Browse Archives
Opportunities for Oman: The Next Stage of Development for Islamic Banking, Capital Markets and Takaful
Through a select group of senior market participants, we review recent developments in Omani Islamic banking, finance, Takaful and investment and ask if expectations have been matched, exceeded or otherwise. We examine industry consolidation and assess the efficacy of various operational models for Islamic banks — stand-alone and windows — while at the same time examining pressing issues such as liquidity management as part of the Sultanate’s Islamic Banking Regulatory Framework. We also discuss what a deposit insurance scheme would look like in Oman and assess what can be learned from other Islamic finance centers that have successfully implemented such schemes. Moderator: Jawad Ali, Managing Partner – ME Offices, King & Spalding Panelists: Ahmed Al Mamari, Vice-President, Insurance Sector, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate…
Presentation: Gold – Opportunities for Financial Innovation
Recent Shariah rulings have provided opportunities for products based around Gold. We take a detailed look at this interesting and innovative area. Andrew Naylor, Director, Central Banks and Public Policy, World Gold Council
SRI and Social Entrepreneurship: What’s on the Cards for Europe?
Distinguishing between SRI and social entrepreneurship investment and how these sectors can work together to expand their appeal and influence? Who and what is driving the SRI and social entrepreneurship sector? What new products and funds are likely to surface as SRI continues to evolve? Islamic & ethical investing: What more needs to be done to promote Islamic as ethical investing to broaden its appeal? What is the investment mandate for ESG and SRI investors and will this change over time? A review of significant transactions in social impact financing and socially responsible investments Moderator: Lauren McAughtry – Group Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news Panelists: Annemarie Arens – General Manager, LuxFLAG, Luxembourg Kamran Sattar – Chief Executive Officer & Co-founder,…
Opening Bell: Leading Corporates Discuss Funding and Capital-Raising Options
We examine funding in key sectors and industries and ask what represents effective corporate finance and capital-raising strategies across multiproduct areas and markets. What do corporates want and what can Islamic finance offer? How can the Malaysian GLC sector further employ and benefit from Islamic funding options? We ask a high-level panel to share their expertise and views. Moderator: Abdulkader Thomas, CEO, SHAPE Knowledge Services Panelists: Faridah Bakar Ali, CFO, Khazanah Nasional Mohamed Nazri Omar, Managing Director/CEO, Danajamin Nasional Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, Senior Managing Director and Deputy CEO, CIMB Islamic Pavan Kaur, General Manager, Group Finance and Treasury, UMW Group Simon Chen, Vice-President – Senior Analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Investors Service
Issuer’s Perspectives
Moderator: Amri Sofian, Chief Corporate and Investment Officer, Danajamin Nasional Panelists: Richard Ong, Executive Director, Malaysia Steel Works Sonny Ho, Founder and Managing Director, Belleview Group Belleview Group
Growing Mortgage Finance and Home Ownership in Saudi Arabia and Exploring the Role of Islamic Finance
We examine the financing of the Kingdom’s ambitious housing program through the growth and development of the domestic mortgage market. What needs to be done to further drive home ownership in the Kingdom and what else does the mortgage ecosystem require? What is the latest assessment of Saudi Arabian Mortgage Laws and where does Islamic finance play a role? We analyse the potential for real estate securitization and asset-backed Sukuk in Saudi and what the market needs for this to move forward including structures and regulation. Moderator: John Sandwick, General Manager, Safa Investment Services Panelists: Abdulelah Saleh Al-Shaikh, CEO, Saudi Home Loans Azizi Ali, Senior Vice-President, Business and Product Development, Cagamas (National Mortgage Corporation of Malaysia) Fabrice Susini, CEO, Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company …
Using Privatization and Public-Private Partnerships to Finance Infrastructure Development in The Kingdom
We examine the privatization program in the Kingdom and address its objectives and challenges. We look at opportunities in key sectors and ask what role financial institutions can play in the PPP/BOT process – what has been done to date, what is expected from bank financing and capital markets and what can be learnt from overseas? We discuss the National Centre for Privatisation and ask what the private sector and Islamic finance can offer in the development of the Kingdom’s important infrastructure and social welfare projects and the long-term benefit of the Saudi people. Moderator: Shibeer Ahmed, Partner, Winston & Strawn Panelists: Abdulkader Thomas, CEO, SHAPE Knowledge Services Faisal Mardam, Head of Structured Finance Division, Banque Saudi Fransi Mahmoud Abdel-Baky, Partner, Dentons
Drive and Disrupt: Digital Banking and Financial Technology in Oman and the GCC Region
We assess the latest developments in digital banking and fintech and analyze likely industry shifts, regulation and developments in product and delivery channels across a range of product areas. What does the advancement of technology and in particular, blockchain, mean for Islamic financial institutions in Oman and the Gulf region? Moderator: Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news Panelists: Ahmet Salim Bilgin, Founder, FinBrain Technologies Muhammad Kashif Zafar, Head of Islamic Banking Finance, Sohar Islamic Mughees Shaukat, Head, Islamic Finance, College of Banking and Financial Studies Salman Kabani, Head of Market Risk, Operational Risk and Strategy
Real Estate Investment and REITs in Southeast Asia: Opportunities for Islamic Investors
Through an expert panel we discuss the evolution of the real estate investment and REIT market in Southeast Asia. How has the REIT market performed, what can we expect in the coming year and what is current investor sentiment and appetite? We discuss the role of regulation, asset quality and diversification. We also analyze direct real estate investment and assess the opportunities on offer for Shariah compliant investors. Moderator: Nicholas Edmondes, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins Panelists: Abdullah Douleh, Vice-President and Head of Real Estate, Jadwa Investment Jana Sehnalova, CEO, La Française Forum Securities Jeyabalan Parasingam, Partner, Azimuth Global Partners Zulhilmy Kamaruddin, Director, Investment Banking, RHB Banking Group
Innovation in Islamic Investment Management: Waqf
We discuss the growing importance of revitalizing Waqf through the development and use of innovative capital market instruments. We examine how, through innovative products and services, we can further develop Waqf assets in order to facilitate growth in the Islamic investment and asset management industry, thereby promoting financial inclusion and social development. Moderator: Aida Othman, Director, ZICO Shariah Advisory Services Panelists: Aiza Azreen Ahmad, Director, Strategic Development, Boost eWallet Mohd Nazri Chik, Group Chief Shariah Officer, Bank Islam Dr Ridzwan Bakar, Professional Lecturer, Multimedia Universiti, Treasurer, International Waqf Action Council (iWaqf)
Sukuk, Capital Markets and Asset Management
Will the recent sovereign Sukuk enable the expansion of the Moroccan sovereign, sub-sovereign and private sector Sukuk market in support of the national development plan? What does the sovereign mean for the local market and what investment and liquidity management opportunities does it offer domestic Islamic banks? Through an expert panel we analyze product structures, the securitization regulatory framework, ratings, structuring issues and the use of SPVs in asset transfer and ownership. We also discuss the recent launch of the Moroccan Islamic Equity Index and discuss opportunities for local capital market participants and asset managers. Moderator: Zaineb Sefiani, Founder, Carrera Learning Panelists: Badr Benyoussef, Chief Business Development Officer, Casablanca Stock Exchange Monsif Ghaffouli, CIO, Wafa Gestion Noreddine Tahiri, CEO, AjarInvest Yassine Temli, Managing Partner, Maghreb…
Chairman’s Welcome
John Sandwick, General Manager, Safa Investment Service