Business

Macao to host exclusive wealth and investment summit in May

Published

9 months ago

April 29, 2025

Spread the love

Asia’s role in shaping global investment trends will be in the spotlight next month as senior financial leaders, family offices, and institutional investors gather in Macao for the second edition of the BEYOND Wealth Summit.

The invitation-only event will be held on May 23–24 at The Venetian Macao, alongside the wider BEYOND Expo 2025, one of the region’s noted technology and innovation gatherings. More than 300 participants are expected to attend the event, including family offices, market experts, and financial executives from across Asia and beyond.

This year, the summit adds a new dimension with the Greenwich Economic Forum (GEF) joining as a co-host alongside the Asian Family Legacy Foundation (AFLF) and BEYOND Expo. GEF is known for its global investment forums featuring high-profile names from the finance world.

The 2025 agenda seeks to cover a wide range of topics, including multigenerational wealth planning, institutional investment strategies, global market outlooks, technology-driven innovation, and philanthropy.

Over the years, some of the world’s most influential establishments have participated in GEF, including Dalio Family Office and Philanthropies, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Australian Retirement Trust, HESTA (Australia), Tamasek, TIAA, GE Pension, IBM Retirement Trust, Rockefeller Foundation, Blue Pool Capital, Cornerstone Group Family Office, Quilvest (France), Declaration Partners, Howard Family Office, and The Li Family Office.

While the full speaker lineup has not yet been announced, previous GEF events have featured renowned figures such as Ray Dalio, Founder and CIO Mentor of Bridgewater Associates; Alan Greenspan, former Chairman of US Federal Reserve; Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA); Michael Spence, Nobel Laureate Economist; Nouriel Roubini, Economist and Professor at NYU Stern; Cathie Wood, Founder, CEO and CIO of ARK Invest; David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of The Carlyle Group, among others.

Expert panels, keynote speeches, and networking opportunities

The forum will cover topics such as:

• The Future of Family Wealth

• Institutional Investing & Market Outlook

• Frontier Technology and Cutting-edge Innovation

• Global Asset Allocation

• Sustainable Impact and collaborative philanthropy

• Industry Spotlights

Shining the spotlight on wealth and finance

Jason Ho, co-founder of BEYOND Expo, said the summit reflects Asia’s increasing influence in the investment world. “This platform helps spotlight the region’s growing leadership in wealth and finance, while also fostering global connections,” he said.

Dr Gang Lu, also a co-founder of BEYOND Expo, added: “Investment strategies and wealth preservation are evolving quickly. Through this summit, we aim to shape conversations that will influence the next decade of decision-making.”

Michael Zhu, Chair of AFLF, noted that the event has become an important meeting point for families and institutions navigating the complexities of legacy and investment. “We’re building on last year’s momentum with broader participation and deeper discussions,” he said.

GEF co-founder Jim Aiello said the partnership opens new pathways into Asian markets. “Bringing the forum to Macao allows us to tap into the region’s most dynamic opportunities and expand the global investment dialogue.”

Registration for investors and industry professionals

While the BEYOND Wealth Summit is limited to guests by invitation only, the BEYOND Expo, which runs from May 21–24, offers open registration for investors and industry professionals. Events include panel sessions, networking lounges, gala dinners, and a charity golf tournament designed to encourage informal engagement among participants.

To register for the BEYOND Wealth Summit 2025: View the full schedule of BEYOND Wealth Summit speakers and events, and to request an invitation, please visit: www.beyondexpo.com/wealth-summit/.

To register for the Investor Pass at BEYOND Expo 2025, GPs and investors: Secure your Investor Pass now to take advantage of the early-bird offer. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and network with peers, LPs, and the broader tech and innovation community. Book your pass at www.beyondexpo.com/registration.

For more details or to register, visit www.beyondexpo.com.

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

Announcements

Ajman to launch new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre under 2026 law

Published

1 day ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Ajman has announced the establishment of a new Rental Dispute Resolution Centre, aimed at streamlining landlord-tenant disputes and strengthening stability in the emirate’s real estate sector.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, has issued Law No. (1) of 2026, formally creating the centre and replacing the existing rental disputes committee.

Clearer, Faster Rental Dispute Resolution

The new law introduces transparent and clearly defined mechanisms for reviewing and adjudicating rental disputes, with the objective of:

Protecting the rights of landlords and tenants
Enhancing confidence in Ajman’s property market
Supporting a stable and attractive investment environment

Jurisdiction and Scope

The specialised centre will have authority over all rental-related disputes between landlords and tenants, including:

Residential and commercial properties
Properties located within free zones

Cases will be handled using procedures aligned with recognised legal and judicial standards, ensuring fairness and consistency.

Boosting Market Stability

Officials said the new centre is designed to:

Speed up dispute resolution
Reduce litigation timelines
Ensure swift and effective justice

The move is expected to contribute to social and economic stability in Ajman’s leasing and real estate sector, while reinforcing investor confidence.

Business

Your face or palm could soon pay for purchases in the UAE

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Paying for everyday services in the UAE could soon be as simple as showing your face or palm.

The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has introduced the region’s first biometric payment solution, allowing users to make payments using facial recognition or palm biometrics, without cards, cash, or mobile phones.

The new system is currently being tested in a pilot phase at the Dubai Land Department, where customers authenticate payments through biometric scans in a controlled environment.

How Biometric Payments Work

The pilot enables:

Payments using face or palm recognition
No need for physical cards or smartphones
Faster, more secure transactions

The initiative is part of the CBUAE Sandbox Programme and Innovation Hub at the Emirates Institute of Finance, developed in collaboration with Network International and powered by PopID.

Focus on Security and User Experience

The Central Bank said the pilot is designed to assess security, efficiency, and operational readiness before any wider rollout. No timeline has yet been announced for expanding the system beyond the testing phase.

CBUAE officials say biometric payments could significantly enhance transaction security while improving customer convenience. Industry leaders also expect biometric technology to play a growing role in digital commerce and cashless payments globally.

A Step Towards Cashless Payments

The pilot reflects the UAE’s broader push towards financial innovation, smart services, and cashless payment systems, positioning the country at the forefront of next-generation payment technology in the region.

Announcements

Dubai launches global challenge to build the world’s first fully robotic villa

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2026

Michael Gomes

Spread the love

Dubai Municipality has launched a global challenge to construct the world’s first residential villa built entirely using robotic construction systems, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global testbed for advanced building technologies.

The project will be delivered by a consortium of more than 25 local and international technology companies and academic institutions, led by Dubai Municipality. Officials say the initiative aims to develop scalable, next-generation construction models that boost productivity, sustainability, and quality.

The announcement was made during the launch of 04 ConTech Valley, Dubai’s new Construction Innovation and Research Centre, developed in partnership with Expo City Dubai.

Global ConTech Momentum

At the event, Dubai Municipality also unveiled the Global ConTech Report, which projects that global construction technology investment will exceed $30 billion by 2033, growing at 17.5% annually.

Key findings highlight:

Labour shortages are a major global challenge
Rising investment in robotics and additive manufacturing
Rapid adoption of AI, robotics, prefabrication, and infrastructure technologies

Building a Stronger Innovation Ecosystem

Dubai Municipality also launched the ConTech Working Group, in collaboration with Dubai Chambers, bringing together government, developers, contractors, investors, researchers, and tech firms to accelerate innovation across the sector.

70–70 Strategy for 2030

Dubai also launched the 70–70 Strategy, aiming to shift 70% of construction to off-site manufacturing and achieve 70% factory automation by 2030, driving higher efficiency and sustainability.