Fintech PR
World Trade Centers Association’s 55th Annual Global Business Forum to Convene in Marseille, France
Global business leaders, policymakers and industry experts to gather for timely discussions on trade, investment and partnership opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions
NEW YORK, March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — World Trade Centers Association® (WTCA®) — an international trade organization connecting more than 300 World Trade Center® (WTC®) locations in nearly 100 countries and territories — and World Trade Center (WTC) Marseille Provence will host the 55th annual WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) in Marseille, France from April 6-9.
The association’s annual Forum assembles both WTCA members and their global networks, including leaders from business, government, academia, and international organizations. More than 300 attendees from more than 50 countries and territories have confirmed their participation. Currently, represented countries and territories include: Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China Mainland, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Guyana, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Palestine, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Syria, Taiwan, Togo, Tunisia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Vietnam and Yemen.
The four-day event offers a range of programming, including “Strategies for Success in an Evolving Marketplace,” “Free Trade Zones as Engines of Growth,” and “Navigating Trade, Real Estate and Investment Trends in 2025.” New this year, WTCA is featuring a Real Estate Summit for attendees with specialized sessions on “World Trade Center Projects in Focus,” “Expanding the Real Estate Horizon: Innovation and Resilience in a Changing World,” “and “FDI Trends Reshaping Real Estate & Infrastructure.”
With the theme “Gateway to the Mediterranean,” this year’s Forum features an opening address from John E. Drew, Chair, WTCA Board of Directors; and Benoit Vincent, CEO of WTC Marseille Provence. Other notable speakers include: Angela Ellard, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organization; Ken Levinson, CEO of the Washington International Trade Association (WITA); Penny Naas, Lead GMF Allied Strategic Competitiveness of the German Marshall Fund of the United States; Lionel Johnson, President of the Pacific Pension and Investment Institute; Lia Rochat, Founder of Archismart Energy; Philippe Veran, Co-Founder and President of Biotech Dental; Jacopo Dettoni, Editor of fDi Intelligence/Financial Times; Edward Grunwald, Partner and Sales Director of Revolugo; Daniel Tchenio, Director at CBRE Marseille; Amal Louis, Director of Business Development and Intermodal Solutions of the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille – Port de Marseille Fos; and Samir Hamrouni, CEO of the World Free Zones Organization.
“WTCA remains committed to promoting free and fair trade, open markets, and healthy competition — principles that drive investment, prosperity and economic growth,” said John E. Drew, Chair, WTCA Board of Directors. “Now more than ever, as businesses navigate shifting global trade policies and economic uncertainty, the annual WTCA Global Business Forum (GBF) provides a vital platform for members and their networks to connect, explore new markets, and gain critical insights. With an active and engaged B2B program supported by a robust matchmaking platform, this year’s GBF reinforces our commitment to fostering partnerships and expanding global opportunities.”
Demonstrating the strength of the global WTCA network, the Forum facilitates direct business-to-business (B2B) relationships and investment opportunities across industry sectors including agriculture, architecture, banking and financial services, construction and building materials, consumer goods, food and beverage, freight and logistics, health technology, industrial solutions, manufacturing, maritime and energy services, and tourism.
This year’s Forum features structured B2B matchmaking sessions, connecting attendees directly with companies and individuals who align with their specific business needs. In partnership with the International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Internationale) Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, the GBF B2B matchmaking platform becomes immediately available to attendees upon registration for the event.
Marseille was chosen for this year’s event given its role as a critical European hub for trade, innovation, and economic activity. The Mediterranean region connects three continents and plays a vital role in global commerce, boasting strong industries in maritime trade, logistics, energy, tourism, and technology. Hosting the GBF in Marseille provides WTCA members and attending delegates with unparalleled access to this dynamic market, offering opportunities to explore investment prospects and engage with leaders shaping regional and global trade.
“Our region has long been a crossroads of global trade, driving economic growth and fostering international collaboration. Between its strategic location, diverse industries and thriving innovation ecosystem, Marseille is the ideal setting for this year’s Forum,” said Benoit Vincent, CEO, WTC Marseille Provence. “This event will create new opportunities for investment, trade, and partnership in one of the world’s most dynamic economic regions.”
Last year’s WTCA Global Business Forum was held in Bengaluru, India, bringing together nearly 300 attendees from 36 countries and territories, including 105 WTC businesses. The event marked the debut of the “Global Business Forum” under its new name, formerly known as the WTCA General Assembly, and featured over 300 scheduled B2B meetings and the signing of 12 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between WTCA members in various regions and with some local Indian business partners, strengthening global partnerships and expanding business opportunities worldwide.
