Yearly Archives: 2019
Environmental, Socially Responsible Investing and Islamic Investment: Opportunities for Development and Growth
We examine responsible investment in Asia and ask how ethical and Islamic finance can potentially become closer interlinked. We also discuss how Southeast Asia can grow its existing environmental, social and governance (ESG) niche among asset managers and owners and what role Islamic and ESG asset management can play toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. How can the industry overcome the relative scarcity of credible climate-related and low-carbon investment opportunities and what role do institutional investors play in the shift toward sustainable investments? Lastly, how can ESG risk, reward and impact be effectively measured and evaluated, and what benchmarks and tools are available? Moderator: Margie Ong, CEO, Thoughts in Gear Panelists: Alex Rowe, Portfolio Manager, Nomura Global Sustainable Equity, Nomura Asset…
Presentation: Corporations for Good – Democratizing Sustainability in Malaysia
Margie Ong, CEO, Thoughts in Gear
Financing Renewable, Responsible, Social and Sustainable Projects
What role does Islamic finance play in the funding of green, sustainable, social and responsible initiatives and how available are Islamic facilities for these projects in reality? Through an expert panel, we analyze project uses, product structures, rating and reporting issues and ask how Islamic financial products can provide effective funding for sustainable and environmentally responsible projects and initiatives in Southeast Asia. What of other important strategic sectors: healthcare, housing, education and agriculture? Moderator: Firoz Abdul Hamid, Advisor, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Panelists: Chairil Nazri Ahmad, Head of Sector – Energy and Facilities Management, UiTM Holdings Ernest Navaratnam, Group CEO, Cenergi SEA Juniza Zahari, Director, Debt and Capital Markets, Affin Hwang Investment Bank Rozani Osman, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, The World Bank Sid Kusuma, Senior Vice-President –…
Developing Sustainable Finance in Southeast Asia through Islamic Finance and Investment
Southeast Asia has the potential to become a global leader in the development and promotion of sustainable finance across a wide range of key sectors, including energy, agribusiness, healthcare and education. However, now is the time to push forward and build on existing achievements. What must governments, regulators and the private sector do to create effective responsible finance ecosystems and build toward the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals such as the alleviation of disease and reduction of global population displacement? What role can the regional Islamic finance industry play? Moderator: Prof Dr Obiyathulla Ismath Bacha, Board Member, Bank Kerjasama Rakyat Malaysia Panelists: Chortip Svetarundra, Director, Bond Department, Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand Hussam Sultan, Regional Head, Commercial and Transaction Banking (Islamic),…
Keynote Address
Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Deputy Chief Executive, Securities Commission Malaysia
Real Estate Finance and Investment in the UK and Europe
We discuss the current environment in the UK and Western Europe for real estate investment and explore the continuing role played by Islamic finance. What are the latest trends, structures, themes and opportunities? We also assess the role technology plays and predict where disruption will be seen. Moderator: Sarah Gooden, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins Panelists: Asal Saghari, Counsel, King & Spalding Hakan Ozyon, Senior Portfolio Manager, Global Ethical Fund Mohamed Isarti, Head of Asset Management Europe, Wafra Capital Partners Philip Churchill, Founder and Managing Partner, 90 North Real Estate Partners Stuart Jarvis, Investment Director, Rosette Merchant Bank Trevor Norman, Director, VG Trust & Corporate Services
Gold – Recent Market Developments and Outlook for the Gold Market
Moderator: Jaspar Crawley, Director, Institutional Investment, World Gold Council Panelists: John Durham, Manager – Depository, Gold Corporation, The Perth Mint Philip Newman, Director, Metals Focus
Waqf – Uses and Applications
What is Waqf? How are Waqf typically structured, and what are the main variations? What are the challenges that Waqf face in making investments and accessing the financial markets? What solutions might be available? Moderator: Shibeer Ahmed, Partner, Winston & Strawn Panelists: Farmida Bi, Chair, Europe, Middle East and Asia, Norton Rose Fulbright Hisham Daftedar, Senior Advisor, International Islamic Institute of Waqf Sami Salman, Managing Director, International Islamic Institute of Waqf
Presentation: Exporting the UK Islamic Finance Centre of Excellence – English Common Law as the Jurisdictional Basis for the AIFC Governing Law
Sheikh Bilal Khan, Chief Islamic Finance Officer, Astana International Financial Centre
Islamic Finance and Environmental, Humanitarian and Socially Responsible Investment: Opportunities for Development and Growth
With SRI regulatory frameworks in place, the rise of stewardship, assets available – and in many cases fully Shariah compliant – responsible finance and investment has a bright future. Through an expert panel we examine responsible, humanitarian, environmental and green finance in Europe and ask how ethical and Islamic finance can become closer interlinked. We also discuss how Europe can grow its existing ESG niche among asset managers and owners and what role Islamic and ESG asset management can play towards achieving humanitarian and Sustainable Development Goals. Do green bonds and Sukuk offer viable long-term investments and how can the industry address the relative scarcity of credible climate related and socially responsible investment opportunities? Moderator: Lauren McAughtry, Contributing Editor, Islamic Finance…
Power Capital: Shariah Compliant Funding and Capital-Raising
We cast a critical eye over the Islamic capital markets in Europe. Where’s the supply coming from and what can we expect in the coming year? We also examine how technology - particularly AI and big data - are disrupting how money is raised and managed. Moderator: Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Vice-President – Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Investor Service Panelist: Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, Senior Managing Director and Deputy CEO, CIMB Islamic Najib Al Aswad, Director, IFAAS Robin Lee, CEO, HelloGold Sharjil Ahmed, Co-Founder, Cykube
Presentation: Islamic Finance in France and Continental Europe: The Best Time is Now
France has the largest Muslim community in Europe which makes it a significant market for the Islamic economy. While Muslims are well served in most Islamic economic sectors such as Halal food, modest fashion, ethical travels and Islamic education, Islamic finance is one sector in which Muslims globally are still underserved despite high demand. With the boom of technology in financial services on one hand, and the unsteady economic environment on the other, we explore how it is now the best time to create synergies and build momentum. Amine Nait Daoud, Director-General, 570easi