit in your tech stack. This white paper is a must-read for C-level execs and payments professionals seeking to break free from the chains of the past.

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In a strategic move towards enhancing its technological capabilities, Kumari Bank, one of Nepal's leading commercial banks, has selected Compass Plus Technologies as its processor. The collaboration marks a pivotal moment for Kumari Bank as it transitions from its previous local processing company to a global processing partner with cutting-edge, adaptable technology that will elevate its capabilities and empower it to bring new products and services to the market at pace.

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The basic plan is aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2018. The plan consists of 101 tasks across 8 sectors, with a vision to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to become a global hub city, free from the climate crisis. The major sector-specific greenhouse gas reduction measures, which will see an investment of 19.87 trillion won by 2030, include ?the expansion of renewable energy to improve energy self-sufficiency in buildings, ?the distribution of eco-friendly vehicles such as electric and hydrogen cars, ?the provision of energy reduction devices in agriculture, fisheries, and aquaculture, ?Waste Valorization, ?hydrogen cluster construction, ?expansion of blue carbon, ?carbon dioxide capture, storage, and utilization. The Basic Plan includes carbon-neutral policies that leverage Busan's strengths, such as creating a ?'15-minute carbon-neutral urban space,' ?becoming a 'global green city in the hydrogen economy,' ?leading a 'carbon-neutral circular

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Join Heart of the City for an online Lunch and Learn: How to Get Started on Your Net Zero Journey, on 7 August, hosted by Climate Programme Officer, Katie Rogers. This free online session is specifically tailored for small to medium-sized enterprises with an interest to learn how to measure their carbon footprint and navigate through the complexities of achieving net zero. Find out more and secure your place in the link provided..

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Roger Cohen – CEO and Founder of C2Zero will be in London from July 1 to July 15. To arrange a meeting or to find out more, reach out on LinkedIn or email link.

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Dr. Dong-Hae Lee commenced his career at the Korea Development Bank in 1989, ultimately ascending to the position of Head of the Maritime Finance Division. He has extensive working experience in international finance, having served at the Korea Development Bank with assignments in both London and New York. In regard of maritime finance, Dr. Lee led the establishment of the "KDB Let's Together Shipping Fund," with a scale of USD 800 million (approximately KRW 1 trillion) in 2009, and was also involved in large-scale shipping finance. Under his directorship, shipping finance volume reached more than USD 2.3 billion (approximately KRW 3.15 trillion), contributing to the construction of 20 ships for HMM as part of the South Korean government's "Five-Year Plan for Shipping Recovery. Before joining Busan Finance Center, Dr. Lee served as a deputy director of the Korea University Maritime Law Centre. Dr. Lee obtained his Ph.D. in Business Administration …

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Lymington storage networking technology innovator, Bridgeworks, has signed its first global distributor – Nuvola Distribution. Nuvola is a leading Technology and Services Distributor based jn the UK and Republic of Ireland. This partnership brings together the award-winning and patented WANrockIT and PORTrockIT WAN acceleration technology, to be delivered by an experienced distribution specialist in the networking and data communications space. Nuvola is pleased toto enhance its portfolio with a focus on pure WAN acceleration, for both TCP/IP and block storage traffic. This addition to the Nuvola vendor range is via Bridgeworks’ award winning and intelligent AI-based high-speed routing. Bridgeworks technology is distinct from and complementary to the SD-WAN and Backup and Replication categories. It can be used uniquely or in combination with these technologies by any of the world’s medium and large enterprises to increase throughput across the WAN. The partnership demonstrates Bridgewo

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Valloop partners with GFT to build platform that helps accelerate and scale employee ownership: GFT has partnered with Valloop to design, build and support a digital platform that uses modern technologies such as AI, to automate and accelerate the processes to inclusive ownership for businesses. The Valloop Exchange is a single marketplace for businesses going through the transition, providing an easy-to-use model for employees and business owners to access tools and information about the process. Read our press release here.

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Northeastern University London, a new FS Club Sponsor, is the European hub of Northeastern's global experiential research university network. With its new state-of-the-art campus across the City of London and Tower Hamlets, the University offers wide-ranging collaborative opportunities for employers at intersections of ethics, finance, technology and AI. Opportunities include flexible degree apprenticeships, student 'co-op' placements, digital skills bootcamps with ServiceNow, insights events, and research and consultancy. With online and on-campus formats, the University helps bridge technological skills gaps within organisations, supporting innovative growth that meets business needs. The University's events and programme portfolio is set to expand across 2025, supported by an award from the Office for Students, including the launch of an Accounting Finance Manager degree apprenticeship in April, designed with the Institute of Financial Accountants...

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On October 28, 2024, during Blockchain Week in Busan, the Busan Digital Asset Exchange (BDAE) officially launched under the brand name ‘BDAN.’ Short for "Busan Digital Asset Nexus," the name embodies the exchange’s mission to foster connections and transform everyday life beyond simple asset transactions. BDAN aims to facilitate the trading of various digital commodities, including exchange certificates backed by gold and silver. BDAN has also launched the Asia Digital Asset Exchange Alliance (ADEA) in partnership with digital exchanges in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia.

