ㅇ The following is an excerpt from the October edition of the WAIFC newsletter.
   - Voices: An insightful interview with Myongho Rhee, President of the Busan Finance Center, discussing Busan's ambitions as a global maritime finance hub and reflections from our AGM in Tokyo.

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 ㅇ Myongho Rhee reflects on his experience at the WAIFC Annual General Meeting in Tokyo, highlighting the productive discussions among global financial centers. Looking ahead, Rhee outlines Busan's ambitious plans to become a global hub for maritime finance, as well as the significance of hosting the 2026 WAIFC AGM in Busan.

 

 
ㅇ As the president of the Busan Finance Center and a WAIFC board member, you participated in the WAIFC’s AGM week alongside other members in Tokyo. How did you experience this week of meeting in Japan?

 

During the WAIFC AGM week in Tokyo, I had the privilege of engaging with a diverse group of international financial centers from Europe, Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, the Americas, and Africa. The experience was both insightful and inspiring. As a founding member, I am proud to witness WAIFC’s continued growth and strengthening with every passing year. The meetings were highly productive, leading to in-depth discussions on collaboration between international financial centers.

 

Fincity.Tokyo was an exceptional host, and the visits provided valuable insights into how Japan's four Financial and Asset Management Special Zones bring unique characteristics to the financial landscape. Overall, it was a highly valuable experience, reinforcing our shared commitment to advancing the future of global finance. I’m deeply grateful for Keiichi’s contributions; his steady leadership has laid a strong foundation for WAIFC. I also extend my congratulations to Lamia and the newly appointed Chairs, and Busan will continue to work closely with the new leadership to further our collaboration.

 

 

 ㅇ What are the plans for the Busan Finance Center in the coming years? What do you see as its key strengths and challenges?

 

In the coming years, the Busan Finance Center aims to take significant steps toward becoming a global financial hub, with a particular focus on maritime finance. We’re building on Busan’s strengths as a leader in the maritime industry, especially in shipbuilding and logistics, to create a specialized financial ecosystem. By connecting maritime finance with digital and sustainable finance, we aim to attract more international financial institutions and talent to Busan. That said, there are still some challenges ahead. We need to keep improving the city’s infrastructure and living conditions to make Busan more attractive to global talent and investors. But we’re excited about the future.

The upcoming completion of 'D-Valley,' phase 3 of Busan International Finance Center Complex, will offer a great platform for startups, investors, and financial institutions to flourish. Also, with the 2026 WAIFC AGM being held in Busan, we’ll have the perfect opportunity to showcase our progress and cement our position as a key player on the global stage. We’re committed to working hard to promote Busan’s transformation and share these exciting developments with the world.

 
Direct link to the related LinkedIn post ☜