DOHA, Qatar, June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — His Excellency the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, launched today, Smaisma Project, the latest project by the Ministry of Municipality which will be managed by Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company. Upon completion, the project is expected to become a new urban landmark in the country, adding to the growing list of unique tourist destinations along Qatar’s coast.

Speaking at the launch, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Attiyah, Minister of Municipality, stressed the importance of collaboration between partners in the public and private sector to continue and reinforce the growth trajectory that Qatar has been witnessing. “As we move steadily towards achieving Qatar National Vision 2030, we are building a future more prosperous and stable for future generations, economically, socially and environmentally. We look forward to enriching the tourism sector with more projects that meet the needs of this vital industry.”

Eng. Ali bin Mohamed Al-Ali, CEO of Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company, expressed his pride in the trust awarded to Qatari Diar by the Ministry of Municipality to  manage the project, stating, “This latest project has been planned under the umbrella of the Ministry of Municipality and in line with the path of continued economic growth pursued by the State of Qatar. This project will set a new standard for tourism in the region and write a new and exciting chapter in Qatar’s ongoing success story.”

He continued, “The Qatari real estate market is valued at US$485 billion in 2024, and attracts the most foreign direct investments after the energy sector. This industry has witnessed notable growth in the past few years, driven by an increase in demand on residential and retail spaces, growth in visitor numbers, Qatar’s hosting of mega events and development in the business and trade sector.”

The Smaisma Project will span eight million square metres, and extend along seven kilometres of pristine beachfront on Qatar’s eastern coast, in the area known as Smaisma Beach, providing novel tourist and entertainment experiences to the people of Qatar and its visitors.

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The project provides promising investment opportunities, with 16 tourism zones available for development by the private sector, including resorts spread out over four zones each with a unique design and character. In addition, the project will feature a large-scale theme park, 18-hole golf course, residential villas, a yacht marina, as well as luxury restaurants and retailers.

Sustainability will be a fundamental pillar of the project, with reliance on smart construction systems, the use of local and recycled materials, as well as the latest in construction technology.

Considered an integrated tourism development, Smaisma Project will open up promising investment opportunities for real estate, development and tourism companies, encouraging foreign direct investments. 

Qatari Diar has 50 investment projects under development in 20 countries around the world, combining an investment value of around US$35 billion. The company seeks to provide investment opportunities for both local and foreign real estate developers in many of its projects around the world.

The company has also contributed significantly to the growth of Qatar’s real estate sector though pioneering projects, including Lusail City, one of the largest smart and sustainable cities in Qatar.

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Qatari Diar’s vision is to consolidate its position as a real estate investment company with the highest levels of trust, credibility and efficiency, while harnessing its energies and capabilities to provide sustainable development of high quality, careful planning and the use of innovative methods in the world of real estate. 

Media Contact: Peiwen Zou; [email protected]; 44103000

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SAN FRANCISCO and LONDON, June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nium, the global leader in real-time cross-border payments, today announced the appointment of Spencer Hanlon to the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). Previously, Hanlon served as Nium’s Global Head of Travel, spearheading one of the company’s fastest-growing business units. Hanlon joined Nium in 2021 via the acquisition of Ixaris Group Ltd., where he served as Chairman.

In his new role as COO, Hanlon will lead and scale Nium’s day-to-day operations into its next phase of growth, with particular emphasis on new client onboarding, global technical services, and long-term strategic initiatives. He will report to Nium’s Founder and CEO, Prajit Nanu.

“Spencer has been an integral part of Nium for the past three years, demonstrating exceptional cross-functional leadership and a deep understanding of what it takes to scale,” said Nanu. “Appointing Spencer to COO was a natural decision. His vision and dedication have been invaluable to our success, and I am confident that under his leadership, we will continue to achieve outstanding results.”

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Based out of London, Hanlon built the travel business at Nium, growing it from a regional player to one of the world’s leading issuers of virtual cards. Recently, Nium announced year over year (2022 to 2023) revenue growth of 100% in virtual cards in Asia, a strategic priority market for the company.

Commenting on the appointment, Hanlon said, “During the three years I have been with Nium, I have witnessed first-hand the success of this forward-thinking acquisition, as it blossomed into a key part of this incredible cross-border payments scale-up. Now to have the opportunity to lead incredibly dedicated, intelligent, and fun-loving teams across the globe, within one of the world’s most admired fintechs, is both an incredible honour and cause of real excitement for me. To that end, I have the clear brief to continue to make everything we do here at Nium all about the customer. Honestly, I can’t wait to get started.”