For more information about the 2025 WTCA Global Business Forum, please visit wtca.swoogo.com/2025gbf. Also, follow along on social media via #WTCAEvents and #WTCAinMarseille.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
Chanelle Dimalanta
Phone: +1 212 432 2644
Email: cdimalanta@wtca.org
Violet PR
Kate Traina
Phone: +1 908 967 2117
Email: kate@violetpr.com
About World Trade Centers Association (WTCA)
World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) is a network of more than 300 highly connected, mutually supporting businesses and organizations in nearly 100 countries and territories. As the owner of the “World Trade Center” and “WTC” trademarks, WTCA licenses exclusive rights to these brands for members to use in conjunction with their independently owned, iconic properties, facilities and trade services offerings. Through a robust portfolio of events, programming and resources that it offers its members, the goal of WTCA is to help local economies thrive by encouraging and facilitating trade and investment across the globe, creating an ecosystem built around commerce, community and connection. To learn more, visit www.wtca.org.
About World Trade Center (WTC) Marseille Provence
Established in 1984, World Trade Center (WTC) Marseille Provence stands out as a genuine emblem of the regional economy, to make it a decisive driver of the region’s international dynamics and attractiveness. WTC Marseille Provence has evolved its offer to meet the entrepreneurs’ expectations. Located in the heart of the city of Marseille and in the perimeter of Euroméditerranée, WTC Marseille Provence proposes exceptional places: business, convention centers and a corporate club, connected to the global World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) network. WTC Marseille Provence is a certified ISO 20121. To learn more, visit www.wtcmp.com/en.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2517010/World_Trade_Centers_Association_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/world-trade-centers-associations-55th-annual-global-business-forum-to-convene-in-marseille-france-302402181.html
Fintech PR
Israeli Startups Gain Strategic U.S. Market Entry Through New Initiative from Mercurius Media Capital
Strategic Support and Media Resources to Accelerate U.S. Expansion
TEL AVIV, Israel, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mercurius Media Capital (MMC) has launched Mercurius Bridge in Israel, empowering local startups and growth-stage companies with established product-market fit to expand into the U.S. Combining media capital, strategic mentorship, and a curated network of service providers, it streamlines market entry and accelerates brand growth.
Renowned for cutting-edge technology, Israel’s startup ecosystem offers fertile ground for innovation. As the first dedicated U.S. media-for-equity fund, MMC partners with diverse media platforms to invest in high-growth ventures. Through Mercurius Bridge, international companies gain critical resources, networks, and expert guidance to optimize go-to-market strategies, consumer engagement, and media execution.
“Our team has a ten-year track record of bridging international markets with the U.S. across 40+ transactions. More recently, under MMC, we have successfully facilitated U.S. market entry for companies from markets like Singapore and Australia,” said Piyush Puri, Founding Partner, MMC. “Our strategic mentorship ensures companies establish a strong U.S. presence. By leveraging insights from seasoned operators and collaborating with premium media partners, we craft tailored solutions that help startups overcome market-entry obstacles.”
The Israel launch is supported by Eli Mandelbaum, MMC’s newest Venture Partner, who brings nearly 20 years of expertise in strategic sales, business development, and event production. His deep knowledge of the Israeli and U.S. startup ecosystems will help Israeli companies scale globally while enabling MMC to identify high-growth opportunities.
“With Mercurius Bridge’s innovative approach, Israeli companies can gain visibility, credibility and traction to accelerate growth,” said Mandelbaum, Founder of PluggedIn BD. “By bridging the gap between tech excellence and market influence, Mercurius Bridge empowers startups to scale, turning groundbreaking ideas into globally recognized brands.”
More: https://www.mmc.us/mercuriusbridge
Mercurius Media Capital
MMC, launched in December 2023, is the first U.S.-based media-equity venture fund with ~$90 million in committed capital. Co-founded by Satyan Gajwani and Piyush Puri, MMC builds on 15+ years of experience driving media capital transactions at The Times of India Group, facilitating ~$3 billion in media-based investments. MMC has partnered with leading media platforms, including Sinclair Broadcast Group, Televisa Univision, Atmosphere TV, and others, to offer high-growth startups and enterprises access to distinct, large-scale advertising inventory in exchange for equity. This fund has backed several companies, including Airtasker, Deskera, Realpha, and others.
