26 March 2018, Singapore and Tokyo – The Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) and the Fintech Association of Japan (FAJ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to foster stronger relationships and greater fintech cooperation between the two countries.
The partnership will see the associations working together to collaborate on joint projects and initiatives to support fintech innovation and development. It will be used to raise the profile of the Japanese fintech industry and promote Singapore as a destination for Japanese business in wider Asia. Members will benefit from shared knowledge and exchange of expertise in the aim to nurture global business opportunities. The signing was celebrated with a Friendship evening and Sake tasting in Singapore on March 13, 2018 at the Money 20/20 conference.
Mr Chia Hock Lai, President of the SFA said: “With this partnership, we aim to bridge the gap between the two fintech communities in both Singapore and Japan. We are pleased that our mutual memberships can enjoy the benefits of closer collaboration.”
Natalie Shiori Fleming, Vice Chairperson of Fintech Association of Japan, said: “We are pleased to expand the FAJ’s global network by connecting with the Singapore FinTech Association, and look forward to growing synergies between our respective markets through a deeper relationship with the Singapore fintech community.”
The alliance echoes government strategies to enhance fintech in their respective countries. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) of Japan has updated legislation to enable established banks and non-bank fintech companies to work together. Equally, the Monetary Association of Singapore (MAS) issued an Industry Transformation Map (ITM) in 2017, outlining fintech innovation at the heart of growth strategy.
This agreement hopes to capitalise on the respective opportunities and strengths in either market. In 2017, the KPMG Pulse of FinTech report showed US$61.5m investment in the sector in Singapore, with 97% of the population already within the financial system.
The SFA has welcomed partner organisations on to its platform, ranging from local academic institutions and associations, to international FinTech hubs in Abu Dhabi, Denmark, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Switzerland. The organisation has also signed memorandums of understanding with institutions of higher learning in Singapore to support job creation at home and overseas.
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About the Singapore FinTech Association
The Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) is a cross-industry, non-profit organization designed to facilitate collaboration between all market participants and stakeholders in the FinTech ecosystem. It has over 125 members, who represent the full range of stakeholders in the FinTech industry, from early stage innovative companies to large financial players and service providers. The SFA also partners with institutions and other associations, from Singapore and globally, to cooperate on initiatives relating to the FinTech industry.
Find out more at http://SingaporeFinTech.org
About The Fintech Association of Japan
The Fintech Association of Japan (FAJ) promotes open innovation in the Japanese fintech industry by creating networking opportunities for members, researching market trends, and cooperating with domestic, international, and government organizations. The Association promotes Japanese fintech abroad and encourages the exchange of information internationally. It has over 300 members, and represents over 100 fintech companies in Japan. See more at: http://www.fintechjapan.org/en/about
For further enquiries, please contact:
SFA: FAJ:
Caroline Bowler, Bowlah PR Noriko Sanada, Infcurion
DID: +65 8332 7688 DID: +81-3-6277-1058
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]