Browse Archives

The Wider View: Influential Trends, Opportunities and Events

We ask a panel of leading analysts, commentators, investors and economists to provide us an insight into the growth of the Global Islamic Economy, diversification of GCC economies, geographical and region-specific insights, industry shifts and macro events and offer insight into how Islamic finance can manage and benefit from these opportunities. Moderator: Abdulkader Thomas – CEO, SHAPE Financial Panelists: Anita Yadav – Head of Fixed Income Research, Senior Director - Wholesale Banking, Emirates NBD Arvind Raman – Head of Financial Institutions, Middle East, Societe Generale Ivo Detelinov – Vice-President, Head of Private Equity Funds, Riyad Capital Sharif Eid – Senior Portfolio Manager, Global Sukuk and MENA Fixed Income, Franklin Templeton Investments Zeina Rizk – Director – Fixed Income Asset Management, Arqaam Capital

The Cryptocurrency Conundrum: Friend or foe? Fear or embrace?

We debate the key issues surrounding cryptocurrencies and discuss their role in the global Islamic finance industry. What is the potential for initial coin offerings and will asset-linked coins feature in the corporate fundraising process? Moderator: Khalid Howladar – Managing Director and Founder, Acreditus Panelists: Alan Laubsch – Founder and Chief Strategist, Blufolio Robin Lee – CEO, HelloGold Tobias Young – Head of Hydrocarbons, Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange

Changing Times: Islamic Finance 2.0

Technology has triggered a wave of change in the world of Islamic finance. We take a look at how fintech is altering consumer behavior, redefining financial services and how financial players are adapting to an evolving environment. Moderator: Vineeta Tan – Editor, Islamic Finance news Panelists: Ambareen Musa – Founder and CEO, Souqalmal Ashar Nazim – Managing Director, Finocracy Awad Kaidoo – CEO and co-founder, Ethis Finance Mohammed Kateeb – Group Chairman and CEO, Path Solutions

REDTalk: The Next Generation Islamic Finance Business Model

Presenter: Najmul Hussein Rassool – Co-founder and Director, Ethis Finance

Comparing Notes: From Financial Hubs to Fintech Hubs

Leading Islamic financial centers and Islamic fintech start-ups engage with each other on what makes a conducive Shariah fintech ecosystem, what measures are in place to attract start-ups, spur and support innovation among financial institutions. Moderator: Muneer Khan – Partner, Head of Middle East Financial Markets, Regulatory and International Islamic Finance, Simmons & Simmons Panelists: Bryony Travers – Head of Marketing and Communications, NOW Money Junaid Wahedna – CEO, Wahed Invest Thomas Hirschi – Executive Director, Banking and Insurance of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority, Abu Dhabi Global Market

Gold – All that Glitters

Gold has come to prominence of late, either as an underlying asset or an asset class in itself. We take a closer look at recent financial products structured on or around gold and ask if the upward trend is set to continue. Moderator: Mohammed Paracha – Partner, Head of Islamic Finance – Middle East and Africa, Norton Rose Fulbright Panelists: Andrew Naylor – Director, Central Banks and Public Policy, World Gold Council Bishr Shiblaq – Counsel, Head of Dubai Office, Arendt & Medernach Ismail Dadabhoy – Advisor to the Board and CEO, International Islamic Financial Market Meng-Chan Shu – Director of Business Development, Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange Robin Lee – CEO, HelloGold

Building Regulatory Frameworks in Islamic Finance

We ask a panel of senior representatives of regulators, standard-setting bodies and exchanges for their views on the evolution of regulatory frameworks for Islamic banking and finance. Moderator: Neil Miller – Global Head of Islamic Finance, Linklaters Panelists: Dr. Bello Lawal Danbatta – Secretary-General, IFSB Ijlal A Alvi – CEO, International Islamic Financial Market Peter Smith – Managing Director, Policy and Strategy, Dubai Financial Services Authority Syed Samar Hasnain – Executive Director-Development Finance Group, State Bank of Pakistan

Capital-Raising Roundtable

We ask a panel of market participants to reveal their thoughts and insights on raising capital through Islamic finance. What are the positives and what does the industry need to address to allow Islamic finance to truly compete with conventional? What are the risks in issuing and investing in Sukuk and how can these risks be addressed and managed? Moderator: Qasim Aslam – Partner, Head of Islamic Finance – Middle East, Dentons Panelists: Ahmad Tarmidzi Al-Muttaqi Mahmood – Executive Director and Group Head of Shariah, First Abu Dhabi Bank David Testa – Executive Director, DDCAP Group Gokul Mani – Head of Primary Markets – Middle East, Africa, India and London, Stock Exchange Group Onur Aksoy – Director, Debt and Structured Finance, Aktif Bank Sohail Zubairi – Projects Advisor, Dubai Islamic…

Mega Trends: Global and Regional Influencers for Islamic Finance and Investment

We examine and discuss key issues and themes influencing global Islamic finance and investment. What will offer opportunity and what will disrupt? Moderator: Khalid Howladar – Managing Director and Founder, Acreditus Panelists: Mohamed AlMutaweh – CEO and Board Member, Al Baraka Islamic Bank Najmul Hassan – Director of Financial Institution Development Department, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector Pankaj Gupta – Founding Partner and Co-CEO, Gulf Islamic Investment Salman Bajwa – Head of Asset Management, Emirates NBD Asset Management Yavar Moini – Financial Sector Expert, World Bank Group

Keynote Address

09:10 – 09:20 Keynote Address Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar – CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre