Abu Dhabi Global Market, the International Financial Centre in Abu Dhabi, and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority signed a co-operation agreement today to jointly promote and enable financial services innovation, and accelerate cross-border FinTech business opportunities in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). With this agreement, ADGM has established strategic FinTech collaborations with eleven leading regulators to advance innovation and FinTech growth globally.
Photo Caption (L to R):
Mr Nelson Chow, Chief Fintech Officer of the HKMA and Mr Richard Teng, Chief Executive Officer of the FSRA, sign and exchange the Co-operation Agreement in Hong Kong today (26 June 2018).

The new agreement will allow the HKMA and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM to collaborate and refer innovative businesses and activities to each other's market, facilitate greater sharing of relevant information, providing support in the authorisation processes where appropriate, and explore projects that are mutually beneficial to both jurisdictions.

The agreement was signed in Hong Kong between Mr Nelson Chow, Chief Fintech Officer of the HKMA and Mr Richard Teng, Chief Executive Officer of the FSRA of ADGM.

Mr Chow said, "We are pleased to establish a closer relationship with the FSRA so that both authorities could better support financial innovation in our jurisdictions. ADGM's commitment to the pursuit of innovation resonates strongly with Hong Kong's ambitions. The co-operation between the HKMA and the FSRA would strengthen the two authorities in their respective roles and initiatives in FinTech. We are particularly pleased to start a dialogue with FSRA on the opportunity to build a cross-border trade finance network using distributed ledger technology."

Mr Teng added, "We are glad to further our partnership and collaboration with HKMA by way of this FinTech agreement. Hong Kong has remained a long-term strategic and economic partner of Abu Dhabi and the United Arab Emirates. This co-operation augments ADGM’s commitment in supporting the growth and financial developments of Abu Dhabi and the Middle East, Africa and greater Asia regions. We look forward to working closely with the HKMA to support our FinTech start-ups and our innovative businesses, from regulations to adoption, in advancing and applying their solutions to each of our respective financial markets and jurisdictions".

As the FinTech Hub in the MENA region, ADGM values the importance of FinTech bridges with like-minded international financial centres and jurisdictions to foster a robust and sustainable global FinTech ecosystem. These cross-border partnerships enable ADGM to maintain a practical, open and inclusive global FinTech centre to continue serving the communities in Abu Dhabi and the greater MENA region.

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 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 succeed within an international regulatory framework based on Common Law. ADGM has been awarded the "Financial Centre of the Year (MENA)" for two consecutive years, since its inception, 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. For latest ADGM FInTech updates, please visit www.fintech.adgm.com.

* Source: The Global Investor Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Awards

For further enquiries, please contact:

Joan Lew, Senior Manager, Communications
Email: joan.lew@adgm.com, Tel: +971 2 333 8858
Online: www.adgm.com