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/israeli-startups-gain-strategic-us-market-entry-through-new-initiative-from-mercurius-media-capital-302403453.html
Fintech PR
Vision Bank becomes operational with Finastra’s cloud-native, Islamic banking treasury solution
With Finastra Kondor and managed services provided by DXC, the bank has enhanced its treasury trading and risk management capabilities, while offering modern, Sharia-compliant services
DUBAI, UAE, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Finastra today announced that the successful implementation of Finastra Kondor and cloud-based managed services provided by DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services provider, enabled Vision Bank, a Sharia-compliant, digital bank in Saudi Arabia, to launch the pilot phase of its banking operations. Finastra’s best-of-breed treasury trading system allowed the bank to upgrade its capabilities for asset and liability management, liquidity management, trading and investment, foreign exchange, capital adequacy and reserve management. The deployment of the solution on cloud also aligns with the digital bank’s broader strategy of creating better user experiences while keeping pace with new demands.
“Our mission is to be a pioneer in the Saudi banking sector, relying on innovation and technology to provide seamless, Sharia-compliant banking solutions that meet our customers’ needs,” said Abdul Shakeel Aidaroos, CEO at Vision Bank. “To help us achieve this, we needed a robust treasury management system with cloud-based managed services that enable us to grow while mitigating risks. Finastra and DXC ensure that we can comply with current and upcoming regulations, drive business continuity and maximum availability, and scale the rollout of new products as needed. We are also contributing to the goals of the Financial Sector Development Program, one of the programs of Saudi Vision 2030.”
Finastra Kondor is a best-of-breed treasury trading system that meets financial institutions’ needs for sophisticated treasury functionality, while enabling growth and ensuring compliance. Renowned for its robust capabilities in supporting complex trading, risk management and operations, the solution is the backbone of numerous financial institutions, enabling them to navigate the intricate landscape of global markets with precision and agility. The successful implementation of the solution, alongside managed services provided by DXC, played a vital role in Vision Bank, formerly known as the Saudi Digital Bank, recently obtaining no objection from the Saudi Central Bank and launching the pilot phase of its banking operations.
“Vision Bank’s growth ambitions and customer-centric ethos align closely to the values we hold at Finastra,” said Wissam Khoury, EVP, Treasury & Capital Markets at Finastra. “The implementation of Kondor played a significant role in the bank’s launch and digital transformation journey, providing the necessary agility to evolve with new demands and take advantage of the opportunities presented by Saudi Arabia’s financial services sector. Working alongside DXC, it has been a pleasure to help Vision Bank reach this milestone and we look forward to its ongoing success.”
“DXC is proud to have partnered with Finastra and Vision Bank to successfully deliver Kondor as the bank’s fully hosted and managed treasury system,” said Anthony Hammond, Global Finastra Lead at DXC. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to driving innovation in financial technology, providing a secure, scalable and future-ready solution that enhances the bank’s treasury operations.”
About Finastra
Finastra is a global provider of financial services software applications across Lending, Payments, Treasury and Capital Markets, and Universal (retail and digital) Banking. Committed to unlocking the potential of people, businesses and communities everywhere, its vision is to accelerate the future of Open Finance through technology and collaboration, and its pioneering approach is why it is trusted by ~8,100 financial institutions, including 45 of the world’s top 50 banks. For more information, visit finastra.com
About Vision Bank
Vision Bank is a Saudi digital bank regulated by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA). Vision Bank is reimagining banking in Saudi Arabia through an experience that is catered to our customers dynamic lifestyles. This creates a place where customers can embrace simplicity, personalization, convenience and absolute control over their financial lives. Recognizing the importance of technology in shaping the future of finance, Vision Bank aims to partner with leading fintech and technology providers to develop bespoke technologies that would differentiate them in the market and meet the ever-evolving needs of our customers.
About DXC
DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) helps global companies run their mission-critical systems and operations while modernizing IT, optimizing data architectures, and ensuring security and scalability across public, private and hybrid clouds. The world’s largest companies and public sector organizations trust DXC to deploy services to drive new levels of performance, competitiveness, and customer experience across their IT estates. Learn more about how we deliver excellence for our customers and colleagues at DXC.com.
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1916021/5219551/FINASTRA_Logo.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/vision-bank-becomes-operational-with-finastras-cloud-native-islamic-banking-treasury-solution-302403452.html
VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, announced the launch of DEX+, the market’s first innovative CEX and DEX hybrid product that provides a seamless, one-stop experience for both on-chain and off-chain trading. This development marks a significant milestone in the evolution of hybrid crypto trading platforms. DEX+ allows users to trade directly on decentralized exchanges (DEXs) through the MEXC app and website, offering access to a wide range of on-chain assets. The initial version of DEX+ will support the Solana ecosystem, enabling users to trade over 10,000 tokens available on Raydium and pump.fun, with future expansion to additional DEXs and blockchain networks.
DEX+ stands out by addressing many of the common pain points faced by users on traditional DEX platforms. Conventional DEX interfaces require users to navigate multi-step interactions with complex on-chain processes such as token approvals, transaction signings, and cryptocurrency swaps. MEXC’s DEX+ simplifies this process entirely. Users can transfer funds directly into their DEX+ account and execute buy and sell orders without dealing with intricate on-chain operations. This approach makes decentralized trading more accessible, especially for new crypto users.
“MEXC’s DEX+ bridges the gap between centralized efficiency and decentralized freedom. Despite the growing popularity of DEXs, the lack of user-friendly interfaces and high transaction fees remain a significant hindrance to widespread adoption. Through DEX+, MEXC aims to solve these issues by providing a familiar, CEX-like trading experience while retaining the benefits of accessing on-chain assets. Users can seamlessly switch between centralized exchange and DEX+ features,” said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC.
MEXC is dedicated to offering a diverse range of accessible assets through its listing strategy and innovative products, all while ensuring top-tier security for its users. MEXC delivers comprehensive custodial wallet management for DEX+ users, ensuring security at an institutional level. Additionally, the platform offers Proof of Reserves, ensuring asset integrity and exceptional transparency. Users’ assets are backed 1:1, and customer fund compensation requirements are fully covered. This dual-layer protection ensures unmatched security for user assets.
Furthermore, MEXC announced its collaboration with GoPlus, an independent third-party security provider that inspects the safety of all trading pairs listed on the platform. This added measure boosts user confidence and transparency, allowing them to trade with greater assurance and peace of mind.
Moving forward, MEXC’s DEX+ is expected to play a pivotal role in the continued growth of DeFi and DEX ecosystems. As more users transition toward decentralized trading platforms, integrating CEX and DEX models will become increasingly important. With DEX+, MEXC strives to stand at the forefront of this innovative trend.
To celebrate the successful launch of DEX+, MEXC is pleased to announce its incentive program: new users completing trades of 100 USDT or more on the DEX+ platform will be eligible to receive a 20 USDT reward. For more details, please visit: https://www.mexc.com/dex-rewards.
About MEXC
Founded in 2018, MEXC is dedicated to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto.” Known for its extensive selection of trending tokens, airdrop opportunities, and low fees, MEXC serves over 34 million users across 170+ countries. With a focus on accessibility and efficiency, our advanced trading platform appeals to both new traders and seasoned investors alike. MEXC provides a seamless, secure, and rewarding gateway to the world of digital assets.
For more information, visit: MEXC Website｜X｜Telegram｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2642648/DEX_pr_1920_1080.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/mexc-launches-dex-one-stop-platform-for-seamless-on-chain-and-off-chain-trading-302402946.html
-
Fintech7 days agoFintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief – March 11, 2025: Apex Fintech, Bakkt, Stripe, PayPal, Nvidia, Shopify, Adyen, Intergiro, Seon, Infintegration
-
Fintech PR5 days agoCBC Summit Expands to Europe, Bringing Crypto Banking, Compliance, and Payments Leaders Together in London on March 17, 2026
-
Fintech PR4 days agoCurve Secures £37M Investment led by Hanaco Ventures as the Company approaches profitability and prepares to Launch Curve Pay in 2025
-
Fintech5 days agoFintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief – March 12, 2025 | Stax Payments, St. Pete Fintech, Credit Rewards Fintech, The Power of Time: London
-
Fintech PR4 days agoForward Global responds to surge in UK shareholder activism with launch of UK Corporate Contests Practice
-
Fintech4 days agoFintech Pulse: Your Daily Industry Brief – March 13, 2025: Featuring Remitly, State Bank of India, Sofi, Smart Eye Technology, Finov8r & More
-
Fintech PR4 days agoBaron Evans of Sealand and PR Guru Paul Holmes to Lead Davos Communications Summit 2025 on April 10 in Switzerland
-
Fintech PR4 days agoMarygold & Co. Launch Britain’s First-of-a-Kind Intuitive Financial App, Set to Overhaul the UK’s Archaic Banking System