Abu Dhabi: His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of the Executive Office, officially graced the opening ceremony of FinTech Abu Dhabi (FinTechAD) this morning at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, FinTech Abu Dhabi continues to champion innovation and entrepreneurship across financial services with the expertise of leading global and regional professionals.
His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, UAE’s Minister of State and Executive Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) welcomed leaders, decision-makers and global experts who have gathered in Abu Dhabi to share their expertise.
Addressing the audience, he said: “It is gratifying to see the transformation of FinTech Abu Dhabi over the years to become one of the much-anticipated FinTech not only in MENA but globally. As a young nation, the UAE has advanced at an exceptional pace with transformational initiatives in many key sectors. Innovation has been a vital pillar in the UAE and Abu Dhabi's ambition and plans to establish a sustainable, digitally-driven and knowledge-based economy”
H.E. Al Sayegh revealed new findings from an ADGM-MAGNITT “MENA FinTech Venture Report” released today, highlighting FinTech as the top industry across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by number of deals in 2018 and 2019. He also announced the opening the ADGM digital sandbox, a cloud-based environment for FinTechs, banks and others, to co-create and test products with regulators’ guidance to deliver better services to clients to the 1st cohort of member applications. This state-of-the-art digital platform will replace the current RegLab programme. The ADGM Academy is also launching a new programme focusing on Artificial Intelligence in Finance.
H.H. Sheikh Khalid also heard a keynote speech from Dr Zhou Xiao Chuan, Vice Chairman of the Bo’ao Forum for Asia and President of China Society for Finance and Banking.
Following the opening speech, H.H. Sheikh Khalid joined members of Abu Dhabi Executive Council and distinguished guests on a tour of the exhibition area where he visited the stand of Plug & Play, leading innovation platform in the Middle East.
H.H Sheikh Khalid was accompanied by H.E. Saif Mohamed AL Hajeri, Chairman of Department of Economic Development, H.E. Eng. Awaidha Murshed Al Marar, Chairman of the Department of Energy and a member of the Executive Council and Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi.
The FinTechAD has attracted more than 5,000 global FinTech and financial participants from 75 countries including 14 unicorns. 50 best-of-the best global FinTech firms are also showcasing their most innovative and unique solutions to during the two days.
The second day of the festival also saw the 'Innovation Challenge' held in collaboration with KPMG which was an opportunity for participating companies to create solutions to real challenges facing companies.
The festival focused on key tracks of innovation, investment deals, development of financial technology centre for the Belt and Road Initiative and provide support for new projects and emerging talent in the region.
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About FinTech Abu Dhabi 2019
The MENA region’s leading FinTech Festival is organised by Abu Dhabi Global Market (“ADGM”), the award-winning international Financial Centre, and supported by global innovation platform – Unbound.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, the FinTech Abu Dhabi Festival is bringing together 13 FinTech Unicorns, global and local financial institutions, FinTech start-ups, investors, regulatory agencies and the business community to network, collaborate and exchange expertise and knowledge in FinTech developments in Abu Dhabi, the wider MENA region and internationally.
This year the Festival includes the inaugural Investor Forum which has attracted leading regional and international venture capital investors to gather with their peers, exchange ideas and best practices.
The Festival also includes the Innovation Challenge, the Etihad Challenge sponsored by Etihad Airways, the FinTech-themed Youth Circle and the Tokenisation of Assets Workshop sponsored by multinational law firm DLA Piper.
Key to connecting this year’s attendees is the launch of the inaugural FinTech Abu Dhabi app and the Urban Experience - a new addition this year – which will be an opportunity for Festival attendees to network and make new connections.
For more details of the ADGM’s FinTech Abu Dhabi event, visit www.FinTechabudhabi.com to register interest and follow us on @FinTechAD, #FinTechAD and #InnovationChallengeAD
About Abu Dhabi Global Market
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), an international financial centre (IFC) located in the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, opened for business on 21 October 2015. Established by a UAE Federal Decree as a broad-based financial centre, ADGM augments Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for business and finance and serves as a strategic link between the growing economies of the Middle East, Africa and South Asia and the rest of the world.
ADGM’s strategy is anchored by Abu Dhabi’s key strengths including private banking, wealth management, asset management and financial innovation. Comprising three independent authorities: ADGM Courts, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Registration Authority, ADGM as IFC governs the Al Maryah Island which is a designated financial free zone. It
enables registered financial institutions, companies and entities to operate, innovate and success within an international regulatory framework based on Common Law. Since its inception, ADGM has been awarded the “Financial Centre of the Year (MENA)” for three consecutive years for its initiatives and contributions to the financial and capital markets industry in the region.*
For more details of ADGM, please visit www.adgm.com or follow us on Twitter: @adglobalmarket and Linkedin: ADGM
Source: The Global Investor Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Awards
For further enquiries, please contact:
Joan Lew, Associate Director, Communications
Email: joan.lew@adgm.com , Telephone: +971 2 333 8858
About Unbound
Founded by Daniel Seal in the UK in 2013, Unbound has grown rapidly into a powerful, trusted brand with a globally respected voice on innovation. Unbound bridges the gap, enabling a fusion of grassroots entrepreneurs, established corporate business, dynamic brands, governments and trade agencies to inspire communities and fuel a digital future. It encourages innovation by showcasing pioneering ideas and empowering entrepreneurship, creating digital ecosystems around the world.
In 2018, Unbound festivals welcomed over 25,000 of the finest minds in tech to hear from future-focussed speakers, and take part in immersive brand experiences, pitch sessions and start-up battles.
For more details of Unbound, please visit www.unbound.live or follow us on Twitter: @unboundglobal Instagram: UnboundGlobal, Linkedin: UnboundGlobal
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