Prior to joining Nium, Hanlon held various leadership positions with British Airways over the course of a decade. He has worked and lived in several markets, including the United Kingdom, Taiwan, Malaysia, Switzerland, Israel and Turkey. He furthered his career in travel payments with almost two decades at Lufthansa’s AirPlus International where he led teams in sales, marketing, processing, operations, and customer services – culminating in a stint as Managing Director and COO of AirPlus International GmbH – based out of their headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

Nium is confident that Hanlon’s appointment will further strengthen the company’s leadership team and enhance its ability to deliver exceptional value to its customers, partners, and stakeholders.

Hanlon succeeds Pratik Gandhi, who joined the company in 2016 and took over as Nium’s COO in 2019. Gandhi will move away from his operating role in the company by the end of this year and will continue to be associated with Nium as Co-founder Emeritus and advisor to Nium’s CEO.

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“I am proud of the growth and success we have achieved together and are now at a critical inflection point,” said Gandhi. “It has been an exciting journey navigating through complexities of growth and scale, and I am confident that the company will continue to thrive under Spencer’s leadership.”

“Pratik has been key to Nium’s success. He has been my partner in building this company for the past eight years and it is difficult to describe his contribution in mere words,” said Nanu. “During his time at Nium, Pratik created a culture of excellence, building multiple functions from the ground up. I, and the entire team here at Nium, continue to be excited to see what he will accomplish next.”

About Nium

Nium, the global leader in real-time, cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 35 markets. Nium’s growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licences and authorisations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance – independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore.

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JOHANNESBURG, June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — South Africa’s financial landscape is dynamic, and the crucial role of regulation in this sector cannot be overemphasized. The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has been keen on strengthening its sound regulatory system to ensure that the trading space is protected.

Amidst this environment, famous South African entrepreneur Warwick Sneider has recently officially stated that his new website – the one that is set to help financial brands become regulatory compliant – is live. Sneider’s experience spans several industries such as online brokerage, gaming, casinos, investment analysis, and cryptocurrency. He is a consultant and advisor of choice thanks to his vast knowledge of South African regulations.

“Providing services to help financial companies become regulated is a critical part of what I do,” Sneider stated. “This new website is a leap forward in offering these services more effectively. By handling all the complexities of regulation, my team helps our clients build trust and credibility in the market. We are dedicated to guiding financial brands in achieving their goals and meeting all legal requirements to foster a secure climate for them.”

The Role of FSCA in Enhancing Financial Market Safety

The FSCA’s actions against unlicensed entities underscore the significance of regulation in the modern financial services industry. Just last year, the FSCA penalized several leading names for regulatory breaches. Such steps demonstrate that the regulator is keen on ensuring compliance in South Africa. Moreover, with the emergence of cryptocurrencies, the FSCA has also made it compulsory for all crypto firms operating in South Africa to declare their businesses. Non-compliance attracts serious consequences such as fines of up to $510,000 or imprisonment.

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“My primary goal is to streamline the process of procuring and vetting of any and all regulatory compliance for financial brands,” Sneider added. “By leveraging my extensive experience and deep understanding of the regulatory landscape, I assist businesses in becoming licensed and maintaining their regulatory status. This process not only benefits consumers but also strengthens the integrity of the financial market as a whole. We must now understand that the FSCA’s guidelines, from capital protection to the requirement to segregate funds, are crucial for the creation of a credible trading environment.”

About Warwick Sneider

Warwick Sneider is a well-established businessman in South Africa, known for his management positions in several large companies. Having worked in the financial services industry and regulatory technology, he has earned a reputation as a go-to expert for businesses requiring assistance in these fields. He has also held executive positions with some of the most reputable real estate companies including Waritz Property Group and Parklane Investment Holdings Ltd.

The services offered by Warwick Sneider include helping firms navigate the regulatory environment and ensure they are compliant with the FSCA within the stipulated time. His approach to regulation is all-encompassing and focuses on factors such as transparency, safeguarding of clients’ funds, and the stability of the market, eventually contributing to a safer financial ecosystem. 

https://warwicksneider.com/ 

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