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Pioneering Insurance, Investment, and Innovation: Mauritius hosted the 3i International Conference, a landmark event organised by the Insurers Association of Mauritius in November 2024. This global gathering brought together insurance leaders, disruptors, and investors to explore the pivotal themes of Insurance, Investment, and Innovation as essential drivers of resilient societies and sustainable communities. The three-day conference showcased emerging trends from sustainable investment strategies and digital transformation to regulatory advancements and risk management. The conference also fostered collaboration among stakeholders and emphasised the insurance sector's role in shaping a sustainable future. Through dialogue and shared insights, the event reaffirmed Mauritius' commitment to advancing as a premier international financial centre and a hub for for innovation and international connectivity in financial services and insurance.

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The 7 days after Black Friday 2023 saw online retail sales decline by 1.9%. For the IMRG, the UK eCommerce Association wasn’t far off, predicting a fall of 2% that year. Despite this, it reports that Cyber Monday was the strongest trading day, with a 5.6% year-on-year increase in e-commerce sales – “followed by Tuesday, which also showed positive growth.” IMRG says the challenges that the Black Friday and Cyber Monday period faced included the fact that not everyone would have had their monthly pay cheque. There is also the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which has impact both e-commerce and in-store retail sales. Yet, there is hope for the 2024 season. Firstly, most people will have been paid by 29th November 2024, which IRMG believes could boost online trading activity, and they predict that Cyber Monday will remain stable. It recommends that retailers use FOMO (fear-of-missing-out) messaging to stimulate sales [...] …

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Building a bank in 12 months – download our GFT, Engine by Starling and Salt Bank thought leadership paper GFT, Engine by Starling and Salt Bank put on a highly engaging event to demonstrate how together, we built and launched a bank in 12 months! The launch of Salt Bank emphasises GFT’s global leadership in digital banking on modern platforms and this event proved to be an exciting chance to showcase our remarkable success story which has also received multiple nominations from the Banking Tech Awards 2024. Watch out vox pop video from our event and download our white paper here. GFT and Google Cloud AI now hosting AI event on Thursday 9 January 2025 GFT and Google Cloud are now hosting our exciting AI evening in January 2025 to cover the latest trends and adoption of AI and how it can best achieve business innovation! At the event, industry …

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For more than 30 years we have empowered intelligence analysts and investigators to discover, create, and exploit actionable intelligence to identify the perpetrators of criminal activity. This blog demonstrates how i2’s iBase product was used to manage supplier risk for a Billion-Euro Construction Project. iBase was used to prevent and identify potential issues with subcontractors, ensuring timely project completion, high quality standards, and cost savings. The tool is used regularly in risk assessments to help prevent money laundering activities and to classify risks for ongoing projects. Read the article in full here.

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NayaOne simplifies Generative AI (Gen AI) adoption for enterprises by offering a platform that delivers comprehensive support at every stage—from experimentation to full-scale implementation. What sets NayaOne apart is its secure sandbox and pre-vetted AI tools that allow enterprises to test, validate, and deploy Gen AI solutions swiftly and safely. By leveraging synthetic data and hands-on learning, NayaOne helps organisations reduce the risk of AI hallucination, bias, and compliance issues, all while fostering innovation. Enterprises can unlock new levels of efficiency, from automating tasks to enhancing decision-making with data-driven insights. With faster time-to-market, NayaOne enables businesses to reduce costs, boost productivity, and deliver personalised customer experiences. Don’t Let Your Competition Leave You Behind. Visit NayaOne today or schedule a consultation to explore how the platform can accelerate your Gen AI adoption and deliver transformative results.

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Astana International Financial Centre, GIP Regional Office in Central Asia in cooperation with stakeholders in the region presented a special report on state of sustainable finance in Central Asia. The development of local markets has been facilitated by policy interventions from regulators, stock exchanges, development of local standards and active participation of the private sector. The report highlights these developments, offers a unique vision for international investors to the markets of Central Asia and identifies next steps for further development applicable to other emerging markets.

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Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 3rd December 2024 – Fonepay, Nepal’s largest interoperable payment network, has unveiled its first virtual credit card, marking a significant milestone in its mission to establish itself as a fully-fledged locally operated payment network in the country. Developed in collaboration with Compass Plus Technologies and its award-winning payments platform, TranzAxis, the innovative service is designed to provide a secure, flexible, and cost-effective digital credit solution for Nepal’s financial institutions, offering a strong local alternative to those offered by international card networks. For more information, please contact Declan Kinsella at PR@compassplustechnologies.com / +44 115 753 0120.

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With Carbon Cancellation Certificates from C2Zero, you can give the gift of preventing carbon (CO2e) emissions—for yourself, your loved ones, and the planet. It’s simple: visit carbon.uk.c2zero.net. Starting at under £18 (including VAT) for 200kg of carbon, this gift makes a real difference! Learn more at www.c2zero.net/campaign/c4s-by-c2zero.

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We invite young academics to submit papers or essays on the future of a sustainable and inclusive financial sector, addressing one of the following topics: We invite young academics to submit papers or essays addressing one of the following topics: The role of international financial centers in promoting collaboration and channeling climate change finance. How financial centers can support harmonizing and proliferating sustainable reporting standards. The role of IFCs in financing the circular economy. The role of the financial sector in fostering a sustainable blue (maritime) economy. The role of the financial sector in designing products/services and due diligence practices to specifically foster social enterprises. How financial centers can foster gender equity in the financial industry. The impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on the financial sector. The impact of Quantum Computing on the financial sector. The role digital and tokenized assets will play in the coming

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