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The Next Step: The Strategic Development of Islamic Social and Sustainable Finance
The nexus of UK Islamic finance and the path to COP28 — what role should the UK government and financial institutions be playing? How do we further encourage UK Islamic financial institutions to develop Shariah compliant social and sustainable products, including mortgages? Adopting climate risk ratings and external review — what more can companies and financial institutions do to measure climate risk, while developing credible strategies to mitigate such risks? What is UK Islamic finance’s role in innovative initiatives such as the global market for voluntary carbon credits? With carbon credits being recognized as Halal, what financial structures could fossil fuel-dependent OIC countries use to raise financing? How do thriving sectors such as the European hydrogen market secure access to…
Positioning the UK as a Leader in Ethical and Shariah Compliant Asset and Investment Management
Does the UK still enjoy a competitive advantage in the facilitation of ethically and socially responsible investment management? Where and how do faith-based investment solutions play a role in today’s UK market? What are recent innovations in Islamic investment products based on assets such as gold, and what potential do such innovations offer? What is the continuing role of Shariah compliant fintech in the development of investment management solutions? How will the development of fully Shariah compliant ISAs [individual savings accounts] influence the UK investment management sector? How do systematic tilts in portfolio allocation as a result of Shariah screens affect how ESG integration is approached? How are UK investors encouraging portfolio companies to consider and manage long-term climate-related risk…
Blueprint for the Future: An Ecosystem for the Successful Development and Distribution of Islamic Financial Services
How will the design, development and distribution of digital Islamic financial services continue to evolve in the near term? How important are regulatory frameworks in creating an environment for the enhancement of the financial services sector’s digital infrastructure? How can digital Islamic financial offerings be effectively scaled, and how is technology helping deliver financial products to underserved and untapped segments such as the young, SMEs and B2B markets? Finally, is a new, technology-driven banking model based on simpler, customer-centric services a reality? We ask a respected panel. Moderator: Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news Panelists: Areeb Siddiqui, Founder and CEO, Kestrl Lawrence Oliver, Executive Director, Deputy CEO, DDCAP Group Rafiza Ghazali, Director, Digital Banking, KAF Investment Bank…
Shariah Compliant Direct Investment, Real Estate, Private Equity and Alternative Assets — Cross-Border Opportunities
The UK as an investment destination for Shariah compliant direct investment – an update of active sectors and activities. What is the continued role and scale of Shariah compliant real estate assets in the UK? How do we position the UK as a center for originating alternative asset classes, and what opportunities are on offer? Structuring co-investments between domestic UK investors with international Shariah compliant investors — the potential for real estate and direct investment transactions. Building on the success of the Battersea redevelopment: structuring deals that incorporate elements of real estate, capital markets and cross-border investment. With Tawarruq enjoying a privileged tax position for cross-border UK investment, is it now a funding structure of choice? Moderator: Mike Tirman, Partner,…
Bespoke Tailoring in the UK — Developing Innovative Islamic Structured Finance Solutions
The UK achieved several firsts, including the first Sukuk issuance backed by an export credit agency. What was the legacy of this transaction for UK Islamic financial services? How can the UK fully leverage on its reputation for innovative structured financial products and services and cement its position as an arranging center for international Shariah compliant transactions? Assessing the potential for Shariah compliant securitization in the UK market — identifying suitable underlying assets and employing innovative structures. Does the UK regulatory and tax environment still require modification for Islamic capital markets and structured finance activities? Can structures such as Tawarruq and Wakalah be further deployed in Shariah compliant capital-raising? Examining further innovation in Shariah compliant structured products and where they…
UK Islamic Finance’s Comparative Advantage — Developing Financial Architecture to Ensure Continued Competitiveness
How do we collectively ensure the continued development of UK financial architecture as a platform for the creation and support of new Islamic financial services and Halal economy-focused businesses? How does the UK build on its competitiveness as a global Islamic finance hub and a center for regulatory and legislative developments for Islamic fintech? How can Islamic finance in the UK help develop public/private sector funding for SMEs, start-ups and early-stage businesses? How do we encourage the expansion of core Islamic retail financial services, including extending savings options, pension and Takaful solutions, and student financing schemes? Would UK Islamic finance benefit from the development of specific alternative finance legislation, and if so, what form would this take? Would the sector…
Keynote Address
Lord Johnson, Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade
Welcome Address
Alderman Vincent Keaveny, Representative of the Lord Mayor of the City of London
African Takaful and Non-Interest Finance (ATNIF) Conference
The African Takaful and Non-Interest Finance (ATNIF) Conference is hosted and organized by Noor Takaful Insurance Limited. The Conference aims to bring together stakeholders from various industries, sectors, and regions across Africa to discuss and deliberate on Leveraging Technology to Build on the Opportunities of Takaful and Islamic Finance. The conference aims to foster dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge sharing to unlock the full potential of technology in advancing Takaful and Islamic Finance in Africa while addressing the specific challenges and opportunities faced in the region.
Funding the Future: Islamic Sustainable Finance and Investment
What does the transition to green and sustainable financing potentially mean for Omani issuers, and how will Islamic structures play a meaningful role in the shift? What opportunities are there for important domestic sectors such as aviation, oil and gas and other asset-heavy industries to adopt sustainable fundraising programs? What is the potential for private sector financing of green infrastructure projects in Oman? How market friendly is the Omani regulatory framework for sustainable finance and are market participants being encouraged to develop effective sustainability frameworks? Finally, how can Omani financial institutions develop effective Islamic sustainable investment products, satisfying the requirements of a range of savers and investors. Moderator: Suleman Muhammad, Head of Islamic Products and Segments, Muzn Islamic Banking Panelists:…
Digitalization and the Evolution of Omani Islamic Financial Services
Identifying and evaluating key governmental and private sector initiatives designed to modernize and digitally transform the national economy, with a focus on Islamic financial services and digital assets. What measures would assist domestic Islamic banks in the further development of Islamic digital and crypto retail, wealth management, Takaful and pension offerings in Oman? How are regulator-fostered sandboxes contributing to the development and distribution of such products? How have efforts to recognise and regulate Islamic crowdfunding platforms created opportunities for the joint ownership of Shariah compliant assets and investment projects? Does Blockchain have a role in crowd and venture funding? How will the vital SME sector benefit from the new platforms and above initiatives? What role do DeFi, NFTs, crypto, tokenisation…
Building a Nation: Funding National Development through Islamic Finance
With Islamic real estate finance well established in the Sultanate, what is the scope for complex project and asset financing in Oman via Shariah compliant structures? Do Islamic products effectively lend themselves to fund public-private partnerships for the development of infrastructure and large-scale projects? What role should Islamic banks and venture capital play in this important activity, and what does the diminishing Musharakah structure offer? How will draft Sukuk and bond regulations further improve and standardize rules governing the issuance of Sukuk? Will regulations pave the way for the incorporation of innovative structures such as Waqf? With significant domestic institutions successfully accessing the Islamic finance market, what is the potential for other notable issuers? Finally, what funding options do Sukuk…