IFN OnAir: Recent Episodes
IFN Islamic Finance news
Islamic Finance News (IFN) OnAir will provide you with the latest insight into the world of Islamic banking & finance from the world's leading industry provider. Visit our website at www.islamicfinancenews.com for more information
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Desislava Radeva, Executive Director, Structured Export Finance at Standard Chartered, on structuring Uzbekistan's first commodity Murabahah facility, the role of risk mitigation in frontier markets, collaboration between commercial banks and multilateral institutions, and the future of Islamic trade and structured finance.
In this episode, Aminah Farid speaks with Bashar Al Natoor, global head of Islamic finance at Fitch Ratings, on the geopolitical resilience of the Sukuk market, the significance of tokenization, genuine ESG impact versus greenwashing, the challenges of cross-border Shariah standardization and the markets best positioned to drive the next phase of global Islamic finance growth.
In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with John Gartchie Gatsi, adviser to the governor on non-interest banking at the Bank of Ghana, about the implementation of Ghana's non-interest banking guidelines, prospects for Sukuk and Takaful and the progress toward licensing the country's first Islamic banking institutions.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Aymen Kasem, Division Manager of Trade Development at the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, on intra-OIC trade, SME participation, digitalization and trade development as a driver of regional integration
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Jan, General Manager of Treasury at the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation, on trade finance priorities, resource mobilization, strategic partnerships and advancing regional integration across OIC markets
A concise assessment of the Shariah-compliant investment and wealth management solutions available to North American investors: ETFs, mutual funds, REITs, SMAs and model portfolios. The panel will evaluate where products meet investor needs on performance, diversification and cost, and where under-served areas remain, including income, alternatives and thematic exposures. Discussion will highlight the evolving role of wealth managers and advisers, alongside growing demand for broader financial solutions, including savings and home financing.
Moderator:
Tariq Al Rifai, Advisor, Economic Policy
Panelists:
Ahmad Quqa, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Crescent Private Wealth
Aijaz Hussain, Executive Vice President of Sales & Director, UIF Corporation
Elias Scheker Da Silva, Portfolio Manager – Global Fixed Income, Wafra
Dr Mohamad Sawwaf, Founder and CEO, Manzil
Saad Malik, CEO & Co-founder, Zoya Finance
We examine how fintech, digital RIAs, and wealth-tech apps are reshaping access to Shariah-compliant investments in North America. Panellists will address the practical state of tokenisation in real estate, private credit, and fund structures, as well as the evolving role of P2P and crowdfunding platforms. The conversation will address investor-protection and Shariah-governance considerations, and outline regulatory developments that could support responsible, scalable digital Islamic investing across the US and Canada.
Moderator:
Ishmam Ahmed, Managing Director, Hoya Advisory
Panelists:
Fahad Siddiqui, Founder & CEO, Mabrook
Lawrence Oliver, Executive Director, Deputy CEO, DDCAP Group/ETHOS AFP
Michal Selbka, Director – DeFi, Digital Assets & Tokenization North America, S&P Global Ratings
Souhayl Maronesy, Founder and CEO, EdificeX
Moderator:
Irshad Rasheed, President, Stearns Salaam Bank
Panelists:
Aamir Rehman, Chair, Innate Capital Partners
Aijaz Hussain, Executive Vice President of Sales & Director, UIF Corporation
Ahmad Quqa, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Crescent Private Wealth
Monem Salam, Executive Vice President, Director, and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital
Mushfique Shams Billah, Chair of Private Credit Team & Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
This session explores the opportunities and constraints for Shariah-compliant investing across US private markets, including private credit, venture, growth equity, real assets, and real estate. Speakers will consider structuring approaches, liquidity expectations, governance issues, and how managers are adapting Shariah requirements to modern private-market practices. The panel will also examine where genuine deal flow exists, the current presence of US-domiciled Islamic private-market vehicles, and how tokenisation may broaden investor access to alternatives.
Moderator:
Mushfique Shams Billah, Chair of Private Credit Team & Partner, Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Panelists:
Aamir Rehman, Chair, Innate Capital Partners
Dr Amjad Hammad, Founder and Managing Partner, Baraka Prosperity Partners
Charles Stackhouse, Senior Vice President, JA Mitsui Capital Corporation
Shakeel Adli, Founder and CEO, Zunikh
Thomas Polson, General Partner, Polson Real Assets
From a high-level perspective, we assess the state of Shariah-compliant investment management in North America and how it is adapting to the needs of a digital-first Muslim investor base. Discussion will focus on how ETFs, SMAs, model portfolios, and fintech platforms are shaping product design, distribution, and investor education. Panellists will assess how Islamic strategies are being positioned within the broader values-based investing landscape, where innovation is happening, and what gaps still limit scaling across RIAs, family offices, and wealth-tech channels.
Moderator:
Dr Ehab Elsonbaty, Partner, DLA Piper
Panelists:
Junaid Wahedna, Founder and Chairman, Wahed Invest
Kamal Solaiman, CEO and Managing Partner, Sinbad Capital
Professor M Kabir Hassan, Professor of Finance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans
Monem Salam, Executive Vice President, Director, and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital
Zeshan Gondal, Senior Vice President, Stearns Salaam Bank
Professor M Kabir Hassan, Professor of Finance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of New Orleans
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Moutaz Abojeib, CEO of IFAAS, on emerging Islamic finance markets, regulatory development, Islamic climate finance and opportunities for industry growth
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Zishan Iqbal, Manager for Asia Region in the Business Development Department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on trade and investment opportunities in Asia, risk mitigation and strengthening connectivity between Asian and OIC markets
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Yasser Madani Alaki, Director of the Business Development Department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), on ICIEC’s growth strategy, infrastructure financing opportunities, partnerships and future initiatives
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Mohamud Hussein Khalif, Director of the Underwriting Operations Department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on geopolitical risks, underwriting trends, political risk insurance and the outlook for global trade and investment
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Samir, Group Treasury Manager at Elsewedy Electric, on infrastructure exports, risk mitigation, trade finance and the role of insurance solutions in supporting expansion into developing markets
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Boubacar Correa, Board Director and Aminata Faye Seck, CEO of Banque Islamique du Senegal, on financial inclusion, SME financing, growth strategy and supporting regional development in West Africa
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ousseni Ilboudo, Group Head of Islamic Finance at Coris Holding, on Islamic finance growth in West Africa, financial inclusion, SME financing and regional economic integration
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Azim Rali, Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Communications at Amana Bank and Secretary at OrphanCare Trust, on Islamic social finance, child welfare initiatives, Waqf and sustainable social impact
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Sujithav Sarangi, Executive Director at Standard Chartered, on the award-winning commodity Murabahah facility for Agrobank, Islamic finance development in Uzbekistan, Shariah compliant liquidity solutions and regional integration
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Mohamad Safri Hamid, CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation, on diversifying the IILM's asset base, expanding its Sukuk program and supporting global Islamic liquidity management
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Nurym Ayazbayev, Executive Director of the Directorate of Lending to Financial Institutions at the Eurasian Development Bank, on Islamic finance in Central Asia, the bank's Islamic window and Sukuk plans
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Mary Kamel, Executive Director of the Foreign Trade Training Centre, on the STEP program, SME export development, capacity building and strengthening intra-OIC trade
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Anar Yusufzada, Member of the Board of the Alternative Banking Council (ABC); Nariman Imranov, Business Development Manager at ABC; and Gorkhmaz Aghayev, Chairman of the ABC, on Azerbaijan's Islamic finance development, SME financing, Sukuk opportunities and regional integration
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Eralp Delikkaya, Financial Institutions Director at Destek Bank, on participation banking opportunities in Turkiye, funding diversification, international partnerships and Islamic finance
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Madina Yerzhanova, Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Export Credit Agency of Kazakhstan, on cooperation with ICIEC, export development, regional integration and expanding trade across OIC markets
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Affendi Rashdi, Director General of Labuan Financial Services Authority, on the Awqaf Free Zones initiative, the modernization of Waqf assets, Labuan's role in Islamic finance and sustainable development financing
In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Mohamud Hussein Khalif, director of the underwriting operations department at the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), about the impact of geopolitical uncertainty on political risk and export credit insurance demand, evolving underwriting practices and the outlook for global trade and investment across ICIEC member countries
In this episode, Aminah Farid speaks with officials from the Ugandan government and financial regulators on how Uganda is structuring its debut sovereign Sukuk to manage debt sustainability, the progress of the Standard Gauge Railway project and the role of Islamic finance in broadening the country's infrastructure financing mix.
Irshad Rasheed, a founding board member of Islamic Finance Trade Association of North America, gives IFN an exclusive first look into the country’s first industry-wide trade association, which already has a healthy pipeline of initiatives including the launching of Sukuk and a Shariah compliant education savings plan.
We explore how Uzbekistan’s accelerating digital transformation can drive Islamic finance adoption. We discuss digital onboarding, blockchain applications, fintech partnerships, and how the national payments ecosystem can support scalable Shariah-compliant banking and Takaful solutions.
Moderator:
Dr Adnan Aziz, Managing Director, Inclusive Resource Management
Panelists:
Alkhazur Tazbaev, Shariah Advisor, Zayed Fund for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Irodakhon Oripova, Project Manager, Mezon Kengashi
Murod Khusanov, Founder and Chair, BetterFuture Group
Okan Ünverdi, Chief Operating Officer, Mobven
Otabek Aliaskarov, Member of Expert Council, Fintech Association of Uzbekistan
Otabek Nasirov, Chairman, Central Asian Fintech Association
We review the regulatory enablers for funds and asset management, prospects for Shariah-compliant collective investment schemes, demand from institutional and retail investors, and the potential for partnerships with regional asset managers as Uzbekistan develops its capital markets.
Moderator:
Hayotjon Azimov, Head of Advisory, Al Muamalat Consulting
Panelists:
Hakan Ozyon, Group Chief Executive Officer, Hejaz Financial Services
Leah Weldon-Evans, Head of Islamic Capital Markets and Structuring, Simmons & Simmons Middle East
Dr Indra Gunawan, Chief Investment Officer and Member of Executive Board, Badan Pengelola Keuangan Haji
Munir Yakubov, CEO and Founder, Portfolio Investments
Muzaffarjon Nizamidinov, Senior Principal, Line of Finance, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector
A regional deep dive exploring how Uzbekistan can anchor an Islamic investment and capital-raising corridor across Central Asia. The session highlights opportunities for regional cross-border trade and capital flows, infrastructure financing, investment partnerships, and the policy measures needed to elevate Uzbekistan’s competitiveness as an Islamic finance and capital market hub in the New Asia economic landscape.
Moderator:
Dr Adnan Aziz, Managing Director, Inclusive Resource Management
Panelists:
Alisher Djumanov, Managing Partner, AD Wealth
Diyor Isroilov, Head of Investor Center Coordination Unit, Ministry of Investment, Industry
and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan
James Sadler, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Structured Finance, Banking and Corporate Finance, Oman Investment Bank
Leah Weldon-Evans, Head of Islamic Capital Markets and Structuring, Simmons & Simmons Middle East
Ulan Abylgaziev, Division Manager, Line of Finance Division, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector
We examine the next phase of Uzbekistan’s Islamic finance agenda, including regulator-driven ecosystem development, the integration of international Shariah and prudential standards, capacity-building priorities, and the active role of state-owned enterprises and corporates in establishing a sustainable industry foundation.
Moderator:
Alisher Djumanov, Managing Partner, AD Wealth
Panelists:
Bakhrom Numonov, Council Chairman, Association of Islamic Finance & Takaful
Bashar Al-Natoor, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, Fitch Ratings
Bekhruzbek Ochilov, Investment Banking Director, ALKES
Associate Professor Dr Gapur Oziev, Managing Director, IKIACADMY
Mukhtar Umarov, Chairman, Assembly of Economy of Uzbekistan
Saibjan Khudayberdiyev, Head of Capital Market Development Department, National Agency for Prospective Projects of the Republic of Uzbekistan
We explore how Indonesia can evolve its investment sector beyond existing models to become a regional hub for Shariah-compliant funds and private equity. We discuss the need for product innovation, including new fund structures, private market strategies and diversified asset classes, to attract global Islamic capital. We also examine how technology, regulatory support, collaboration and ESG integration can strengthen market access, transparency and competitiveness.
Moderator:
Kautsar Primadi Nurahmad, Vice Director, Corporate Secretary, Indonesia Stock Exchange
Panelists:
Abdulhaq Mohammed, Singapore Managing Partner and Head of Asia, Trowers & Hamlins
Arief Subekti, Executive Vice President, Head of Shariah Business, PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero)
Dr Bilal Ilhan, County Advisor – Investment and Finance Office, Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye
Darius Nass, Associate Director, Global Equity Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Dr Indra Gunawan, Chief Investment Officer and Member of Executive Board, Badan Pengelola Keuangan Haji
Dr Nabil Hani Qaddumi, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Taawon
Dr Tareq Emtairah, Director General, Taawon
We examine the development of Islamic capital markets across ASEAN and the shared challenge of transforming regional scale and demand into sustained issuance, liquidity, and market depth. The discussion will explore opportunities and constraints in corporate sukuk and Shariah-compliant capital raising across ASEAN markets, including issuer readiness, pricing dynamics, cross-border structures, and secondary market participation.
We discuss how innovation, fintech and regulatory collaboration can broaden the issuer base, strengthen investor confidence and support a more resilient Islamic capital markets ecosystem.
Moderator:
Rafiza Ghazali, Managing Director, Consumer Banking, Fasset
Panelists:
Boniarga Mangiring, Investment Specialist, Credit Guarantee and Investment Facility
Dimas Yusuf, Investment Director, Sucor Asset Management
Dien Sukmarini, Senior Assistant Director of Capital Markets and Islamic Capital Market Development Directorate, Financial Services Authority (OJK)
Irwan Abdalloh, Senior Vice Director, Head of Islamic Capital Market Division, Indonesia Stock Exchange
Dr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad, Regional Chief Representative, DDCAP Group™
Through an expert panel, we explore Indonesia’s Islamic finance landscape, spanning banking, capital markets, Takaful, social finance and MSME financing. We examine policy and regulatory priorities shaping a resilient Shariah-compliant ecosystem, alongside strategies to expand financial inclusion and improve access to finance for MSM enterprises. We discuss the growing role of Islamic fintech, collaboration among regulators, institutions
Moderator:
Nicholas Edmondes, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Anna Kristanty, Senior Vice President of International & Financial Institution Group, PT Bank Syariah Indonesia
Chong Jun Wong, Assistant Vice President – Analyst, Financial Institution Group, Moody’s Ratings
Eko Adi Irianto, Deputy Director, Department of Islamic Economy and Finance, Bank Indonesia
Mochamad Imron, Senior Analyst, the Directorate of Banking, Financial Market and Other Financing Development, Directorate General of Stability and Financial Sector Development, Ministry of Finance Republic of Indonesia
Rahman Hakim, Deputy Director – Islamic Banking Directorate – Shariah Banking Development and Regulation, Financial Services Authority (OJK)
Henry Rialdi, Head of Department of Capital Market Regulation and Development, Financial Services Authority (OJK)
In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Dr Nabil Qaddumi, the chairman of Taawon, Dr Tareq Emtairah, the director-general of Taawon and Amer Shomali, the director-general of The Palestinian Museum, about the Noor Gaza Orphan Care program, long-term Islamic social finance structures and the role of cultural preservation and digital archiving in supporting Palestinian resilience efforts.
In this episode, Andrei Ugarov, the head of credit advisory at Impact46, talks to IFN editor Nessreen Tamano about what is driving the shift in Saudi Arabia’s Sukuk market and how recent landmark issuances are shaping future deals.
This IFN Podcast episode hosted by Nessreen Tamano features Fawad Khan, the managing director for the Middle East at Fasanara Capital, and looks at how Islamic fintech in the GCC region is evolving.
Usama Ehsan, a partner at Safwa Advisory and Shariah board member at Bank Alfalah, speaks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about the opportunities and challenges in scaling Pakistan’s Islamic finance industry globally.
In this IFN Podcast episode, Dr Amjad Hammad, the founder and CEO of Baraka Prosperity Partners, talks to IFN Editor Nessreen Tamano about the potential of healthcare infrastructure as an emerging class for Islamic investors.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 28th February – 6th March 2026.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 21st – 27th February 2026.
In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Iskandar Tursunov, the CEO and Founder of Al Muamalat Consulting, about Uzbekistan’s newly approved Islamic banking law, Sukuk developments, fintech innovation, international standard-setting partnerships and the country’s ambition to become a leading Islamic finance hub in Central Asia
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 14th-20th February 2026.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 7th–13th February 2026.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 31st January – 6th February 2026.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 24th – 30th January 2026.
In this episode, Aminah Farid speaks with Shahira Johan, senior financial sector specialist at the World Bank and co-author of the Islamic Finance and Climate Agenda report, on how Islamic finance can support climate action, scale sustainable instruments and build climate-resilient communities across OIC economies.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 10th – 16th January 2026.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 3rd – 9th January 2026.
In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Mohamad Safri Hamid, the CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM), about IILM’s upsized Sukuk program, rising global demand for Shariah compliant liquidity instruments, the growth of its primary dealer network and its role in addressing cross-border Islamic liquidity gaps.
Moderator:
Faezah Abdullah, Head of Shariah, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia
Panelists:
Dr Sheikh Nizam Yaquby, Chairman Global Shariah Supervisory Committee, Standard Chartered Bank & Chairperson of Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Dato’ Prof. Dr Ashraf Md Hashim, Internal Shariah Supervision Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank UAE
Dr Ahcene Lahsasna, Chairman Shariah Committee, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia & Chairman Internal Shariah Supervision Committee, Standard Chartered Bank UAE
Dr Mufti Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Dr Hakimah Yaacob, Shariah Committee Member, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 29th November – 5th December 2025.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 22nd – 28th November 2025.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 15th – 21st November 2025.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 8th – 14th November 2025.
In this episode, IFN journalist Radhika Das speaks with Jesmond Gatt, the chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA), and Clare Farrugia, the head of strategy, policy and innovation at the MFSA, on Malta’s plans to introduce a dedicated Sukuk framework, a first for the jurisdiction. The discussion explores the MFSA’s objectives, Shariah governance measures and Malta’s vision to position itself as a European gateway for Islamic finance.
Pakistan’s US$1.9 trillion real estate market has long operated on cash and opacity. Now, a decade after the nation launched its first Islamic REIT, the sector is entering a new phase of regulation and digital reform that could transform how Pakistanis own property, with Shariah structures leading the way. Naeem Illyas Khanani, CEO of DigiEstate and Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management’s audit chairman discusses with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan how the country’s real estate market is at an inflection point.
Adnan Fasih, Group Head, Islamic Banking, Habib Bank AG Zurich
Zaid Naveed, Head Business Strategy and Market Intelligence, Habib Bank AG Zurich
We explore the evolving landscape of Islamic investment management in Pakistan—from shifting asset allocation trends to the rise of mutual funds, ETFs, and REITs. What progress has been made in product innovation and investor access, and how effectively has Islamic asset management been positioned? Join us as we assess the next steps needed to scale Islamic investment and wealth management solutions across the country.
Moderator:
Rukhsana Narejo, Chief Treasury and Alternate Investments, Raqami Islamic
Panelists:
Imtiaz Gadar, Chief Executive, Al Meezan Investment Management Limited
Nadir Rahman, CEO, Faysal Funds
Tariq Naseem, Head of Islamic Finance Department, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
Tariq Sultan, Chief Business Development Officer and COO, Mahaana Wealth
Zeeshan Rehman Khattak, Commissioner – Specialized Companies Division, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan
Moderator:
Azhar Aslam, Head Islamic Banking, Pakistan, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Panelists:
Dr Mufti Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Dr Mufti Muhammad Sarfaraz Nihal, Resident Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Mufti Muhammad Abdul Mubeen, Group Head Shariah, Standard Chartered Bank, Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan & Shariah Committee, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia
What does Pakistan’s shift to a fully Islamic financial system by 2028 mean for financial institutions? We explore the impact of the FSC’s ruling and State Bank reforms, offering strategic insights into regulatory transformation, market leadership, and new opportunities in financial inclusion and the Islamic economy. We hear from industry leaders on how to position for success in a changing landscape.
Moderator:
Dr Irum Saba, Director of the Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance, Institute of Business Administration
Panelists:
Azeem Pirani, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, EFU Life Assurance
Muhammad Faisal Shaikh, Head, Shariah Compliance and Advisory, Faysal Bank
Shauzab Ali, Principal Project Officer, Asian Development Bank
Syed Tanveer Hussain, Group Executive and SEVP - Corporate, Commercial and Investment Banking, Meezan Bank
How are Islamic financial institutions leveraging digital tools and fintech partnerships to transform service delivery, drive innovation, and expand financial inclusion? We explore how AI, mobile apps, and tech-enabled platforms are improving efficiency and customer experience, assess the regulatory and infrastructure challenges ahead, and ask how digital innovation can offer sustainable, scalable solutions for the growth of Islamic finance.
Moderator:
Syed Faraz Anwer, Partner, A.F. Ferguson & Co. (PwC Pakistan)
Panelists:
Husain Alkhaja, GCC Regional Director, DDCAP
Naureen Hyat, Financial Inclusion Specialist
Noshad Minhas, CEO and Co-Founder, Walee Financial Services
Saleemullah Shaikh, Head of Islamic Banking, HabibMetro
With key reforms underway, can Pakistan emerge as a regional hub for Islamic capital markets? We explore the strategic direction set by the Islamic Capital Market Development Committee and what it means for growth, innovation, and resilience. We ask how non-sovereign Sukuk issuance can be accelerated, and how capital markets will play a pivotal role in supporting the broader financial system conversion—unlocking new opportunities for both banking and non-banking sectors.
Moderator:
Farmida Bi, Chair, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, Norton Rose Fulbright
Panelists:
Iffat Zehra Mankani, CEO, JS Investments
Jawad Hashmi, General Manager, Chief Market Operations Officer, Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited
Muhammad Haris Munawar, Group Head - Wholesale Banking, BankIslami Pakistan
Syed Umair Alam Zaidi, SVP, Head of Debt Capital Markets and Syndications, Faysal Bank Limited
In this episode, Ihsan Waqf founder and CEO Aminnurllah Mustapah discusses with IFN’s Nessreen Tamano how the foundation is transforming Islamic endowments in to productive assets, starting with unconventional projects.
Listen to IFN’s round-up of the top Islamic finance headlines around the world, from the 17th to the 23rd October 2025.
Moderator:
Ahsan Ali, MD & Head, Islamic Corporate & Investment Banking, Standard Chartered Bank
Panelists:
Dr Mohamed Ali Elgari, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Dato’ Prof. Dr Aznan, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Mufti Muhammad Abdul Mubeen, Group Head Shariah, Standard Chartered Bank Member Shariah Board, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan & Shariah Committee, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia
Prof. Dr Zurina Shafii, Shariah Committee Member, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia
Sahibus Samahah Ustaz Haji Ahmad Fauwaz bin Dato' Ustaz Haji Fadzil, Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan (Mufti of the Federal Territories)
Moderator:
Dr Mufti Yousuf Sultan, Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Saadiq Berhad Malaysia
Panelists:
Dato’ Prof. Dr Aznan, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Mohamed Ali Elgari, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Noralizam Aliakbar, Syariah Advisory Body Member of Standard Chartered Securities (B) Sdn Bhd Brunei
Dr Ahmad Lutfi Abdul Razak, Syariah Advisory Body Member of Standard Chartered Securities (B) Sdn Bhd Brunei
Dr Mufti Hafiz M. Sarfraz Nihal, Resident Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
YB Senator Dr Zulkifli Bin Hasan, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs)
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Nasser Baker Al Kahtani, the executive director at AGFUND, discusses the fund’s mission to lift people out of poverty through inclusive financial systems, Islamic finance solutions and technology-driven tools for small farmers.
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, the chairman of the IsDB Group, highlights Sukuk as a financing instrument for development projects, the Sukuk Summit in London this month and the Arab Coordination Group’s efforts to maximize impact.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Laura Frigenti, CEO, Global Partnership for Education (GPE), on GPE’s mandate to tackle the growing learning crisis, finance education initiatives and advance its partnership with the IsDB Group
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Nasser Baker Al Kahtani, Executive Director, Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), on AGFUND’s footprint in inclusive and social development and its use of digital tools to expand access to microfinance initiatives
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Imed Limam, Director, Operations Department, Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development, on the Arab Fund’s central role in regional infrastructure development and its presence in the digital and green economies
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Muhammad Sulaiman Al Jasser, Chairman, IsDB Group, on Sukuk-financed projects, the Sukuk Summit in London this month and the Arab Coordination Group’s efforts to maximize development and impact
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ismael Nabe, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Government of Guinea, on Guinea’s collaboration with the Arab Coordination Group, its infrastructure goals and the Simandou project
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General, Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD), on the role QFFD sees for the private sector in scaling impact through different financing mechanisms and the organization’s Islamic finance involvement
Francis Nantha, IFN Investor Editor, gets an update from Edward Chin, Vice-President, Asia Vision Capital, on developments at the firm's Quayside JBCC project in Malaysia's southern state of Johor and the Shariah funding plans
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Adam Knight and Nancy Chien from Bedell Cristin, on the Jersey jurisdiction’s Shariah compliant structuring appeal, its role in Sukuk and SPV innovation and rising demand from Islamic private wealth clients
Francis Nantha, IFN Investor Editor, interviews Arif Izhan Shuhaimi, Private Wealth Manager, Crewstone International on why the firm plans to offer a Shariah compliant version of its existing conventional fund
Aminah Farid, IFN Journalist, interviews Faris Lodin, Wahed Global Advisory Board and Member of Wahed Ventures Investment Committee on investor trends among Generation Z.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Irfan Salim, Co-Founder, The Gulf-ASEAN Exchange, on investor appetite for Shariah compliant products in GCC and ASEAN markets and barriers to deeper cross-border collaboration.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Jessica Tan, Principal, Fixed Income Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices, on Sukuk index methodology and screening criteria, and future trends in integrating ESG factors with Shariah compliant fixed income benchmarks
Francis Nantha, IFN Investor Editor, interviews Rex Fong, Chief Investment Officer, VCorp Capital on the firm's first Shariah compliant fund offering to help SMEs bridge financing gaps
Aminah Farid, IFN Journalist, interviews Shahariah Shaharudin, President of Saturna Sdn Bhd, on the efforts that need to be undertaken to place the Islamic finance industry on the same level-playing field as that of the environment, social and governance (ESG) market.
IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan speaks to Mohammed Parekh, the founder and CEO of London-based MRP Premier Group, on the opportunities Asia presents to Islamic investors in Europe.
Aminah Farid, IFN Journalist, interviews Oliver Agha, founder of Agha & Co law firm and IFN columnist on which Islamic finance markets globally have been making significant progress.
Aminah Farid, IFN Journalist, interviews Rafiza Ghazali, CEO of KAF Digital Bank on KAF's progress to reach the underbanked market.
Francis Nantha, IFN Investor Editor, interviews Richard Khoo, Vice President of Exim Bank Malaysia on the benefits of Islamic finance on Malaysian economic trade and exports.
Aminah Farid, IFN Journalist, interviews Sherif Essam Abdul Rahman, Senior Manager in Product Management at International Turnkey Systems (ITS) on ITS' role in Islamic finance and how ITS platform works to protect investors.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Salman Ahmed, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins, on the legal structuring of Sukuk, regulatory harmonization and the complexities of full Islamic bank conversions such as Ahli United Bank’s (UK).
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Alisher Djumanov, Founder and Managing Partner, AD Wealth Family Office, on asset allocation in Sukuk and Islamic instruments, and the growth of Islamic finance in emerging markets.
Bilal Ilhan, a country advisor with the Turkish government’s Investment Office, explains to IFN Managing Editor Vineta Tan how Turkiye is increasingly capturing international Islamic investment flows.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings, on the market alignment with AAOIFI’s Standard 62 and its potential impact on Sukuk structures and investor appetite.
Aminah Farid, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Wan Asnur, Head of Legal and Corporate Branch at Malaysia's Attorney General Chambers on the state of Islamic finance in Malaysia.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Max Freeman, Founder and CEO, Epicenter Labs, on frameworks for applying Shariah principles to digital assets and the role of screening in driving adoption
Digital Takaful represents a potential new boost to Malaysia’s Islamic insurance sector, although not without its own challenges, Mazrul Shahir, Masryef Advisory’s director of Islamic finance, tells IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan.
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia
What innovation is being seen in Islamic investment and wealth management to develop new products, grow customer bases and build brands, and how is technology being deployed? What new and exciting opportunities, such as access to index investing and thematic investing are on offer through the growth of products such as Shariah complaint ETFs?
Moderator:
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Faris Lodin, Wahed Global Advisory Board and Member of Wahed Ventures Investment Committee
Mohammed Parekh, Founder and CEO, MRP Premier Group
Ranjit Singh Gill, Director, Head, Product and Market Development, Kenanga Investors
Rebecca Chua, Managing Partner, Premia Partners
Through a series of short, punchy presentations we examine the merits of various asset classes from an investor’s viewpoint. With each asset class presented by a recognized market practitioner, we offer a critical assessment of Islamic investment opportunities, from private capital, to carbon credits, to Sukuk, to equities, to real estate. Which asset class will prevail?
Facilitator: Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Jessica Tan, Principal, Fixed Income Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Max Freeman, Founder and CEO, Epicenter Labs
Zahid Siddique, Senior Investment Analyst and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Malaysia
What are the latest challenges facing the integration of sustainability into Shariah-compliant investments and projects? What initiatives – regulatory or otherwise – are encouraging the management of long-term climate-related risk and social impact in Shariah-compliant portfolios? How is Islamic sustainable investment leveraging innovative activities such as carbon trading? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Senior Adviser, Sustainable Finance Institute Asia
Panelists:
Mohamad Irwan Aman, General Manager, Sustainability, Sarawak Energy
Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)
Ong Soon Chong, Executive Director, Head, ETF and ESG Investment, Eq8 Capital
Sedef Gunsur, Senior Investment Officer, Financial Institutions Group, International Finance Corporation
What are the value propositions of Islamic investment management, and what is driving the strategic development of the Islamic wealth economy? What trends are influencing the development of Islamic investment products in Southeast Asia? Has Islamic asset management been strategically positioned and promoted effectively, and what more could be done? We ask an experienced panel.
Moderator:
Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director and CEO, Kenanga Investors
Panelists:
Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, CEO, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation
Mohammad Ashraf Md Radzi, Chief Executive, Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera
Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)
Shahariah Shaharudin, President, Saturna Malaysia
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia
How do we further blend Shariah principles with ethical and equitable financial solutions to provide positive financial, social, and environmental outcomes? How can the impact of these initiatives be effectively measured? What’s on offer from Waqf, Zakat, Sadaqah and Qard Hasan and how can we maximise the potential of new products such as social impact Sukuk? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Dr Hamim Syahrum Ahmad Mokhtar, Lead Specialist, Capacity Development, Islamic Financial Services Board
Dr Jane Chang, Director, Social Value Malaysia
Dr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Professor Dr Nurdianawati Irwani Abdullah, Department of Finance, Kuliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia
Dr Rusni Hassan, Professor and Dean, IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance
How are changing demographics and evolving market trends driving the development and delivery of Islamic banking and Takaful products and services, and what are we learning along the way? In addition to retail, are we fulfilling the need for effective digital corporate and commercial banking products? We ask an expert panel
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Imrish Singh, Business Development Director for ISV Ecosystem Financial Services, Red Hat Asia Pacific
Rafiza Ghazali, CEO, KAF Digital Bank
Waseem Yusaf, Senior Vice President – ASEAN, Systems Limited
Wong Foong Hin, Principal Consultant, Temenos Malaysia
How have Islamic capital markets performed and what is a realistic assessment of financial institution, corporate and Sovereign Sukuk markets? What can we expect from regulatory AT1 Sukuk issuance, and what does AAOIFI Standard 62 and the potential of underlying asset ownership transfer realistically mean for the Sukuk market?
Moderator:
Abdulla Al Hammadi, AVP – Analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings
Panelists:
Alisher Djumanov, Founder and Managing Partner, AD Wealth Family Office
Jessica Tan, Principal, Fixed Income Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)
How do we assess recent global events, geopolitical shifts, trade dynamics, and investment trends from a macroeconomic perspective? Given Southeast Asia’s integration into global supply chains, what are the implications for the region, and what major risks lie ahead? In the face of uncertainty, how should businesses and financial institutions adapt—and what role can the Islamic financial services industry play in supporting growth?
Moderator:
Abdulkader Thomas, Group President and CEO, SHAPE Knowledge Services
Panelists:
Alan Tan, Chief Economist, Affin Bank
Dr Banjaran Surya Indrastomo, Chief Economist, PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Tbk
Imran Nurginias Ibrahim, Chief Economist, Economic Research, BIMB Securities
Imran Yusof, Head of Research, MBSB Investment Bank
Exploring innovation, Shariah compliance, and responsible AI Adoption.
Interviewee: Professor Dr Aznan Hasan, Chairman, Shariah Advisory Council of the SC
Interviewer: Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Are Islamic financial institutions outperforming their traditional counterparts, and how are asset quality, funding stability, and liquidity shaping the sector’s resilience? What role is product innovation — from banking products to funds and fintech platforms, to ESG-aligned offerings — playing in driving growth? And how are regulators, financial institutions, and investors adapting to build a more dynamic and sustainable Islamic finance landscape?
Moderator:
Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)
Panelists:
Bilal Parvaiz, CEO, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, CEO, Hong Leong Islamic Bank
Faris Lodin, Wahed Global Advisory Board and Member of Wahed Ventures Investment Committee
Mohammed Parekh, Founder and CEO, MRP Premier Group
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings
How have domestic Islamic financial institutions performed, and what is a realistic assessment of asset quality, funding and liquidity conditions in the banking market? How is digital transformation advancing the development of new Islamic banking and Takaful products in Oman, and can technology be better applied to improving user experience? How can Islamic financial products incorporate important sustainability characteristics and recognise climate risk?
Moderator:
Aisha Al Kharusi, Deputy Executive Chair, Modern College of Business and Science
Panelists:
Ahmed Ibrahim Lamei, Senior Manager, ITS Dr Eskandar Shah, CEO, ISRA International Consulting Firas Al Lawati, Deputy CTO for Digital Transformation, Central Bank of Oman Mohammed Al Hashmi, Chief Compliance Officer, Bank Nizwa Rafiza Ghazali, CEO, KAF Digital Bank
How have recent Shariah compliant IPOs and Sukuk transactions moved the dial in terms of interest in Oman, and how can this impressive momentum be maintained? Does the secondary market across multiple asset classes offer sufficient liquidity and depth, and is sustainability given enough recognition by issuers and advisors? What other opportunities are on offer for Islamic capital markets in Oman, in what sectors, and what needs to be done to capitalise on these?
Moderator:
Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)
Panelists:
Hichem Bouqniss, Executive Director of Business Operations, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation
Jonathan Segal, Group Treasurer and Head of Capital Markets, Energy Development Oman
Kemal Rizadi Arbi, Expert/Adviser, Financial Services Authority
Mohamad Noranuar Sajari, Head of Shariah Structuring, Bank Nizwa
Having developed an impressive range of financial products – from banking to capital markets to investment management – what is next for Oman’s Islamic financial services sector? What strategic initiatives are influencing this development, and what role do regulators and financial institutions have to play?
Moderator:
Asad Qayyum, Managing Partner, MAQ Legal
Panelists:
Ali Ahmed Al Lawati, AGM – Meethaq Corporate Banking, Meethaq Islamic Banking
Ali Hassan Moosa, Financial Expert/Adviser, Ministry of Finance
Khalid Al Kayed, CEO, Bank Nizwa
Mohammed Said Al Abri, CEO, Muscat Clearing and Depository
Thamer Al Shahry, Partner, SASLO
With significant current focus on the application of Waqf in Oman, what is its potential across a range of Islamic financing and business activities, including banking, asset management and capital markets?
Moderator:
Professor David Russell KC, Barrister at Law, Outer Temple Chambers
Panelists:
Mohamed Anwar Al Lawati, Head of Investments, Private Equity, TANMIA
Sami Arfah Bait Rashid, AGM – Meethaq Personal Banking, Meethaq Islamic Banking
Sherif Hampton, Special Counsel, SASLO
Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid , CEO, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation
This presentation highlights Malaysia’s competitive edge as the leader in Islamic finance, showcasing its potential to connect markets, ideas, and capital flows across borders. Leveraging a strong regulatory framework, deep market expertise, and a proven record of innovation, Malaysia continues to bridge opportunities between domestic strengths and international aspirations. It will also highlight Malaysia’s role in building investment corridors, enhance market connectivity, and unlock sustainable growth opportunities.
Azman Mokhtar, Chairman, MIFC Leadership Council
What are notable developments in investment management, including those influencing investment patterns, asset allocation and product innovation? Is Islamic asset management positioned effectively, what more could be done to provide Islamic investment and wealth management products, and is climate risk offered sufficient recognition? How is the growth of Islamic mutual funds, ETFs and REITs shaping the industry, and what role does private capital have to play?
Moderator:
Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)
Panelists:
Anastasia Lim, Head of Fixed Income, Portfolio Manager, Jabal Asset Management
Dr Ehab Elsonbaty, Partner, DLA Piper
Ibrahim Shaikh, Principal Investments, Wahed Invest
Raja Amir Shah Raja Azwa, CEO, HSBC Amanah Malaysia
Shahariah Shaharudin, President, Saturna Malaysia
What motivates issuers and investors to choose Shariah compliant structures over conventional? We explore the strategic, commercial, regulatory, and ethical factors that shape this decision—ranging from market demand and investor preferences to regulatory incentives and reputational considerations. We examine what these choices reveal about evolving market dynamics and the future development of Islamic financial services.
Moderator:
Mohsin Shaik Sehu Mohamed, Head of Investment Banking and Capital Markets, Dhofar Islamic
Panelist:
Ahmed Tabook, Head of Treasury, Tax and Insurance, OQ Base Industries
This panel will present Malaysia as a compelling investment destination, showcasing how a resilient economy thrives on a deep and liquid capital market. Discussions will explore Malaysia’s investment track record, growth potential, and long-term value creation, all grounded in strong governance, international best practices, and a robust investor protection framework. These strengths reinforce investor confidence and underscore Malaysia’s reliability as a trusted gateway into ASEAN’s dynamic economy—aligned with Oman Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification, sustainability, and enhanced global partnerships.
Moderator:
Bilal Parvaiz, CEO, Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia
Panelists:
Azman Mokhtar, Chairman, MIFC Leadership Council
Fad’l Mohamed, CEO, Bursa Malaysia
Professor Dr Aznan Hasan, Shariah Advisory Council, Securities Commission Malaysia
Azizah Mohd Yatim, CEO, CGS International Securities Malaysia
Saif Shawqi, Director, Fitch Ratings
This panel will showcase leading Malaysian corporations from sectors that complement the diversification priorities of Oman Vision 2040, highlighting their scale, governance standards, and global growth strategies. Through compelling corporate success stories, the session will promote long-term partnerships and present attractive growth and investment opportunities that foster mutual economic development and sustainable value creation.
Moderator:
Alan Inn, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, CGS International Securities Malaysia
Panelists:
Andrew Tan, Group Managing Director, Tanco Holdings
Benjamin Ong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Pavilion Group
Fitri Othman, CFA, Deputy Director General, Federal Land Development Authority
Liew Kong Fatt, Chief Financial Officer, Solarvest Holdings
Amid shifting geopolitics and increased interest from sovereign wealth funds, we explore emerging opportunities for bilateral Shariah-compliant investment into the UK and other global markets. Discussions will focus on direct and private equity investment, along with growing demand for Shariah-compliant alternative assets, including asset-backed credit, venture funds, real estate, real assets, and Islamic debt funds.
Moderator:
Richard Thomas, Managing Director, Sustainable Economy
Panelists:
Adeel Khan, Managing Partner, Potentia
Mahdi Yazdizadeh, CEO, Ereele Capital
Mike Rainey, Partner, King & Spalding
Mohammed Saifullah Khan, CEO, Ebdaa Islamic Finance Consultancy
How have Islamic capital markets performed and what is a realistic assessment of financial institution, corporate and Sovereign Sukuk markets? Is the UK leveraging on its reputation for innovative capital market products and services? How can London cement its position as a listing and arranging centre for international Shariah compliant capital market transactions and funds? What further opportunities are offered by green and sustainable Sukuk?
Moderator:
Lawrence Oliver, Executive Director, Deputy CEO, DDCAP Group/ETHOS AFP
Panelists:
Dr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Nadim Zaman, Managing Director, Head of Origination, LBBW
Simone Utermarck, Senior Director, Sustainable Finance, International Capital Market Association
Valerie O’Flaherty, Head of Irish and UK Debt listing, Euronext
With a large, underserved demographic, what is the potential for Shariah compliant pension solutions in the UK? We explore innovative approaches to annuities and income drawdowns through Takaful and other structures. We highlight untapped market segments, discuss scalable models, and examine how providers can meet demand while navigating regulatory and operational challenges.
Moderator:
Olga De Tapia, Global Head of ETFs and Indexing Sales and Global Head of Portfolio Advisory Solutions and OCIO Sales, HSBC Asset Management
Panelists:
Fazeel Siddiqui, Senior Relationship Manager, Wahed
Furqan Sheikh, Wealth Director, RBC Brewin Dolphin
Dr Samir Alamad, Chief Adviser Islamic Banking and Finance, Ihsan Islamic Finance Solutions
As demand for Shariah-compliant solutions grows, so too do opportunities for investment managers. We examine how UK Islamic asset management is currently positioned and where product development, asset class innovation, and green finance integration can unlock significant value. We explore the creation of large, scalable Shariah compliant investable capital pools—and what it all means for forward-thinking managers looking to capture a growing market.
Moderator:
Dr Natalie Schoon, Principal Consultant, Formabb
Panelists:
Mohammed Parekh, Managing Director, MRP Premier Group
Nuno Soares, Chairman, Atlantic Premium Capital Partners
Sefian Kasem, Global Head of ETF and Indexing Investment Specialist, HSBC Asset Management
Sulaiman Moolla, Managing Director and Head of Investments, Cur8 Capital
Umer Suleman, Co-Founder and Trustee, National Waqf Fund
Stella Cox , Managing Director, DDCAP Group and Chair of TheCityUK Islamic Finance Advisory Group
With a new administration and evolving trade frameworks, we assess the strategic outlook for the UK’s Islamic finance industry both domestically and internationally. We examine priority sectors for regulatory reform, potential policy incentives to stimulate growth, and the integration of Shariah-compliant financial products into mainstream finance. The discussion will also address the development of scalable Islamic offerings to enhance market penetration and financial inclusion.
Moderator:
Mohammed Paracha, Head of Middle East, Norton Rose Fulbright
Panelists:
Ahsan Ali, Managing Director and Head, Islamic Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Bashar Al Natoor, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, Fitch Ratings
Danesh Mahadeva, Chief Financial Officer, Gatehouse Bank
Moad Giebaly, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Thominah Talukdar, Senior Consultant, Avyse Partners
How is technology reshaping the UK Islamic finance landscape? We explore the evolving role of Islamic fintechs, shifting consumer expectations, and whether niche Shariah-compliant segments are being adequately served. What innovations are improving user experience, and what can be learnt from global peers?
Moderator:
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings
Panelists:
Arshadur Rahman, Senior Manager, Bank of England
Rafiza Ghazali, CEO, KAF Digital Bank
Stella Cox, Managing Director, DDCAP Group
Dr Usman Chaudry, Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director, Gatehouse Bank
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Dr Ilyas Zaripov, associate professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics and a member of the Central Bank of Russia’s partnership financing working group, dives into Russia’s evolving Islamic finance landscape. He discusses the three-year extension of the pilot experiment, the challenges and opportunities ahead and the steps needed to establish an Islamic finance framework in Russia, from legislative changes to foreign investment and digital innovation.
This episode examines the growth trajectory of Indonesia’s Islamic capital market, as Irwan Abdalloh, Vice Director of Islamic Capital Market – Indonesia Stock Exchange, speaks to IFN about investor trends, market innovation, new regulations and the broader Islamic finance outlook.
This episode explores the evolving Islamic finance strategy of South Africa’s Standard Bank Group, as Ameen Hassen, the head of Shariah banking, speaks to IFN Editor Nessreen Tamano about the bank’s Islamic finance roadmap and the broader South African market landscape.
What’s a realistic assessment of Shariah compliant investment management in North America? What trends are influencing this in terms of investment patterns, structure and asset allocation? Has Islamic asset management in the US been positioned and promoted effectively, and what more could be done? What innovation is being seen in Islamic investment management and how is technology being deployed? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Kavi Chawla, Chief Growth Officer, PowerPollen
Panelists:
Irshad Rasheed, President, Islamic Banking Division, Stearns Bank
Mike Tirman, Partner, Honigman
Oussama Kaissi, Founder and CEO, Meridiem Group
Dr Radwa Elsaman, Adjunct Professor, Cornell Law School
Samim Abedi, Chief Investment Officer, Wahed
What are current market trends in private capital in the US and what are the underlying factors driving growth? What opportunities are on offer for US Shariah compliant private capital investment, including asset-backed credit, venture funds, private equity, real assets, and real estate? Is there US-domiciled Islamic private equity for US deals, and if so, where’s the smart money at?
Moderator:
Kavi Chawla, Chief Growth Officer, PowerPollen
Panelists:
Aamir Rehman, Chair, Innate Capital Partners
Amir Memon, Investment Director, Princeton University Investment Company
Dr Ehab Elsonbaty, Partner, DLA Piper
Nasser Albarghash, Managing Director, Partner Capital
We cast a critical eye over the range of Shariah compliant investment products currently available to investors in the US market, including ETFs, REITs, mutual funds and other products. What is being done well, what can be improved and what additional products and asset classes would be beneficial for US investors?
Moderator:
Zeshan Gondal, Senior Vice President, Stearns Salaam Banking
Panelists:
Elias Scheker Da Silva, Director and Portfolio Manager, Wafra
Max Kaiser, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Saturna Capital
Mohamad Nasir, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Guidance Investments
How are fintechs addressing the needs of American Muslim investors, and how is asset tokenization assisting investor access to real assets and Sukuk? What is offered by P2P and equity crowdfunding, and what is a realistic assessment of the market for digital assets, including crypto? What regulatory changes would help the development of Islamic investment products in North America?
Moderator:
Ishmam Ahmed, Managing Director, Hoya Advisory
Panelists:
Fahad Siddiqui, Founder and CEO, Mabrook
Saad Malik, CEO and Co-Founder, Zoya
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Maryam Khosrowshahi, Chair Global SSA and Head Sub-Saharan Africa Coverage & CEEMEA Sovereign DCM, Deutsche Bank, on structuring an award-winning Shariah compliant healthcare financing deal in Côte d’Ivoire and using ICIEC’s Non-Honoring of Sovereign Financial Obligation policy
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Vicente Pons, Managing Principal, Frontera Capital Group, on structuring a risk-remote, Solvency II-aligned facility supported by ICIEC credit insurance and mobilizing international capital into frontier markets through innovative, development-focused finance
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Noor Azam Yusof, the CEO of Sun Life Malaysia Takaful, discusses the evolving landscape of Takaful in Malaysia, highlighting digital transformation, ESG initiatives and future opportunities in the industry.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Munawar, Governor, Maldives Monetary Authority, on advancing Islamic finance in the Maldives through MISFI, education partnerships, public awareness via Tamveel and future regional ambitions
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Youssef Ben Henda, Senior Regional Officer, Arab World & Turkey-Representative Offices, Islamic Banking, Union de Banques Arabes et Françaises (UBAF), on the evolution and impact of UBAF’s long-standing partnership with ICIEC, the role of the Documentary Credit Insurance Policy in facilitating trade and prospects for future collaboration amid shifting global trade dynamics.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Sujithav Sarangi, Executive Director, Development & Agency Finance, Standard Chartered, on leveraging Islamic finance to support inclusive growth in Uzbekistan, ICIEC’s role in risk mitigation, advancing sustainable development and the importance of multi-institutional partnerships in emerging markets.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Yasser Madani Alaki, Director, Business Development Department, The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on leveraging strategic partnerships with IFC and DZ Bank to support long-term development in member countries and harnessing emerging technologies to enhance underwriting and risk management
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Fisheries & Ocean Resources, Republic of Maldives, on IsDB’s Lives and Livelihoods Fund, its main objectives and how it is structured as a development initiative
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Nasser M. Al Thekair, General Manager, Trade & Business Development, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), on delivering trade solutions across OIC countries, enhancing regional integration, supporting businesses during crises and ITFC’s strategic vision for 2025 and beyond
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Abdou DIAW, Coordonnateur National, PROMISE, on supporting Islamic microfinance in Senegal and partnering with organizations like the IsDB to help expand access to services in the nation
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ismail Ersahin, Executive Director, CEO, World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies, on the power of collaboration among investment promotion agencies, the challenges beyond funding that agencies face and how partnerships enhance both impact and strategic investment outcomes
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Hamza Boukili, Division Manager, Partnerships, CEO Executive Office, on how ICD forges strategic partnerships to drive private sector growth, examples of high-impact collaborations in member countries and the challenges and solutions involved in building effective development-focused alliances
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Hassan Zago Idris, Director (Acting), Legal Affairs Department, The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on addressing global trade risks and supporting infrastructure development across OIC member states
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Nikolai Podguzov, Chairman of the Management Board, Eurasian Development Bank, on Islamic finance as a tool for regional growth, Sukuk issuance, the launch of an Islamic banking window, collaboration with the IsDB Institute and expanding the bank’s role in global Islamic finance
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Iskandar Tursunov, Founder & CEO, Al Muamalat Consulting, on the growth and development of Islamic finance in Uzbekistan and Central Asia
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Khalid Khalafalla, Acting CEO, The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, on guiding private sector financing and adapting strategies to global shifts across its member countries
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Khalid Khalafalla, CEO, The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, on advancing green finance and enhancing private sector partnerships for economic development in member states, including Algeria
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Haytham ElMaayergi, Executive Vice President, Global Trade Bank, African Export-Import Bank, on winning the Trade Development Initiative of the Year Award at the IsDB’s Private Sector Forum Awards and advancing cross-regional trade and food security through the Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program
Zurich Takaful Malaysia’s CEO Nur Fatihah Mustafa talks to Nessreen Tamano, IFN Editor, about why earning trust is key to scaling digital Takaful, and how the industry can drive meaningful financial inclusion.
In this episode, Adil Hussain, a partner at Baker McKenzie, talks to IFN Editor Nessreen Tamano about the anticipated shifts in the industry in relation to AAOIFI’s Standard 62, and the regulatory challenges and evolving market trends in the GCC.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Habib Ahmed, Professor and Sharjah Chair in Islamic Law & Finance, Durham University, on the role of education in advancing Islamic finance globally, the need for supportive legal frameworks and how greater literacy and regulatory reform can unlock the sector’s full potential.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development, University of Oxford, on the role of Islamic finance in maintaining ethical principles amidst globalization and its potential to address economic inequalities, especially in emerging markets.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Baihaqi Azhari, Investment Specialist, Bahana TCW Investment Management, on the need to expand Islamic investment products in Indonesia and the role of collaboration with Bank Syariah Indonesia in raising public awareness.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Aji Erlangga, CEO, Sarana Modern Sejahtera, on the grassroots-driven nature of Islamic banking in Indonesia and its role in business finance.
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Bob Ananta, the acting president director of Bank Syariah Indonesia, shares how the bank is advancing Islamic finance globally through the 2025 Global Islamic Finance Summit (GIFS), policy harmonization and innovative initiatives like the Muslim Consumption Index.
Despite being the backbone of the MENA economy, only one in five SMEs in the region can access bank financing, resulting in a whopping financing gap of up to US$240 billion, according to the World Bank. Why is that the case and how is this changing the financing landscape; and, how does Islamic finance factor into the equation? Khaled Berjawi, the head of product management for Islamic banks at Azentio Software, breaks it down in this episode with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan.
Raja Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, the CEO of AEON Bank, Malaysia’s first Islamic digital bank, discusses the bank’s five-year growth strategy, digital adoption in the country and plans to expand into SME banking, with IFN Editor Nessreen Tamano.
Qatari conglomerate Estithmar Holding made Islamic finance history with its QAR500 million debut Sukuk, the first corporate to have tapped the Qatari riyal Sukuk market, charting a new pathway for others to follow suit and deepen the market. In a roundtable hosted by IFN, experts behind the transaction from Al Rayan Investment, Masraf Al Rayan and Simmons & Simmons discuss the intricacies and significance of this award-winning deal.
Interviewees:
- Akber Khan, Acting CEO, Al Rayan Investment
- Tahir Hayat Pirzada, GM, Group Treasurer and Financial Institutions, Masraf Al Rayan
- Hadi El Kadi, Senior Associate, Deal Advisory, Al Rayan Investment
- Lee Irvine, Partner, Simmons & Simmons
In this honest discussion about the state of Shariah harmonization and legal landscape of Islamic finance, Mohammed Paracha, Norton Rose Fulbright's head of Middle East and the co-founder of Nester, shares with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan that while there's been promising laudable efforts, the industry still needs to do more. He also shares how fintech could be the next exciting chapter in the industry's growth story.
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Maricel Estavillo discusses Pru Life UK's pioneering role in launching Takaful products in the Philippines and its efforts to expand financial inclusion.
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Director, REDmoney and Managing Editor of IFN Investor
Panelists:
Gareth Lewis, Vice President, Partnerships and Enterprise, Fasset
Ranvir Singhsachakul, Director of Marketing and Business Development, MessageSpring
Through a series of short, punchy presentations we examine the merits of various asset classes from an investor’s viewpoint. With each asset class presented by a recognized market practitioner, we offer a critical assessment of Islamic investment opportunities, from private capital, to Sukuk, to equities, to real estate. Which asset class will prevail?
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Director, REDmoney and Managing Editor of IFN Investor
Panelists:
Jaber Al Noumani, CFO – Finance and Procurement, OQ Exploration and Production
Khalid Howladar, Chairman, MRHB.Network
Louis Hems, Commercial Director, Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange
Patrick Drum, Fixed Income Lead and Portfolio Manager, Saturna Capital
Walid Shalan, Group Chief Financial Officer, Estithmar Holding
How much further can regional Shariah compliant asset owners and managers incorporate green and sustainable considerations into investment decisions, while at the same time encouraging investee companies to manage climate risk? What is a current assessment of regulatory frameworks and their influence on Shariah compliant investment decisions? Is sufficient regional Shariah compliant capital being channeled into energy transition, and are we maximizing the potential of green Sukuk?
Moderator:
Sohail Zubairi, Green Islamic Finance Specialist
Panelists:
Faisal Ali, Senior Portfolio Manager, Azimut
Luma Saqqaf, Founder and CEO, Ajyal Sustainability
Mona Zeineldin, Managing Director, Emerging Capital Management Partners
What trends are influencing Islamic investment management in terms of investment patterns, asset allocation and product development? Has Islamic asset management been positioned and promoted effectively, and what more could be done? Has increased demand for Shariah compliant investment products impacted global investment patterns? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Oliver Agha, Professional Associate, Outer Temple Chambers
Panelists:
Alisher Djumanov, Founder, AD Wealth
Fahd Chaudhry, Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Mehdi Popotte, Portfolio Manager, Arqaam Capital
What innovation is being seen in Islamic investment and wealth management to develop new products, grow customer bases and build brands, and how is technology being deployed? What is the potential for Waqf investment funds and what has already been achieved in the region? How are Waqf investment funds structured and how will these funds contribute to sustainable development?
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Director, REDmoney and Managing Editor of IFN Investor
Panelists:
Ebrahim Moolla, Head of Islamic Private Capital, Numeral
Dr Imran Lum, Head of Islamic Finance, Business & Private Bank, National Australia Bank
Max Garvey, Founder and CEO, Epicenter Labs
Thamer Al Shahry, Partner, SASLO
What are current market trends in private capital and what are the underlying factors driving growth? What opportunities are on offer for regional Shariah compliant private capital investment, and if we examine asset-backed credit, venture funds, private equity, real assets, and real estate sectors, where will we see the growth? Can private capital more effectively fund Shariah compliant startups and foster innovation across global markets?
Moderator:
Alexander Armstrong, Director, Aditum Capital
Panelists:
Anita Wieja-Caruba, Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Lo’ai Bataineh, CEO, Ominvest Capital DIFC
Mohammed Parekh, Managing Director, MRP Premier Group
Ruslan Akhmedzyanov, Head of Transaction Advisory, Ypsilon Capital (DIFC)
Walter Gontarek, CEO and Chairman, Channel Capital Advisors
Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation, shares with Vineeta Tan how the corporation is adapting to evolving market conditions to meet the global needs for Islamic liquidity management tools.
With eight strategic thrusts and 52 initiatives, Malaysian Takaful Association (MTA)'s transformation blueprint, Hijrah27, is an ambitious, and comprehensive, undertaking. In this interview with Vineeta Tan, MTA CEO Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, goes into detail the scope, challenges and targets of Hijrah27.
Dr Ishrat Hussain, Ex Governor State Bank of Pakistan 1999 - 2006, Ex Dean and Director - Institute of Business Administration (IBA) 2008 - 2016 and Ex Advisor to PM on Institutional Reforms and Austerity with the status of Federal Minister
Moderator:
Azhar Aslam, Head Islamic Banking, Pakistan
Panelists:
Sheikh Nizam Yaquby, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Mohamed Ali Elgari, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Aznan Hasan, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Mufti Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Professor Dr Ashraf Md Hashim, Internal Shariah Supervision Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank UAE
Moderator:
Dr Mufti Yousuf Sultan, Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia
Panelists:
Dr Aznan Hasan, Global Shariah Supervisory Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Mufti Muhammad Sarfaraz Nihal, Resident Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Dr Ahcene Lahsasna, Chairman Internal Shariah Supervision Committee, SCB UAE and Shariah Board SCB Malaysia
Professor Dr Hakimah Binti Haji Yaacob Shariah, Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia
Dr Haji Noralizam bin Haji Aliakbar, Syariah Advisory Board Member Standard Chartered Securities (B) Sdn Bhd
Moderator:
Professor Dr Zurina Binti Shafii, Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia
Panelists:
Professor Dr Ashraf Md Hashim, Internal Shariah Supervision Committee Member, Standard Chartered Bank UAE
Dr Mufti Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Dr Ahcene Lahsasna, Chairman, Internal Shariah Supervision Committee, SCB UAE and Shariah Board SCB Malaysia
Dr Mufti Muhammad Sarfaraz Nihal, Resident Shariah Board Member, Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Muhammad Akram Ramli, Senior Executive Analyst, BIX Malaysia, on the growth of the Sukuk market and development of green Sukuk
Francis Nantha, Editor of IFN Investor, interviews Najman Isa, CEO & CIO, RHB Islamic International Asset Management, on firm's growth strategy
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Anouk Hanafiah, CEO, Eastspring Al-Wara’ Investments, on wealth management and ethical investing
Sustainability is at the top of the agenda for most Islamic banks. CIMB Islamic Bank’s head of sustainable finance, Arshad Nuval Othman, explains to Vineeta Tan how banks are navigating this phenomenon and what we can expect from CIMB Islamic.
Francis Nantha, Editor of IFN Investor, interviews Faisal Al Osaimi, CEO, Invesense Asset Management, on global Islamic investments outlook
Francis Nantha, Editor of IFN Investor, interviews Frederik Wijsenbeek, CIO, Vemi Capital, on global Islamic investments
Francis Nantha, Editor of IFN Investor, interviews Hamel Shah, Founder, Azimuth Global Partners, on global Islamic investments outlook
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews James Buchanan, Managing Director of South Asia, Walton Global, on integrating Islamic finance into investment opportunities
Mohd Ekmal Mohd Zazi, CIMB Islamic’s regional head of wholesale banking, explains to Vineeta Tan how the changing age structure of the Malaysian demographic is prompting Islamic banks to rethink their growth strategy.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Suresh Naidu Sadasivan, Director of Communication & Innovation, Masverse, on the impact of technology on Islamic finance
The Malaysian Islamic insurance sector is undergoing a transformation; Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, CEO of Malaysian Takaful Association, tells Vineeta Tan how the industry is preparing itself.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ric Khoo, Vice President, EXIM Bank of Malaysia, on Islamic finance’s enhancement through Credit Takaful
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Mohamed Ashraf Iqbal, Chairman, Waafi Bank, on strategic partnerships and market positioning in the Islamic finance industry
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Senior Executive Vice President & Head of Shariah Compliance, Meezan Bank, on the Sukuk market in Pakistan
Sukuk in Turkiye are gaining serious momentum. Ahmet Tacer of Golden Global Investment Bank, explains to Vineeta Tan the factors driving this phenomenon.
Francis Nantha, Editor of IFN Investor, interviews Alae Chouaibi, MD, Waha Investment, on the firm's Shariah funds in Abu Dhabi
Ang Xing Xian, the co-founder and CEO of CapBay, shares with Vineeta Tan the firm’s Shariah compliance journey and its future plans including the exploration of digital assets.
Francis Nantha, Editor of IFN Investor, interviews Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz, on global plans for Halal Money app
Jun Jie Yoon, the founder of CapSphere, explains to Vineeta Tan how the Islamic funding landscape in Malaysia is changing with the advent of digital platforms.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Mahmud Hossain, Managing Director & CEO, Millenium Information Solution, on the evolving demand for Shariah compliant products
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Dr Marjan Muhammad, Director of Research Management & Publications, ISRA Research Management Centre at INCEIF University, on innovation and development in Islamic finance
Sherif El Mansy, the banking products director at ITS, walks Vineeta Tan through the digital transformation journey of Islamic banks.
Muzzammil Dhedhy, the co-founder and executive director of Hejaz Group, shares with Vineeta Tan the untapped Islamic finance potential in Australia and how the group is expanding into new markets.
Radhika Das, IFN Journalist, interviews Rosyidah, Shariah Business Development Analyst, Indonesia Stock Exchange, on the influence of Sukuk issuance on market dynamics
How are Islamic banks in the Southeast Asian region faring in the current economic and geopolitical climate? Vineeta Tan asks Bilal Parvaiz, CEO of Standard Chartered Saadiq.
What represents a holistic and efficient Islamic investment ecosystem, and what is an effective regulatory environment to foster growth? What are notable recent developments in global Islamic investment management, including those influencing investment patterns, asset allocation and product innovation? How is technology changing Islamic asset and wealth management, and how is the emergence of private capital influencing the sector? Are suitable Shariah compliant savings and investment products being developed to meet local market needs? What Islamic investment trends have been witnessed in the Gulf that will have influence on the Asian markets? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
John Welling, Senior Director Head of Global Equity Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Izad Sallehuddin, CEO, Principal Islamic
Sefian Kasem, Global Head of ETF and Indexing Investment Specialist, HSBC Asset Management
Shahariah Shaharudin, President, Saturna Malaysia
Seong Jiann Koay, Group Chief Financial Officer, MASVERSE
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia
Introduction
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance newsExploring Non-Rupiah Funding Routes and Shariah Compliant Options for Indonesian Corporate Issuers
- The Indonesian corporate finance market and how it has evolved.
- Assessing funding options for Indonesian corporate issuers: capital markets vs bank financing vs alternative funding (P2P and equity crowdfunding).
- Offering an overview of the legal, tax and regulatory environment for Indonesian corporate capital raising.
- Rupiah versus non-Rupiah denominated corporate financing and capital raising activities.
- Shariah bank and syndicated financing versus the Islamic capital markets: comparisons and contrasts.
- Common non-Rupiah Sukuk structures and their applications for corporate issuers.
- Balance sheet management: asset-based versus asset-backed structures, and Rupiah versus non-Rupiah.
- Other key considerations for potential issuers of Shariah compliant facilities: tenor, rating, risk management, liquidity, credit enhancement, investor base.
- The opportunities offered by Shariah compliant, non-Rupiah green, transition and sustainability linked capital raising products.
Moderator:
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Aditya N W Martowardojo, Director Corporate Client Solutions, PT CIMB Niaga Sekuritas
Bilal Parvaiz, CEO, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Ritesh Agarwal, Head of Debt Capital Markets, Investment Banking, Emirates NBD Capital
Romy Buchari, Shariah Banking Director, Maybank
Zach Ang Chiang Yong, Head, Asia Clients, GLCs and Financial Sponsors, CIMB
How is Islamic investment being channeled into energy transition and related technologies, such as hydrogen? How are innovative activities such as carbon trading driving sustainable investing, and what opportunities are presented by the carbon markets? How are investors encouraging portfolio companies to manage long term climate related risk and social impact? What is a realistic assessment of regional ESG guidelines and global taxonomies and their influence on Islamic investors? We seek the views of an influential panel.
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Arshad Nuval Othman, Head, Sustainable Finance, CIMB Islamic
Ee Siew Pek, VP, Marketing and Product Development, Carbon Market, Bursa Malaysia
Mohamad Irwan Aman, General Manager, Sustainability, Sarawak Energy
Mushtaq Kapasi, Managing Director, Chief Representative, Asia Pacific, International Capital Market Association
How is private capital influencing regional financial markets? How is private credit transforming Southeast Asian corporate financing, and what approach should regulators take? What are opportunities for private equity investment and how can this market be effectively navigated? What are opportunities for early-stage Shariah compliant venture capital in Southeast Asia? How are government and regulator-led initiatives promoting the participation of private capital in projects with positive social outcomes? We seek the views of an expert panel.
Moderator:
Ranjit Singh Gill, Head, Product Development, Kenanga Investors
Panelists:
Ahmad Nazir Che Yen, Business Development Director, DDGI Limited Regional Office
Badrul Hisham Jaafar, Senior Partner, COPE Private Equity
Frederik Wijsenbeek, Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Vemi Capital
Mohammed Parekh, Managing Director, MRP Premier Group
What are the value propositions of Islamic wealth management businesses and products, and what is the size and demographic of the regional Islamic wealth economy? How are financial institutions refining the processes of wealth management to develop products, grow customer bases and build wealth management brands? How are balance sheets being used to transform and upgrade the mass affluent market into wealth management clients? Are Islamic financial institutions sufficiently leveraging on intergenerational wealth and the non-Muslim market, and are opportunities for cross selling wealth management services being capitalized on? We ask a respected panel.
Moderator:
Olga De Tapia, Global Head of ETFs and Indexing Sales and Global Head of Portfolio Advisory Solutions and OCIO Sales, HSBC Asset Management
Panelists:
Anouk Hanafiah, CEO, Eastspring Al-Wara’ Investments
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Geoff Holmes, Group Chief Strategy Officer, Vemi Ventures
Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek, Director, Group Head Institutional and Islamic Asset Management, Kenanga Investors
Resham Singh Beera Singh, Managing Director and Regional Head, Consumer Banking, CIMB Islamic
What are current market trends in global private capital and what are the underlying factors driving this growth? What opportunities are on offer for Shariah compliant private capital investments in the GCC, Southeast Asia and the UK, and which other geographic markets are ripe for growth? Which private capital market products are well positioned for growth if we examine asset-backed credit, venture funds, private equity, real assets, and real estate sectors?
Moderator:
Walter Gontarek, CEO and Chairman, Channel Capital Advisors
Panelists:
Ahmad Shahizam Mohd Shariff, General Partner, Mekar Capital
Michael Rainey, Partner, King & Spalding
Mohammed Saifullah Khan, CEO, Ebdaa Islamic Finance Consultancy
Saad Adada, Founder and Managing Director, Mnaara Limited
How do we enhance the role of Islamic finance in driving philanthropic initiatives in the UK? How can minorities be empowered through the application of Islamic finance and Islamic social welfare mechanisms such as Waqf, Zakat and Sadaqah? Can we better utilize Islamic financial professional services in managing social finance funds, and what do tech-enabled Islamic finance solutions offer? What is the role of regulators and industry standard setters in guiding Islamic finance towards socioeconomic development? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Omar Khaliel, CEO, Riba Free Foundation
Panelists:
Dr Hurriyah El Islamy, CEO and Founder, HGC Firm
Dr Mohammed Kroessin, Head of Global Islamic Microfinance Unit, Islamic Relief Worldwide
Dr Sohail Hanif, CEO, National Zakat Foundation
What does a vibrant, liquid market for Islamic capital raising and issuances in a major Western capital look like, and what more should London do? How should regulatory frameworks evolve to meet market requirements and how can the performance and impact of UK Islamic capital markets be enhanced? Has the UK capitalized on the 70+ Sukuk and three Islamic ETFs listed on LSE, as well as unparalleled expertise in areas such as export credit? Can more be done to supply the market with high-quality liquid assets, and to what extent would this contribute to building a yield curve unique to Islamic financial institutions? How can green and sustainability linked Sukuk and other innovations flourish in the UK?
Moderator:
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Senior Vice-President, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings
Panelists:
Ahsan Ali, Managing Director and Head, Islamic Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Jonathan Grosvenor, Senior Associate, Trowers & Hamlins
Dr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Shrey Kohli, Head of Debt Capital Markets, London Stock Exchange
How is Islamic banking delivering tangible benefit to British consumers? What mass market Islamic finance products exist today, what structures are in use, and why? How can the growth of Islamic fintechs and the increasing influence of AI and machine learning benefit the UK Islamic banking market? What more can UK Islamic banks and financial institutions do to facilitate trade? How is climate risk being measured in the banking books of UK financial institutions? Finally, what are the current issues facing UK Islamic banks in terms of liquidity creation and liquidity risk management?
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Arshadur Rahman, Senior Manager, Bank of England
Basel Al-Hussien, Senior Manager of Advisory, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
Lawrence Oliver, Executive Director, Deputy CEO, DDCAP Group™
Dr Samir Alamad, Chief Adviser Islamic Banking and Finance, Ihsan Islamic Finance Solutions
Sultan Choudhury, Advisory Board Member, Islamic Finance Council UK
Wasim Miah, Co-Founder and CEO, Spark
What are notable recent developments in global Islamic investment management, including those influencing investment patterns, asset allocation and product innovation? What role is AI and machine learning playing in the evolution of Islamic asset management, and what are key challenges and opportunities? How is climate risk being measured and mitigated by asset owners and managers? How are savings and investment rates being stimulated in the UK, and are suitable Shariah compliant products being developed to meet market needs?
Moderator:
Olga De Tapia, Global Head of ETFs and Indexing Sales and Global Head of Portfolio Advisory Solutions and OCIO Sales, HSBC Asset Management
Panelists:
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Jesal Mistry, Head of DC Investments, Legal & General Investment Management
Ibrahim Khan, Co-founder, Islamicfinanceguru
Michael Whealon, Partner, Ethos Invest
Robert Dickson, UK Head of ETF Sales and Distribution, HANetf
With possible impending tax changes and a new government, the prospect for overcoming obstacles in UK Islamic finance has rarely looked better. What future events could be heralded as wins for the UK Islamic financial services sector? How has the alternative liquidity facility been utilized and what benefit has accrued to financial institutions? Can we further build bilateral relations with GCC Islamic finance centres and continue to improve the UK’s appeal as an Islamic finance destination? How does the UK leverage on its enviable position as a centre for Islamic investment management? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Richard Thomas, Managing Director, Sustainable Economy
Panelists:
Bashar Al Natoor, Managing Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, Fitch Ratings
Sefian Kasem, Global Head of ETF and Indexing Investment Specialist, HSBC Asset Management
Dr Scott Levy, CEO, Yasaar Capital
Dr Usman Chaudry, Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director, Gatehouse Bank
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Christian de Guzman discusses macro and credit trends among Islamic sovereigns, delving deeper into globalfinancial conditions and economic resilience, geopolitical shifts and the evolution of ESG risks in the Islamic financial landscape
What services do market operators in the equity crowdfunding sector offer, and how is this evolving? How is ECF and peer-to-peer financing facilitating crucial funding for the SME sector, and how can ECF be used for impact, social and sustainable investing? What are opportunities and structures for early-stage Shariah compliant venture capital, and can the success of large global venture funds be emulated regionally? Finally, what does the development and evolution of digital assets such as digital currencies, tokens and new forms of crowdfunding mean for the Islamic financial services sector in Southeast Asia?
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO, 1337 Ventures
Jun Jie Yoon, Founder and CEO, Capsphere SME Financing
Ang Xing Xian, Co-founder and CEO, CapBay
Professor Ainurul Rosli, Professor of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Brunel University
Dr Jane Chang, Director, Social Value Malaysia
Can we better utilize Islamic financial services in promoting the Halal economy and managing social finance funds? How can minorities and the disadvantaged be empowered through the application of Islamic finance and social welfare mechanisms such as Waqf, Zakat and Sadaqah? How do we enhance the role of Islamic finance in driving philanthropic initiatives in Malaysia? Where and how do social finance and the Halal economy overlap, and can we leverage further on this important symbiose? How are government and regulator-led initiatives helping Halal businesses transition to greener and more sustainable practices? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Shabnam Mokhtar, Managing Director, SHAPE Knowledge Services
Panelists:
Ariffin Sabirin, CEO, Wasiyyah Shoppe
Dr Hamim Syahrum Ahmad Mokhtar, Deputy Director, Financial Inclusion Department, Bank Negara Malaysia
Mohammad Hafiz Jamaluddin, Head of Halal Integrated Platform, Halal Development Corporation
Dr Rusni Hassan, Professor and Dean, IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance
Dr Suresh Naidu Sadasivan, Director of Communication and Innovation, Masverse
Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, CEO, Malaysian Takaful Association
Prof Dr Younes Soualhi, Senior Researcher, Lecturer, International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance
What are corporates and financial institutions looking for from Islamic hedging tools? What exposures can realistically be managed and how do Islamic hedging tools fit into a wider risk management framework? What can and cannot be structured, and what are the most prominent principles hedging tools are based on? What is the Tahawwut Master Agreement and why is it important? How can hedging tools be used for specific purposes such as Islamic energy commodity derivative trades?
Moderator:
Abdulkader Thomas, Group President and CEO, SHAPE Knowledge Services
Panelists:
Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Senior Executive Vice President & Head Shariah Compliance, Meezan Bank
Mohamed Iqbal Mohamed Iqbal, Independent Non-Executive Director, Agrobank Malaysia
Dr Mohammad Mahbubi, Chairman, Sidogiri Islamic Institute
What potential opportunities are on offer in supporting the transition of population dynamics in Southeast Asia, and what role should Islamic financial institutions play? How can Islamic finance be further deployed as a tool to reduce income and wealth inequality, and drive financial inclusion in the region? How are new technologies shaping strategy for the provision and distribution of Islamic financial services, and how should regulation evolve in response? How can Islamic financial institutions play a leadership role in the evolution of the Islamic economy and what does this mean in practice? We seek the views of a respected panel.
Moderator:
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Dr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad, Regional Chief Representative, DDCAP Group™
Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, CEO, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation
Dr Mohamed Damak, Managing Director and Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Mohd Ekmal Mohd Zazi, Regional Head, Wholesale Banking, CIMB Islamic Bank
Sherif Elmansy, Banking Products Director, ITS
How is Islamic banking advancing through the growth of Islamic fintechs and the utilization of technology? Where and how will the region’s new digital Islamic banks create competitive advantage, and how are incumbent Islamic banks responding? How is new technology improving data management, risk assessment, compliance and UI/UX for Islamic banks? How is digital transformation increasing efficiency through enhanced systems and processes in bank treasury and investment functions? Are Islamic banks facing challenges in terms of liquidity creation and liquidity risk management, and how can technology assist?
Moderator:
Ravi Kittane, Partner, Ernst & Young Consulting
Panelists:
Ahmed Roshdy Zaki, Manager, Liquidity and Investment Division, Islamic Development Bank
Ammara Masood, Global Industries GM, Banking and Financial Services, Systems Limited
Anoop Sonpar, Head of New Business ASEAN and South Asia, Temenos
Bilal Parvaiz, CEO, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Sazul Samsuri, CTO Digital Banking, Head of Digital Innovation, KAF Investment Bank
How can the performance and impact of Malaysian Islamic capital markets and Sukuk be further enhanced? How significant is the re-emergence of the regulatory capital Sukuk market for the region’s Islamic financial institutions? Can more be done to supply the market with high-quality liquid assets, and to what extent would this contribute to building a yield curve unique to Islamic issuers? How do we deploy Sukuk to further support banking and non-banking financial businesses? What are the potential opportunities offered by tokenization in Islamic capital markets? Finally, how can green and sustainability linked Sukuk and other innovations flourish?
Moderator:
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Senior Vice-President, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings
Panelists:
Ahmet Tacer, Capital Markets and Investment Banking Director, Golden Global Investment Bank
Frederik Wijsenbeek, Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Vemi Capital
Dr Muhammad Issyam Ismail, Assistant Vice-President, Islamic Wholesale Banking, CIMB Islamic Bank
Yasir Gorpe, Senior Investment Specialist – Fund Manager, Islamic Development Bank
In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal speaks about the evolving landscape of Islamic finance in the Philippines, exploring the recent inauguration of Maybank's Islamic banking branch in Zamboanga. They delve into its potential impact on local economies and the broader Islamic finance industry.
Tawarruq remains a key tool in Islamic finance despite ongoing debates around its structure. In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Elias Moubarak discusses the legal challenges, regulatory developments and cross-border complexities of Tawarruq, offering insights into its flexibility and future prospects.
Private credit strategies are gathering momentum among Islamic investors. In this episode with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan, Walter Gontarek, CEO of Channel Capital Advisors, explores different Shariah compliant private credit strategies, opportunities and prospects of this exciting asset class.
What are the key technological integrations and partnerships that are reshaping regional Islamic asset management, and how are regulators responding to innovation? How are AI and machine learning remodeling asset allocation and how is the implementation of tokenization set to change the industry? What represent the latest Shariah compliant digital assets in use today, and are ECF and P2P platforms fulfilling their potential regionally? What are recent product innovations based on precious metals, and are they significant?
Moderator:
Shah Fahad, Deputy Director-General, BTD International Fund House
Panelists:
Ali Allawala, Head Islamic Banking – UAE and Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Khalid Howladar, Chairman, MRHB DeFi
Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer, Injaz Capital
Saleh Al-Tamami, Co-Founder and CEO, Mamun
Umair Javed, Chief Business Officer, Fasset
How is private capital influencing regional financial markets? How is private credit transforming GCC corporate financing, and what approach should regulators take? What are opportunities for private equity investment and how can this market be effectively navigated? What are opportunities for early-stage Shariah compliant venture capital, and can the success of global venture funds be emulated regionally? How have regional Islamic REITs and property funds performed and what is the likely evolution of these vehicles? Finally, with many infrastructure funds being Shariah compliant, how can this powerful source of capital be harnessed for GCC infrastructure development?
Moderator:
Dr Scott Levy, CEO, Yasaar Capital
Panelists:
Anita Wieja-Caruba, Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Dr John Sandwick, General Manager, Safa Investment Services
Oliver Agha, Professional Associate, Outer Temple Chambers
Zakaria Karkouri, Executive Director – Structuring and Product Development, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Zohaib Patel, Managing Partner, Tenami Capital
What represents a holistic and efficient Islamic investment ecosystem, and what is an effective regulatory environment to foster growth for the sector? What are notable recent developments in global Islamic investment management, including those influencing investment patterns, asset allocation and product innovation? What role is technology playing in the evolution of Islamic asset management, and what are the key challenges and opportunities? How are savings and investment rates being stimulated in the GCC, and are suitable Shariah compliant products being developed to meet market needs? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Frederik Wijsenbeek, Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Ethos Invest
Panelists:
Arsalan Tariq, Partner and Head of Banking and Finance, BSA Law
Fahd Chaudhry, Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek, Director, Group Head Institutional and Islamic Asset Management, Kenanga Investors
Oliver von Wolff, Founder and CEO, Helion Capital
Shah Fahad, Deputy Director General, BTD International Fund House
Takaful Oman’s CEO Neelmani Bhardwaj shares insights into the burgeoning Islamic insurance sector of the Sultanate, as well as Takaful Oman’s expansion plans in the short and medium term, with IFN’s Nessreen Tamano in this podcast episode.
In this IFN Podcast episode, Munirah Khairuddin, the country head and CEO of Principal Asset Management Malaysia speaks to Nessreen Tamano of IFN about the rising popularity and impact of digital investing, especially in the context of Shariah compliant finance, in Malaysia and around the world.
Estate planning is a major challenge in Malaysia, with the upper bound of frozen assets estimated at RM90 billion (US$19.36 billion). In this episode of the podcast, Marlena Kareem, the editor of ISFI, speaks to Ariffin Sabirin, the founder of Wasiyyah Shoppe, and Khairul Nisa Ismail, CEO of Sedania As Salam Capital, about how they are collaborating to address the Muslim estate planning challenge with the Hibah instrument.
The mainstreaming of digital lending has overhauled the risk landscape for banks and financial institutions. How should the finance industry adapt? In this episode, Vineeta Tan speaks to Guru Raghavendran, the senior vice-president of banking practice at Azentio Software, to explore this topic.
Carbon credits are positioned as a potential avenue to alleviate some of the global climate pressures emanating from carbon emissions. But they are not without critics. Are they a viable asset class and how can we best optimize carbon credits and offsets? My name is Vineeta Tan, the managing editor of IFN. To understand this, in this episode, Vineeta Tan speaks to Professor Lisa Wilson, the managing director of XTCC, a Shariah compliant investment platform for carbon credits; and Dr Scott Levy, the managing director of Al Waseelah and founder of XTCC.
Air Selangor issued its largest SRI Sukuk to date in October 2023. In this episode, Marlena Kereem, the editor of Islamic Sustainable Finance and Investment, sits down with Kevin Lee Shih-Min, the head of finance and strategy at Air Selangor, to talk about this landmark issuance and its SRI Sukuk strategy moving forward.
There is a noticeable shift from traditional bank financing toward alternative financing across multiple asset classes in the GCC and beyond, which is resulting in the rise of instruments such as venture debt funds. In this episode, brought to you by King and Spalding, Asal Saghari and Mike Rainey explore this trend, bringing us expert insights and analyses to help us understand this shift and how it impacts the financing landscape. Nathan Kwon joins as a special guest.
There are areas of opportunities in the Islamic private equity and venture capital space, particularly in the GCC and Southeast Asian regions, where Lim Say Cheong, the CEO of Saudi Venture Capital Investment Company, has focused on in the last decade. He shares his insights with IFN in this episode with Nessreen Tamano.
reNIKOLA Solar II issued the world's first Climate Bonds Initiative-certified Sukuk in September this year. Marlena Kareem, the editor of ISFI, speaks to Khong Ho Ming, the executive director and COO of reNIKOLA, about this landmark issuance.
The Islamic insurtech sector in Malaysia is still relatively small, but CEO of Ouch!, Shazy Noorazman, believes that more players will emerge as the digital Takaful opportunity is hard to ignore. Shazy discusses the prospects and pain points of the industry in this episode with Vineeta Tan.
Ratings play a significant role in the voluntary carbon market space. Marlena Kareem, the editor of ISFI, speaks to Ronan Carr, the chief research officer at BeZero Carbon, about the role of ratings in the carbon market, its recent issuance of the world’s first pre-issuance rating for a carbon project as well as the mispricing of carbon credits.
What steps are necessary to ensure Islamic sustainable investors are offered a common definition of climate risk standards in ASEAN? What is driving innovation of Islamic sustainable and social finance and investment products, and are we successfully creating products which satisfy both Shariah and ESG requirements? How do systematic tilts in portfolio allocation resulting from Shariah screens influence ESG integration in the development of Shariah-screened ESG funds? What is the role of the asset management sector in directing capital to social causes, and how can Waqf be further deployed to facilitate this? How are investors using ESG data and indices to benchmark and measure portfolio performance and is data still a challenge for the industry? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Amit Pathak, Director, Head of ESG Index Products for Asia Pacific, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Shahariah Shaharudin, President, Saturna Malaysia
What is driving the shift toward transition and sustainability-linked bonds and Sukuk issuance, and how do we maintain this momentum? What options do the deployment of sustainability-linked financing structures offer issuers, and are they properly understood? How do we better identify viable underlying assets for transition and sustainability-linked issuance, while also verifying the actual uses of proceeds? What role does transition and sustainability-linked finance play in the development of sustainable projects and infrastructure development? How can adherence to KPIs in the post-issuance process be assured and what tools are available for this purpose, such as second-party opinions and external review? We seek the views of an expert panel.
Moderator:
Marlena Kareem, Editor, Islamic Sustainable Finance & Investment, REDmoney Group
Panelists:
Dr Ayaz Ismail, Director – Wholesale Banking, CIMB Islamic Bank
Basheer Ahmad, Listing Authority, Markets, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Jeffrey Lee, Vice-President, Regional Manager APAC, Sustainable Finance, Moody’s Investors Service
Millie Yap, Director, Debt Capital Markets, HSBC
Dr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad, Regional Chief Representative, DDCAP Group
- Do currently available taxonomies adequately address sector-specific transition concerns and what are salient additions to later versions?
- Assessing disclosure requirements and developing an effective climate change curriculum for financial institutions
- How are governments and exchanges enabling the trading of carbon credits, and what are the objectives and benefits of such initiatives?
- Defining the role of the financial sector in facilitating an effective energy transition in conjunction with the National Energy Policy
- How will the pace of adoption of ESG by SMEs impact the banking sector and capital markets?
Moderator:
Sharifatul Hanizah, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia
Panelists:
Bilal Parvaiz, Executive Director and Head Islamic Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Louis Booth, APAC Commercial Lead, Sylvera
Mohd Ekmal Mohd Zazi, Regional Head, Wholesale Banking, CIMB Islamic Bank
Sedef Gunsur, Senior Investment Officer, Financial Institutions Group, International Finance Corporation
Interviewee: Azman Mokhtar, Chairman, Malaysia International Islamic Finance Centre Leadership Council
Interviewer: Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Former Deputy Chief Executive, Securities Commission Malaysia
What does a successful strategic roadmap for advancing transition look like? Are current policies and actions sufficiently aligned with climate risk? Are the various climate taxonomies conflicting or complementary, and how do we offer a clear and consistent message? Are tax and operational cost incentives for companies and issuers sufficient, and are current regulatory frameworks encouraging product and market innovation? Finally, how do we effectively position and market Islamic sustainable finance and investment, and what would represent meaningful goals for the sector?
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Lim Beng Guan, Executive Director, reNIKOLA Group of Companies
Mushtaq Kapasi, Managing Director, Chief Representative Asia-Pacific, International Capital Market Association
Nor Masliza Sulaiman, Deputy CEO, CIMB Investment Bank
Raja Amir Shah Raja Azwa, CEO, HSBC Amanah
Keynote Address
Dr Awang Adek Hussin, Executive Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia
UK-headquartered Autarky Sukuk's latest offering serves investors looking for a Shariah compliant investment based on real estate in the UK. Co-founders Shoaib Bux and Yasin Patel speak to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about the challenges and opportunities in the market.
With significant growth being seen in new and alternative funding activities, Malaysia has an opportunity to create a competitive advantage. What does enhanced access for new Shariah compliant P2P and ECF operators and solutions mean for the digital finance marketplace, and what opportunities are available to retail investors? What sectors are prime beneficiaries for such investment and how do we ensure new sources of financing flow to the vital SME sector? What is on offer from private equity and venture capital, and how effective will new regulatory guidelines designed to increase access to private capital prove to be? Finally, what does the development and evolution of digital assets such as digital currencies, tokens and new forms of crowdfunding mean for the Islamic financial services sector in Southeast Asia?
Moderator:
Shabnam Mokhtar, Managing Director, SHAPE Knowledge Services
Panelists:
Elain Lockman, CEO and Co-Founder, Ata Plus
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Dr Wong Huei Ching, Executive Director, Digital Strategy and Innovation, Securities Commission Malaysia
Does Malaysia still enjoy a competitive advantage in the facilitation of ethically and socially responsible investment management? What strategic steps should be taken to grow Shariah compliant assets under management domestically? How do we assess the growing influence and potential offered by Waqf-featured funds such as REITs and ETFs? What is the continuing role of technology in the development of Shariah compliant investment management solutions, and is the sector successfully democratizing access for retail investors? How do systematic tilts in portfolio allocation from Shariah screening affect how ESG integration is approached, and how significant are initiatives such as the S&P ESG Shariah Indices? Lastly, how do fund and asset managers ensure effective liquidity risk management processes, and do managers require clarity on Shariah governance guidelines?
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Ahmad Fuad Alhabshi, Executive Director, Halogen Capital
Dr Aishath Muneeza, Member, Board Shariah Committee, CIMB Islamic Bank
Amit Pathak, Director, Head of ESG Index Products for Asia Pacific, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Kaleon Leong, CEO, Federation of Investment Managers Malaysia
How does Malaysia fully leverage on its reputation as an international center for innovative Shariah compliant transactions and structured finance products? What is the potential for Islamic syndicated finance — distribution and the development of regional secondary markets? Do additional Tier 1 Sukuk still offer Islamic financial institutions the most flexible and efficient way of satisfying regulatory capital requirements? How do we ensure issuances continue to feature Islamic tranches, and that Islamic finance is a mainstream way of funding large projects? How do we capitalize on the rising significance of the Islamic pre-IPO, IPO, ECM and corporate finance markets? Finally, what is the continued importance of Waqf and Tawarruq within Islamic financial market structures, and how influential are alternatives such as Wakalah?
Moderator:
Elias Moubarak, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:
Basheer Ahmad, Listing Authority, Markets, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Dr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad, Regional Chief Representative, DDCAP Group
Mohd Ekmal Mohd Zazi, Regional Head, Wholesale Banking, CIMB Islamic Bank
Mushtaq Kapasi, Managing Director, Chief Representative, Asia Pacific, International Capital Market Association
How will the design, development and distribution of digital Islamic financial services continue to evolve in the near term? How significant is continued transformation among the traditional providers of Islamic financial products? How important are financial regulators in creating an environment for the enhancement of the financial services sector’s digital infrastructure? How is the development of systems and software for Islamic financial institutions driving scale, integrity and efficiency? What are regional, scalable opportunities for digital Islamic financial offerings? How is technology helping provide banking products for underserved and untapped segments such as the young, SMEs and B2B markets? Is a banking model based on simpler, customer-centric services a reality?
Moderator:
Saujatya Guin, Country Director, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Temenos
Panelists:
Dima Djani, Group CEO, Hijra
Jamaludin Bujang, Managing Partner (Malaysia), Gobi Partners
Mohammad Hafiz Jamaluddin, Head of Halal Integrated Platform, Halal Development Corporation (HDC)
Rafiza Ghazali, Director, Digital Banking, KAF Investment Bank
Malaysia’s top-down and ‘Islamic first’ strategy has been highly successful as Islamic financial services continue to flourish. What strategies at a governmental, regulatory and institutional level will maintain this success? Does the Islamic financial services sector face a structural imbalance, and how does this impact Islamic financial institutions? What do digital transformation strategies mean for the sector, and what is the ongoing influence of value-based intermediation? Where does Islamic finance play a role in the development of the Halal economy, and are Islamic financial institutions well positioned to serve the corporate and SME sectors? Does Islamic finance need to build appeal and maintain competitiveness in this segment? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Senior Vice-President, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Investors Service
Panelists:
Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, CEO, CIMB Islamic Bank
Dr Bello Lawal Danbatta, Secretary-General, IFSB
Dr Hurriyah El Islamy, CEO and Founder, HGC Firm
Dr Rusni Hassan, Professor and Dean, IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance (IIiBF)
The past few years have seen some landmark deals and transactions in the Omani Islamic finance and Sukuk markets, and this trend can be expected to continue, Asad Qayyum, a managing partner at MAQ Legal, tells IFN's Nessreen Tamano in this podcast episode.
Ahmed Ali Al Maamari, Executive Vice-President, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman
- Evaluating opportunities for crowdfunding in Oman, with nine current providers and potential amendments to crowdfunding legislation.
- Unique to Oman: new opportunities for private equity and venture capital players in the crowdfunding ecosystem.
- Implications and reach of the proposed new digital and virtual assets regulatory framework.
- Building a digital marketplace and ecosystem: tokenization, ICOs, regulation and Shariah principles.
- Potential developments for standalone Islamic digital banks in Oman.
Moderator:
Dr Muhammad Suhail Rizwan, Assistant Professor and Team Head: FinTech Professional Certificate, College of Banking and Financial Studies, Oman
Panelists:
Kemal Rizadi Arbi, Expert/Advisor, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman
Khalid Howladar, Chairman, MRHB DeFi
Dr Khalid Tahhan, Co-founder, Easy Coins
Mayan Al Asfoor, Country Manager, Beehive Oman
Saleh Al-Tamami, Co-Founder and CEO, Mamun
- What represents a blueprint for advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy via effective stakeholder collaboration, regulation, resource allocation, positioning and product innovation in the Omani financial services sector?
- What are the implications for the Islamic sustainable financial services sector of the introduction of various regulatory taxonomies, frameworks and standards?
- How will new bond and Sukuk regulations, as part of the executive regulations to the Securities Law, accommodate and facilitate sustainable finance in Oman?
- What are current tax and operational cost incentive frameworks for the development of Islamic sustainable finance and investment products in Oman? Are they effective, and what more can be done?
- The juxtaposition facing the GCC: funding the hydrocarbon sector, while simultaneously developing a thriving green and sustainable finance sector
- Are we sufficiently capitalizing on the powerful synergies between sustainable finance and Islamic finance and how do we effectively position the sector?
- What are important criteria in the development of Islamic sustainable finance and investment products, and are we successfully developing products which satisfy both Shariah and ESG requirements?
- What approaches are large regional institutional investors taking to sustainable finance and investment, and what can be learnt from this?
- How do we fund clean energy, sustainable activities and social projects in Oman such through an effective, liquid Islamic capital market?
- How do we continue to measure impact from green and sustainable issuance? What tools are available for issuers and investors for this purpose?
Moderator:
Luma Saqqaf, CEO, Ajyal Sustainability Consulting
Panelists:
Asad Qayyum, Managing Partner, MAQ Legal Kemal Rizadi Arbi, Expert/Advisor, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman Khalid Al Kayed, CEO, Bank Nizwa Shahariah Shaharudin, President, Saturna Malaysia Talha Ahmed Khan, Country Manager and Head Global Investment Unit, Pak Oman Investment Company Thamer Al Shahry, Partner, Said Al Shahry & Partners
The Capital Market Authority of Oman is working on new and updated regulations for virtual assets and the bond and Sukuk markets of the Sultanate, advisor Kemal Rizadi Arbi tells IFN's Nessreen Tamano in this episode.
- The reach and implications of new regulations for the issuance of bonds and Sukuk on products and markets.
- Discussing the potential issuance of a treasury Sukuk and how it would benefit the Omani Islamic capital market.
- Examining the Towell Infrastructure Projects syndicated Wakalah, and what the structure means for the Islamic finance market in Oman.
- Developing the Islamic equity capital market in Oman, and capitalizing on recent domestic IPO activity.
- How will new bond and Sukuk regulations accommodate and facilitate sustainable finance?
- Restructurings and refinancings in the Sultanate — the role of the Islamic capital market.
Moderator:
Luma Saqqaf, CEO, Ajyal Sustainability Consulting
Panelists:
Mohamad Noranuar Sajari, Head of Shariah Structuring, Bank Nizwa
Suad Al Balushi, AGM – Head of Treasury and FI, Oman Housing Bank
Vinod Sadhwani, General Manager, Treasury, MB Holdings
- Building on the success of Shariah compliant real estate investment funds and trusts domiciled in Oman, as well as direct investment into real estate assets in the Sultanate.
- Opportunities for regional Shariah compliant funds domiciled in Oman: equity, Sukuk and private equity funds.
- Private equity and venture capital investment — framework enhancements, cross-border and foreign direct investment opportunities.
- Changes to fund regulatory frameworks resulting from the executive regulations to the Securities Law, and implications for various fund structures.
- Exploring the potential for the application of Waqf to Islamic funds in Oman.
- The prospects for Islamic sustainable investing in the Sultanate.
Moderator:
Mike Tirman, Partner, Ice Miller
Panelists:
Anand Raghavendran, Head of Asset Management, BankDhofar
Hassan Ali Ansari, CFO, Takaful Oman
Salman Kabani, Sr. Head of Enterprise Risk and Strategy, Bank Nizwa
Shahariah Shaharudin, President, Saturna Malaysia
Talha Ahmed Khan, Country Manager and Head of Global Investment Unit, Pak Oman Investment Company
Kumail Ali Moosa, Senior Specialist, Fund and Portfolio Management, Sohar International Bank
- Reviewing the 10-year journey of formalized Islamic finance in Oman and navigating the coming years through the strategic development of the Omani Islamic financial services ecosystem.
- The role of Islamic finance in the development of the private sector in Oman.
- Key market developments: remunerative deposit accounts, a potential treasury Sukuk and the introduction of Wakalah money market liquidity management tools.
- Key regulatory issues: the treatment of Islamic banks after mergers with conventional institutions, and the Shariah governance framework and audit guidelines.
- An overview of new regulations for the issuance of bonds and Sukuk in Oman.
- The year of endowment: how Waqf can be further applied to Islamic financial services in Oman.
Moderator:
Asad Qayyum, Managing Partner, MAQ Legal
Panelists:
Ali Hassan Moosa, CEO, Oman Banks Association
Khalid Al Kayed, CEO, Bank Nizwa
Kemal Rizadi Arbi, Expert/Advisor, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia
Thamer Al Shahry, Partner, Said Al Shahry & Partners
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 and social impact? What are investment managers doing to address green, social and impact washing? Finally, what is the impact of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR) and changing materiality thresholds for achieving Article 8 and 9 classifications? We ask an expert panel.
Moderator:
Dr Natalie Schoon, CEO, REDmoney Consulting
Panelists:
Dr Martina Macpherson, Head of ESG Product Management, SIX
Omar Shaikh, CEO, Cocoa Invest
Simon Meldrum, Innovative Finance, Private Sector and Innovation Unit, Partnerships and Resource Development, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Zalina Shamsudin, Head of International Programmes, Climate Bonds Initiative
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 UK Shariah compliant capital? Finally, how can Islamic capital market transactions continue to be structured in accordance with domestic and international regulator-driven sustainability frameworks?
Moderator:
Farmida Bi, Chair, Europe, Middle East and Asia, Norton Rose Fulbright
Panelists:
Khaled Khalifa, Senior Advisor and Representative to the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Luma Saqqaf, CEO, Ajyal Sustainability Consulting
Dr Mohammed Kroessin, Head of Global Islamic Microfinance Unit, Islamic Relief Worldwide
Munirah Khairuddin, Global Head of Shariah Business, Principal and Country Head and CEO, Principal Malaysia
Dr Sutan Emir Hidayat, Director of Islamic Economy Supporting Ecosystem, National Committee for Islamic Economy and Finance
The sustainable finance space is beginning to mature with new regulations being introduced. Marlena Kareem from ISFI speaks to Salmah Bee Mohd Mydin, the executive director of market development responsible for sustainability from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), about the SC’s role in the development and implementation of sustainability regulations in Malaysia.
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
Raza Ullah, CEO, Pfida
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, Ice Miller
Panelists:
Ahmad Shahizam Mohd Shariff, General Partner, Mekar Capital
Nick Edmondes, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Dr Scott Levy, Founder, Al Waseelah
Shakeel Adli, Founder and CEO, Zunikh
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 might be applied: the example of repo and repo to maturity. We ask a respected panel to assess the development of this key market.
Moderator:
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Senior Vice-President, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Investors Service
Panelists:
Ahsan Ali, Managing Director and Head, Islamic Origination, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Asal Saghari, Counsel, King & Spalding
Lim Say Cheong, CEO, Saudi Venture Capital Investment Company
Mohammed Saifullah Khan, CEO, Dar Al Sharia
Nasser Al-Thekair, General Manager, Trade & Business Development, International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation
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 benefit from a modified regulatory model with less capital constraints? Finally, how do we measure and evaluate tangible recent progress achieved by the UK Islamic financial services sector? We seek the views of an expert panel.
Moderator:
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news
Panelists:
Arshadur Rahman, Senior Manager, Bank of England
Dr Mohamed Damak, Senior Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Sultan Choudhury, Advisory Board Member, Islamic Finance Council UK
Dr Usman Chaudry, Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director, Gatehouse Bank
Zakky Bantan, Head of Funding, IsDB
Fabrice Susini, CEO of Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company, talks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about the Sukuk and Islamic finance strategy of the company, whose mandate includes providing liquidity to the real estate finance market, as well as sustainable financing solutions to Saudi homebuyers.
Welcome Address
Alderman Vincent Keaveny, Representative of the Lord Mayor of the City of London
Blue finance is making waves in the sustainable finance space. Marlena Kareem from ISFI speaks to Christina Ongoma, the manager of financial institutions group for upstream advisory services at the World Bank Group's private sector development arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about how the IFC develops blue and thematic Sukuk in emerging markets.
In the aftermath of a global pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, most of the world is bracing for a global recession; but the GCC had been remarkably resilient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. How are current macroeconomic conditions impacting the region’s investment landscape? Vineeta Tan speaks to Akber Khan, the acting CEO of Al Rayan Investments in Doha, to understand what is happening in the region and what Islamic finance opportunities are emerging.
In 2022, after 10 years of being established, Malaysian digital platform for investing and fundraising pitchIN received approval from the Securities Commission Malaysia to list Shariah compliant companies on its platform. Sam Shafie, who is the CEO and Co-Founder of pitchIN, talks to IFN's Emir Zainul about his experience of managing a digital crowdfunding platform in Malaysia, their venture into Shariah compliant services and the firm’s future and beyond.
The use of ChatGPT or generative AI has opened up seemingly limitless opportunities for the Islamic banking industry. Khaled Berjawi, Azentio Software's head of product management of banking and capital markets, shares how the technology is reshaping the sector and weighs on the advantages as well as drawbacks.
Bursa Malaysia launched the Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX) last year as the world's first Shariah compliant carbon exchange. Marlena from ISFI speaks to Dr Chen Wei-nee, the head of carbon market at Bursa Malaysia, about the upcoming launch of BCX trading platform and the Malaysian compliance carbon market.
Carbon offsets are going through a confidence crisis, but APICORP's managing director of corporate banking, Nicolas Thevenot, tells Vineeta Tan that he believes the asset class is here to stay, and Islamic finance will play an important role in this growth story.
Dunya Bashiti, the co-found and CEO of Capifly, talks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about offering Islamic non-dilutive capital to tech start-ups in Jordan and plans to expand into the MENA region, starting with Saudi Arabia.
Malaysian infrastructure conglomerate YTL Corporation has been on Bursa Malaysia’s industry working group for the development of the Bursa Carbon Exchange since 2020. It is also an active carbon credit project developer in Southeast Asia.
Marlena Kareem from ISFI speaks with Ralph Dixon, the executive director of sustainability at YTL and CEO of YTL-SV Carbon, about the development of the Malaysian VCM space, the challenges that the changing regulatory environment poses as well as the opportunities for Islamic sustainable finance.
Malaysia is touted to be a leader in driving the Islamic sustainable finance agenda by its global peers. But has the country fully capitalized on its potential, and how can it harness these opportunities? Vineeta Tan speaks to Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, the head of Islamic capital market development at the Securities Commission Malaysia, to find out.
Description: Saudia Arabia’s Regional Voluntary Carbon Market Company (RVCMC) will facilitate the first-ever Islamic finance transaction with carbon credits as underlying assets this year, according to Riham ElGizy, CEO of the RVCMC. ISFI speaks to the RVCMC CEO to learn about the upcoming deal and the launch of the RVCMC exchange early next year.
Saudi-based BLOMINVEST BANK has launched the GBP300 million (US$384.09 million) SAED Green UK Fund as its debut endeavor in the UK market. ISFI speaks to Abdullah Alrashoud, CEO and managing director of BLOMINVEST BANK, to learn more about the fund.
Gatehouse Bank is looking to launch an additional financing product to existing customers to improve the energy efficiency of their homes this year. ISFI speaks to Andy Homer, the chief customer officer at Gatehouse Bank, to learn about how it works with its partners to develop Islamic sustainable products.
Ficus Capital is targeting to close its inaugural Islamic Southeast Asian Tech Fund in the third quarter of this year. ISFI speaks to Rina Neoh, the managing partner of Ficus Capital, to learn about some of the challenges of managing an inaugural fund as well as how the venture capital firm has shifted its focus toward sustainability.
With escalating geopolitical tension weighing on the global economy, the banking and finance system is under immense pressure. Vineeta Tan speaks to Moody’s Investors Service’s analysts – Alexander Perjessy, Ashraf Madani and Mohammed Ali Londe to understand the implications on the Islamic finance industry.
In this episode, Vineeta Tan speaks to Mohammed Alim, CEO of IBF Net, which built the first Halal metaverse, to understand what the Halal virtual world is all about.
Turkiye’s largest beet growers cooperative brand Kayseri Seker issued a TRY85 million (US$4.44 million) Sukuk in February 2022. The facility was the first Sukuk to use a quota of crystal sugar as an underlying asset and was also the first Sukuk issued by a cooperative in Turkiye. ISFI speaks to Dr Menevse Ozdemir Diliduzgun, the head of corporate finance and advisory at Halk Investment, and Ozgun Ozok, the managing partner of Ozok Law Firm, the legal advisor of the Sukuk, to learn more about this deal.
In a conversation with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan, global finance pundit Andrew Sheng expounds on the ways we could move toward a more equitable and sustainable future including by investing in social enterprises and exploring Shariah compliant equity-based financial models as the current debt-based system is not sustainable.
Dr Aishath Muneeza, who was personally involved in structuring all the corporate Sukuk offered in the Maldives as well as the private sukuk and Islamic treasury instruments for the government of Maldives, talks to IFN's Emir Zainul about the challenges of issuing Sukuk in the Maldives, as she highlights the lack of awareness and legal constraints in the Islamic finance industry in the country.
S Zuhair Naqvi, the founder and CEO of Halal mortgage business EQRAZ, talks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about what he would like to see more of in the Canadian Islamic finance industry in the near future, including more awareness and knowledge on Shariah products by both industry players and customers, and re-building the Muslim community's trust in the Halal home financing sector.
There is increasing pressure on banks to adopt effective climate risk management practices. Vineeta Tan speaks with Madelena Mohamed, the director of Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM)’s Sustainability Unit, to understand how financial institutions in Malaysia are to approach climate risks, within the context of BNM's new Climate Risk Management and Scenario Analysis policy document.
With the upcoming COP28 to be held in a Muslim jurisdiction for the second year in a row, the spotlight is very much on the Islamic finance industry on how it can contribute to the global decarbonization efforts. ISFI speaks to Joe Clinton and Afsha Karim from Allen & Overy about some of the legal challenges Islamic financial institutions face in the green financing space.
In this episode, Vineeta Tan speaks to the co-founders of German Islamic fintech start-up INAIA, Bilgehan Akbiyik and Emre Akyel, to understand how COVID-19 has altered the fledgling Shariah finance landscape in Germany, and how digitalization is playing a vital role in tapping this market.
Shahruladeri Mohamad Adnan, CEO of CIB Capital and formerly the director of business development at the Labuan International Business and Financial Centre, shares insights on Labuan’s Islamic finance industry, particularly the Sukuk market, in this episode of IFN Podcast, with news editor Nessreen Tamano.
ISFI speaks to Rizwan Hussein, CEO and managing director of Salaam Takaful, about the challenges of offering crop Takaful coverage as well as its plans for 2023.
- Opportunity knocks: the dazzling global prospects for Islamic sustainable finance and investment.
- Important considerations in the development of efficacious Islamic sustainable investment products.
- Understanding the structure and benefits of transition, sustainable and sustainability-linked investment products.
- Managing important sustainable investment regulatory, reporting and disclosure requirements for issuers and investors.
- Fit for purpose: measuring the long-term benefit of green and sustainable financial investments and avoiding the issue of greenwashing.
- Stress-testing credit and investment portfolios for climate risk, and the role of regulators.
- With ESG and sustainability continuing to grow in Islamic capital market issuance, when will we see the measurement of impact?
- Are sufficient issuers engaging with independent, third parties to measure green, sustainable and social credentials?
- Are tax environments in the GCC less conducive toward green issuances?
- The digitalization of Islamic financial services: what is working, what is viable and what is not? What do the answers to these questions mean for the evolution of Islamic financial services in Saudi Arabia?
- Does digitalization allow us to better address issues such as product authenticity and the minimization of uncertainty?
- Is the success of neobanks inevitable, and how will they change the market?
- How will the development, provision and distribution of digital Islamic financial services evolve in the near-term?
- How are global regulators creating an environment for the enhancement of the Islamic financial services’ sector digital infrastructure?
- Beyond retail: developing and distributing effective and attractive suites of Shariah compliant digital wealth management, investment and insurance solutions.
- The development of systems and software for Islamic banks: driving scale, integrity and efficiency.
- The tangible benefits of peer-to-peer lending and equity crowdfunding: how these key technologies can be further applied to today’s banking and financial markets.
- The evolution of robo-advisory and digital investment managers: threat to or opportunity for incumbent money managers?
- How are Stablecoins, non-fungible tokens, utility tokens, equity tokens and other digital assets being applied to global financial markets?
- What is the potential for new and structured products based on cryptocurrencies for the global market: ETFs and complex leverage mechanisms such as DeFi?
- Inflation, a rising interest rate environment and the implications for potential issuers of Islamic capital market products.
- What do these factors also mean for the outlook of the global Shariah compliant investment community?
- Evolving Shariah compliant fund and collective investment schemes; ETFs, Sukuk, leasing and trade finance funds.
- The outlook for Shariah compliant direct real estate investment and private equity.
- Beyond listed Sukuk: what are the opportunities presented by the private placement market?
- What options do hybrid or combination Sukuk offer issuers, particularly in asset-heavy industries such as oil and gas, and aviation?
- How do Tier 1 and Tier 2 Sukuk offer financial institutions a flexible, efficient and user-friendly way of satisfying regulatory capital requirements, and what do perpetual Sukuk structures offer such issuers?
- Developing the global Sukuk market: regulation, hedging, risk and liquidity management instruments.
- Pertinent operational issues for the Islamic capital markets: solutions surrounding the transition to risk-free rates.
- Latest thinking on the application of the Murabahah structure to capital markets, with relevance to AAOIFI standards.
- With the demise of LIBOR, is SOFR a good alternative for the Islamic capital market?
- The potential for regional issuance hubs.
Nick Heuzenroeder, CEO of Haven Wealth, talks about the Australian Islamic investment landscape and Takaful market, as well as his company’s plan to launch a Sukuk fund and an Islamic insurance product this year, in this episode of IFN Podcast with news editor Nessreen Tamano.
With the emergence of the first Shariah compliant balanced fund in Singapore to use quant investing technology and ESG screening in Singapore, what is the potential for the development of further such collective investment products in the republic? What opportunities does MAS’s Green & Sustainability Linked Loan Grant Scheme offer corporates moving towards sustainable practices, and does Islamic finance and investment have a role to play? Is there demand for a Shariah compliant home financing solution in Singapore and what is needed to create the momentum for the development of such a product? With a reputation for innovation in verticals such as payment systems, what does Shariah compliant financial technology have to offer in Singapore and what are future areas of competitive advantage? How can Singapore extend the provision of Islamic social finance and does Waqf offer an interesting opportunity? We seek the views of an expert panel.
Why is a united regulatory response to climate risk so important for the financial services industry, and how do we evaluate initiatives that encourage investors to channel capital into sustainable economic activity, and guide government and quasi-government resource allocation towards climate transition and social responsibility? How do we address the implications of various taxonomies, frameworks and standards, and identify what can now be labelled green investments? How can potential green bond and Sukuk issuers successfully connect issues to internal sustainability frameworks? With ESG and sustainability continuing to grow in the Islamic capital markets issuance, when will we see the measurement of impact? Are sufficient issuers engaging with independent, third parties to measure green, sustainable and social credentials? Finally, can we further capitalize on the collaboration between sustainable finance and Islamic finance, and develop suites of investment products that satisfy both criteria?
What represents innovation in the Indonesian Sukuk market: pioneering structures, sourcing underliers, and the transition from ESG to Impact? What options do hybrid or combination Sukuk offer local issuers, particularly in asset heavy industries such as oil and gas, and aviation? How do Tier-1 and Tier-2 Sukuk offer financial institutions a flexible, efficient and user-friendly way of satisfying regulatory capital requirements, and what do perpetual Sukuk structures offer such issuers? How has innovation been incorporated into project and infrastructure finance, particularly regarding concession agreements, cash contributions and investor protection? With ESG and sustainability continuing to grow in the Islamic capital markets issuance, when will we see the measurement of impact? Are sufficient issuers engaging with independent, third parties to measure green, sustainable and social credentials? With the demise of LIBOR, is SOFR a good alternative for the local Islamic Capital Market? We seek the views of an expert panel.
The digitalization of Islamic financial services: what is working, what is viable, and what is not? What do the answers to these questions mean for the evolution of Islamic financial services in Indonesia? How do we evaluate key initiatives designed to modernize and digitally transform the national economy, including the Islamic financial services sector? How has regulation and promotion of Indonesian Islamic crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending platforms created opportunities for the joint ownership of Shariah compliant assets and investment projects? What measures would assist domestic Islamic financial institutions in the further development of Islamic digital retail, wealth management, Takaful and pension offerings in Indonesia? What are notable milestones and achievements in the development of systems and software for Islamic banks and financial institutions? What technology is available to help Islamic financial institutions drive scale, integrity, efficiency and ultimately profitability? What are the potential uses and applications of digital assets in Indonesia’s financial markets today? What are the key risks and issues surrounding digital assets and what is the role of regulators in the development of an efficient digital marketplace in Indonesia? We ask an expert panel.
We offer a critical analysis of the applicability of Islamic financial services to two vital, burgeoning sectors in Indonesia: The Halal economy, and social finance. How large is the Halal economy both domestically and internationally? What are the opportunities for servicing, supplying, financing and managing the Halal economy? Are companies within the Halal economy exclusively using Islamic financial services, and if not, why? What represents effective value chain analysis of the Halal economy and how do Islamic financial institutions position themselves to offer successful financing solutions? Why is social finance important and how can Islamic financial institutions play a role in its growth and development in Indonesia? In a post-pandemic world, what does social finance offer in terms of relief and renewal? How can Islamic social finance be used to stimulate enterprise, entrepreneurship, job creation, healthcare and education, and assist with liquidity and funding for the vital SME sector? With such goals in mind, how does the Islamic financial services sector design effective models and strategies, offer innovative products and measure the impact of these important initiatives?
Astera Primanto Bhakti, Director General of Fiscal Balance, Ministry of Finance, the Republic of Indonesia, Secretary General of the Indonesian Association of Islamic Economists (IAEI)
With the Bangladesh Sukuk market achieving several firsts in 2021, what is next for this burgeoning sector, and what effects will tax and regulatory changes have? Will we see further incentives and how can corporate issuers be encouraged to embrace Sukuk as a form of mainstream financing? How should Bangladesh further employ Shariah-based green and responsible financing solutions in response to important challenges, such as limiting climate change, alleviating poverty, and driving financial inclusion? How are Islamic financial institutions in Bangladesh employing technology to help the unbanked, while also improving end-user experience across a range of financing activities? Finally, as a fast-growing, export-driven economy, what role should Bangladesh’s Islamic banks play in the facilitation of international trade, and what financing tools do local small and medium companies require?
How should Pakistan further employ Shariah-based green and responsible financing solutions in response to important challenges such as limiting climate change, alleviating poverty, and driving financial inclusion? What does the evolution of green Sukuk mean for potential issuers in Pakistan? How can Pakistan encourage the development of effective Islamic sustainable funds and investment products? Finally, what is the potential for private sector financing of Shariah-based green infrastructure projects in Pakistan?
In conjunction with the State Bank of Pakistan’s Licensing and Regulatory Framework for Digital Banks, and with five digital banking licenses available in 2022, how will the development, provision and distribution of digital Islamic financial services evolve in Pakistan? How can Islamic finance in Pakistan successfully capitalise on technological innovation? What is the status of conversions of conventional banking institutions/branches to Islamic? What is the outlook for Islamic banking in Pakistan amidst these conversions and the expansion of existing outreach?
What is social finance, why is it important and how can Islamic financial institutions play a significant role in its growth and development? In a post-pandemic world, what does social finance offer in terms of relief and renewal, and what real-life examples are there of this in practice? How can social Sukuk be used to support enterprise, entrepreneurship, home ownership and job creation, as well as healthcare and education? What has worked towards these goals in other countries and what can be learnt from these achievements? How can Islamic social finance be deployed to assist with liquidity and funding for the vital SME sector? Can Islamic social finance play a role in the evermore consequential issue of food security, simultaneously helping the underprivileged and micro-enterprises? With such goals in mind, how do we design effective models and strategies, offer innovative products and measure the impact of these important initiatives?
We pose a series of high-level strategic questions to senior representatives of Islamic financial services industry. How can Islamic finance and investment create a genuinely competitive advantage in key areas such as retail, commercial, corporate banking and wealth management? Are there inhibitions and limitations the industry needs to acknowledge and overcome? Does Islamic finance want to become mainstream, or are we content with the plausible alternative label? What’s really working in financial technology, and who ultimately benefits: financial institutions, consumers, or both? Is the success of neo-banks inevitable, and how will they change the market? Having witnessed the remarkable growth of ESG and sustainable finance, on reflection, are there things Islamic finance could have done differently?
How has the evolution of regional equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending platforms created opportunities for the joint ownership of Shariah compliant assets and investment projects? How is technology increasing SMEs’ access to Shariah compliant capital, while also widening the investor base? What does the growth of digital investment management (DIM) platforms and robo-advisory mean for investment managers, and what new opportunities are available for Shariah compliant savers and investors? What are the potential uses and applications of digital assets in Southeast Asia’s financial markets today? What are the key risks and issues surrounding digital assets, P2P and ECF and what is the role of regulators in the development of an efficient digital marketplace in the region? We ask an expert panel.
What represents innovation in the contemporary Sukuk market: pioneering structures, sourcing underliers, and the transition from ESG to Impact? What options do hybrid or combination Sukuk offer issuers, particularly in asset heavy industries such as oil and gas, and aviation, and why have such structures been so successful in the Gulf? How do Tier-1 and Tier-2 Sukuk offer financial institutions a flexible, efficient and user-friendly way of satisfying regulatory capital requirements, and what do perpetual Sukuk structures offer such issuers? How has innovation been incorporated into project and infrastructure finance, particularly regarding concession agreements, cash contributions and investor protection? With ESG and sustainability continuing to grow in the Islamic capital markets issuance, when will we see the measurement of impact? Are sufficient issuers engaging with independent, third parties to measure green, sustainable and social credentials? With the demise of LIBOR, is SOFR a good alternative for the Islamic Capital Market? We seek the views of an expert panel.
The digitalization of Islamic financial services: what is working, what is viable, and what is not? What do the answers to these questions mean for the evolution of Islamic financial services in Southeast Asia? With new neo-banking licenses in Malaysia, how will the development, provision and distribution of digital Islamic financial services evolve in the near-term, and what models will be deemed successful? What further measures would assist domestic Islamic financial institutions in the modernization and digital transformation of Islamic retail, commercial, Takaful and pension offerings? What are notable milestones and achievements in the development of systems and software for Islamic banks and financial institutions? What technology is available to help Islamic financial institutions drive scale, integrity, efficiency and ultimately profitability? Finally, is technology being fully utilized to address key customer concerns surrounding authenticity and the minimization of uncertainty? We ask an expert panel.
In this episode, IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan speaks to Dr Umar Oseni, the CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM), to discuss the current state of liquidity management for Islamic financial institutions and IILM’s 2023 plans.
Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia has launched Malaysia’s second cloud-native Islamic digital bank, underscoring yet another promising development in the Islamic digital banking space. Vineeta Tan caught up with Arsalaan (Oz) Ahmed, CEO of Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia, to find out about the bank’s digital journey and what it means to the Islamic banking narrative in Malaysia.
Industry players in the Islamic and sustainable finance space consistently highlight standardization, or the lack thereof, as a main challenge for the asset class to scale up. To understand the regulatory context and how we can move forward as an industry, Vineeta Tan speaks to Kristina Alnes, the director and head of product strategy of CICERO Shades of Green.
ESG ratings play a critical role in sustainable finance and investment. To learn about the role of sustainability ratings in the Islamic sustainable finance and investment space, ISFI speaks to Magdy Eissa, the vice-president of IdealRatings, a data, screening and ratings provider with a focus on sustainability and Islamic finance solutions.
Several market developments in the UK including the closure of Islamic retail banking branches and the suspension of certain Shariah compliant financial products have caused concerns over the state of Islamic finance in the UK. To understand what is going on and what the future holds for the UK, we sit down with Wayne Evans, a senior adviser for International Trade and Investment to TheCityUK, an industry advocacy group promoting the financial and related professional services industry of the UK.
What specific challenges face the Islamic, sustainable investor, and what opportunities? As an industry, how do we continue to widen our investor base through the development of appealing investment products that satisfy both ESG and Shariah compliance requirements? How do we capitalize on the green ambitions of Shariah compliant asset owners, institutional investors and investment managers, and take tangible steps to align investment portfolios with taxonomy driven sustainability goals? Can investment and credit portfolios be effectively stress-tested for climate risk, and how do investors satisfy disclosure and data reporting requirements? How can investors more accurately measure the impact of investments made, and what are investors now expecting from issuers in terms of ESG awareness, innovation and compliance? In a highly competitive market, how can investors effectively use ESG data and indices to accurately value portfolios and measure performance? We seek the views of an expert panel.
ESG and sustainability continue to dominate issuer funding strategies. What is a realistic assessment of the instruments and routes on offer to Shariah compliant green issuers, from green bonds and Sukuk, to transition instruments, to sustainable and sustainability linked products? What are key strategic considerations for green bonds and Sukuk issuers: proceeds; process for project evaluation; management of proceeds; reporting; and external review. Why are these metrics so important to issuers and investors alike? With ESG and sustainability influence continuing to grow in the Islamic capital markets issuance, when will we see the enhanced measurement of impact? Do enough issuers engage independent third parties to measure and assess claims of sustainable, green and social credentials, and how can this be increased? How do we fund clean energy, sustainable activities and important concepts such as food security through an effective, liquid Islamic capital market?
• How Islamic finance can contribute towards meeting sustainable development and climate goals
• Innovative Shariah-compliant sustainable finance products and solutions to facilitate transition to a greener and low-carbon economy
o Green financing – sustainability-linked financing, term financing, mortgages, hire-purchase, credit cards
o Capital Market – Green sukuk, sustainability linked sukuk, ESG Funds, ESG ETFs, FinTech
• Enhancing and leveraging on Islamic finance to ensure just transition
• Issues, challenges and priorities facing the financial sector in driving climate-related actions, alongside key impediments and gaps in the demand and supply of green solutions, products and services
• Facilitating collaboration between stakeholders, alongside enhancing Shariah-compliant and sustainable finance global thought leadership and capacity building capabilities, in advancing the climate agenda
There has been, in the past couple of years, a strong push in Saudi Arabia for both Shariah compliant financing and SME funding, and the results are encouraging. In this podcast episode, Paul Melotto, CEO of Shariah compliant financing company Alraedah Finance, talks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about the Saudi market.
In the backdrop of Norton Rose Fulbright lending a hand to UK charity Save the Children to access Zakat funds, the firm’s global chair, Farmida Bi, discusses the significance of the initiative as well as shares her two cents on the state of ESG finance within the context of the Islamic finance industry.
We pose a series of high-level strategic questions to senior representatives of the UK Islamic financial services industry. What is Islamic finance’s response to a rapidly shifting macroeconomic environment, and will inflation lead to innovative Islamic financial solutions? What form and scale might this innovation take? How can UK Islamic finance and investment create a genuinely competitive advantage in key areas such as retail, commercial, corporate banking and wealth management? How are UK Islamic retail banks innovating customer acquisition and retention strategies, and how successful have these been? Are there inhibitions and limitations the Islamic financial services industry needs to acknowledge and overcome? Does Islamic finance want to become mainstream, or are we content with the alternative label? What’s working in financial technology, and who ultimately benefits: financial institutions, consumers or both? Is technology being fully utilized to address key customer concerns surrounding authenticity and the minimization of uncertainty? Having witnessed the growth of ESG and sustainable finance, on reflection, are there things Islamic finance could have done differently?
Moderator:
Stella Cox, Managing Director, DDCAP
Panelists:
Michael Rainey, Partner, King & Spalding
Dr Mohamed Damak, Senior Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Mohammed Paracha, Head of Middle East, Norton Rose Fulbright
Richard Thomas, Managing Director, Sustainable Economy
Dr Usman Chaudry, Chief Risk Officer and Executive Director of the Board, Gatehouse Bank
IFN Africa Dialogue 2022
•With ESG now driving financial innovation on the continent, what role will the symbiosis between Islamic finance and sustainable finance continue to play?
•How can financial institutions facilitate the development of financing and investment products that satisfy both green and Islamic credentials?
•With Sovereign Sukuk playing a leading role in African Islamic capital raising, what are the prospects for Islamic capital markets in Africa the coming year?
•What are investors seeking from Sukuk issuers in terms of innovation, structure, pricing and ratings, and what of other funding mechanisms such as syndicated lending and private placement?
•What is the evolution of Shariah compliant collective investment products available to investors, pension-holders and savers in Africa?
•With Africa as a favored existing investment destination, what are we seeing in the areas of Shariah compliant private equity and real estate investment, and are there further opportunities on the continent?
•With technology creating innovative Shariah compliant digital financial offerings what roles are being played by the new financial technology companies, as well as incumbent financial institutions?
•What products and business activities are still ripe for digital transformation in Africa and what of important activities such as microfinance?
•How will important ideas such as equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending transform early and later stage Shariah compliant corporate funding, and what steps should regulators take to drive this exciting sector?
Moderator:
Abdulkader Thomas, Director, SHAPE Knowledge Services
Panelists:
Akeem Oyewale, CEO, Marble Capital
Dr Hassan Suleiman, Head of Economic Research and Policy Management, Securities and Exchange Commission, Nigeria
Agrarius Sustainability Engineered listed its inaugural Sukuk worth ZAR500 million (US$28.15 million) on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange on the 28th October 2022. ISFI speaks to Fatima Vawda, the managing director of 27four Investment Managers, to learn about this issuance.
The UK's fintech scene is vibrant and has great potential to grow, while demand in the real estate sector from Islamic investors remains high, Managing Associate Lingxi Wang and Associate Leena Payyappilly tell IFN's Nessreen Tamano in this podcast episode.
How are the key features of Oman Vision 2040 enabling growth of the Islamic banking and finance markets in Oman? How have successful regulatory initiatives contributed to Oman’s Islamic banking sector constituting more than 15% of the total banking market share? Will the new domestic Islamic banking landscape ultimately lead to enhanced product offerings and customer experience? Considering recent regulatory amendments to healthcare Takaful, how will the Omani Takaful sector continue to develop, and do Sukuk offer a viable funding route for Takaful companies? How will Shariah compliant financial technology, including the new crowdfunding platforms, further contribute to the transformation of the domestic financial services sector? Finally, now how significant will green and responsible finance be in the coming year for the domestic Islamic financial services sector?
With notable consolidation in recent years, what is a realistic assessment of the current Qatari Islamic financial services ecosystem, including banking and Takaful, and what opportunities and challenges now present themselves for the sector? With Qatar emerging as a leading Islamic fintech centre, how significant is the work of the Qatar FinTech Hub’s acceleration and incubation programs, and what other important initiatives are now taking shape in the country? With Qatar also looking to bolster its status as a Sukuk issuance hub, what steps can the country take to make Sukuk a mainstream financing option for corporate and financial institutions? How are Shariah compliant funding options being employed for infrastructure and large-scale projects in Qatar, and what is the potential for private sector financing of Islamic sustainable infrastructure, energy and tourism projects?
Moderator:
Simon Chan, Counsel, K&L Gates LLP
Panelists:
Aymane doukali, Head of Islamic and Structured Finance, Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)
Husain Alkhaja, GCC Regional Director, DDCAP
Mourad Ali Mizouri, MENA region Senior Division Manager (Business Development), The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC)
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Vice President – Senior Credit Officer, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Investors Service
Sabir Ahmed, Executive Director Islamic Origination, Standard Chartered Bank
Dr Vladimir Malenko, Islamic Finance Advisor, Bedford Row Capital
Despite rising inflationary pressures and the threat of a global recession looming, Islamic funds and investment activities are picking up, according to Barry Cosgrave, a partner at legal firm Mayer Brown. Vineeta Tan speaks to Cosgrave to get a sense of how Islamic investors are behaving during this global downturn.
Positioning ESG and Sustainable Finance and Investment - Policy, Regulation and Action (Session One)
Why is a united regulatory response to climate risk, such as that offered by JC3 and The Value-based Intermediation Financing and Investment Impact Assessment Framework (VBIAF), so important for the financial services industry as a whole? How do we evaluate initiatives designed to encourage investment and resource allocation into sustainable economic activity? How do we address the implications of various taxonomies, frameworks and standards, and identify what can now be labelled sustainable investments? Should taxonomies recognise and reflect market-specific regulations, and are we presenting a clear, consistent message? What industry-led measures would address and mitigate current challenges, such as greenwashing and inconsistent reporting standards? How can potential sustainability bond and Sukuk issuers successfully connect issuances to internal sustainability frameworks? Are there avenues to further capitalise on the synergies between sustainable finance and Islamic finance?
Chung Chee Leong, president/CEO of Cagamas, sits down with Vineeta Tan to discuss the national mortgage corporation's plan to support Malaysia’s sustainability ambitions as well as the critical role (Islamic) financial institutions play in driving the agenda forward.
What are the global investment flows and trends that continue to influence the deployment of Shariah compliant capital in north America today? What are recent significant developments in north American Shariah compliant private equity, and can we identify potential targets for private equity investment in the US market? What are the latest opportunities and demands for Shariah compliant direct investment into north American real estate markets? How significant is the private placement market in the North American Shariah compliant investment landscape? What structures are being employed to facilitate Shariah compliant investments in north America, and what investment types and asset classes are in favour? Can we identify geopolitical events, international developments and transactions that may influence future investment trends, and what are other potential areas for the deployment of Shariah compliant capital in the north American market? We seek the views of an expert panel.
Malaysia has seen a surge of Islamic peer-to-peer (P2P) finance service providers in the last 12 months. One of the latest entrants is Funding Societies. Vineta Tan speaks to Chai Kien Poon, the Malaysian country head for the P2P financier, to understand both its Islamic finance as well as neobanking ambitions.
As we move into the tail end of 2022, we are globally facing an increasing number of climate- related challenges, from the devastating floods in Pakistan to the looming energy crisis in Europe. ISFI speaks to Marcel Omar Papp, the Head of Swiss Re Retakaful Malaysia, to learn more about how sustainability risk impacts Takaful and re-Takaful operators.
The Securities Commission Malaysia launched the Sustainable and Responsible Investment linked Sukuk Framework on the 30th June 2022 as an extension of its initiatives under the SRI Roadmap to facilitate fundraising by companies in addressing sustainability concerns. We are joined by Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, the executive director of Islamic capital market development at the SC, to learn more about this framework.
There are many opportunities to build better tools to support the Islamic investor in their personal finance journay, says Saad Malik, the CEO and co-founder of Halal stock screening app Zoya, in this week’s episode of IFN Podcast, with news editor Nessreen Tamano.
CIMB Islamic Bank recently entered into a RM1 billion (US$224.74 million) sustainable collateralized commodity Murabahah (CCM) transaction with Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia. We spoke to Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, CEO of CIMB Islamic, on the back of this landmark deal to understand its structure and significance.
With soaring inflation compelling the government to raise interest rates, yet unemployment at historic lows, Australia finds itself in a rather unique predicament. Vineeta Tan speaks to Muzzammil Dhedhy, the COO of Hejaz Financial Services, to find out how such macroeconomic conditions are impacting Islamic financial activities in Australia.
The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) launched the QFC Sustainable Sukuk and Bonds Framework in March 2022. The framework is part of the financial center’s efforts to develop Qatar’s debt capital market, which seeks to emulate the success of the Malaysian capital market. We speak to Aymane Doukali, the head of Islamic and structured finance at QFC, about how the framework will impact sustainable issuances in the region.
General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI) launched its Sustainability Guide for Islamic Financial Institutions on the 12th May 2022, following the issuance of its corresponding consultative document in March.
In this episode, we speak to Dr Abdelilah Belatik, the secretary general at CIBAFI, about how the sustainability guide will impact Islamic financial institutions.
There have been some significant developments recently in the Tanzanian Islamic finance industry, particularly in the Sukuk and Takaful sectors, which Salum Awadh, CEO of SSC Capital, discusses with IFN’s Nessreen Tamano in this week’s episode of the IFN Podcast.
The future looks good for Indonesia's Islamic finance and banking industry, given the support it has been receiving from the government. Things are also looking up for Bank Muamalat Indonesia following a restructuring exercise, as Achmad Kusna Permana, CEO of the bank, discusses with IFN's Nessreen Tamano in this episode.
The first-ever green Sukuk facility to come out of Turkey was issued by state-owned Emlak Participation Bank in late 2021, and the bank is now preparing to issue another one in two months. Esma Karabulut, the head of investment banking and investor relations at Emlak Participation Bank, talks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about the nascent green Sukuk market in Turkey in this episode of the IFN Podcast.
We are seeing mixed projections for the different sectors of the global Islamic finance industry. For example: A strong growth momentum for Shariah compliant banking assets, resilience within the Islamic insurance and Shariah funds sectors, and weaker Sukuk volumes. In this episode, Ashraf Madani, a vice-president at Moody’s Investors Service, navigates the Islamic banking and finance offering a clearer picture of what the year has in store for Islamic finance.
When robo-advisors started becoming a reality in the investment space, many pundits hailed them as a disruptor of traditional financial services, but have they actually 'disrupted' the industry in the Middle East where analysts say has only captured a fraction of its digital potential? In this episode, Vineeta Tan speaks to Omar Shaikh, the founder and CEO of Cocoa Invest, an Islamic robo-advisor regulated in Bahrain, to understand the Shariah digital investment space in the Middle East, particularly the GCC.
Digital investment management or robo-advisory is growing phenomenally in the US – but what is the reality like with Islamic robo-advisors? In this episode, IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan speaks to the founder and CEO of US-based Aghaz Investments, Khurram Agha, to get a picture of the Shariah compliant robo-advisory market in the US to understand the gaps and prospects.
The Nigerian Sukuk landscape has a busy year ahead, as regulators tighten up guidelines for issuances and both the government and the private sector turn to the Islamic debt capital market for its financing needs. Dr Akeem Oyewale, CEO of Marble Capital, talks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about what we can expect in 2022 from Nigeria in this episode of the IFN Podcast.
Compliance has a cost – and this also true in the case of Islamic sustainable finance. In this episode, we speak to Farmida Bi, the chair for Europe, Middle East and Asia at international legal firm Norton Rose Fulbright and the firm’s European Islamic finance head, to understand the regulatory landscape for Islamic sustainable finance.
We speak to Jennifer Schwalbenberg, chief governance office of DDCAP Group, a market-leading Islamic intermediary firm which has positioned sustainable and ethical finances its driving force. Jennifer elaborates how the UN PRI Signatory is tackling the Islamic sustainability agenda, which could be an example for other market players.
How does one miniaturize the Islamic economy? One tech company is attempting to do that. IBF Net Group, which has a presence in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Dublin is on a mission to leverage technology to create a Halal ecosystem with a focus on Islamic social finance. In this episode, we speak to CEO-designate Mohammed Alim to find out more about the blockchain projects the group has rolled out and understand the role of technology within the Islamic sustainable finance narrative.
Khurram Hilal, Standard Chartered Bank’s CEO of global Islamic banking, describes Islamic and sustainable finance as a match made in heaven. In this episode, Khurram walks us through why he thinks this sector is ripe for the picking and share with us Standard Chartered’s Islamic sustainable finance strategy.
Sustainable finance is touted as the future of the Islamic finance industry. But how has the asset class fared so far? What innovation are we seeing in this space? Which markets are leading? In this episode, we speak to Bashar Al Natoor, the global head of Islamic finance at Fitch Ratings to canvas the global Islamic sustainable finance landscape
Sustainable and green Sukuk are the poster child of the Islamic ESG sector. But what are the factors an issuer needs to consider before tapping this asset class? In this episode, we speak to Chung Chee Leong, the CEO of Cagamas, the National Mortgage Corporation of Malaysia. Cagamas is the country’s largest debt issuer, which has also issued Sustainable Sukuk, to explore what issuers can learn from Cagamas’ experience.
Islamic sustainable finance is a very compelling proposition. But while it looks good on paper, it is harder to materialize in reality. In this episode, we speak to Dr Scott Levy, the CEO of Bedford Row Capital, and Professor Kevin Haines, Bedford Row Capital’s head of social policy, to understand if there is a hesitancy among Islamic issuers to enter the sustainable finance space and how we can overcome this.
We often use the terms ethical finance and Islamic finance interchangeably. But there are meaningful differences between Shariah compliant finance and the wider sustainability concepts, which also translates into performance differences. In this episode, we speak to Michael Orzano, the senior director of global equity indices at S&P Dow Jones Indices, to understand these distinctions and explore if taking the Islamic ESG road is worth the cost.
Craig Reeves, the founder of Prestige Funds, talks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about the hunt for yield in the sustainable Islamic investment space, as well as the overlap between Shariah compliant and sustainable asset management, in this episode of the IFN Podcast.
In this episode, Shakeel Adli, a partner and the global head of Islamic finance at CMS, provides his analysis on the global real estate market which, while it has been impacted by the global health crisis, has performed considerably well as Islamic investors grow in sophistication.
Despite the pandemic which has caused project delays globally, the Islamic project finance has performed relatively well. Mohammed Paracha, the head of the Middle East of Norton Rose Fulbright, however, notes that there are immediate challenges the industry must take stock of.
Shariah compliant syndicated financing facilities have become an attractive option for many corporates and entities in the MENA region, as Samer Eido, a partner at Allen & Overy with a focus on banking and finance in the Middle East, discusses with IFN’s Nessreen Tamano in this episode of the IFN Podcast.
The world of offshore finance is shrouded in mystery, and controversy. But offshore finance centers are gaining in popularity including within the Islamic finance community as they offer a host of attractive incentives including ease of issuance and tax favorability. Vineeta Tan speaks to Ayman Khaleq, co-leader of the Middle East practice of global law firm Morgan Lewis, also the winner of the IFN Best Offshore Finance Law Firm of the Year 2021 award. Ayman helps us understand how this asset class has evolved within the Shariah finance space.
More and more, we are seeing Sukuk issuers and Islamic finance transactions featuring green and sustainability elements in Malaysia and around the world. Azman Othman Luk and Kelvin Loh of Rahmat Lim & Partners discuss with IFN’s Nessreen Tamano what can be expected in this area.
In this episode, IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan sits down with Muneer Khan, a partner and the regional head for the Middle East at award-winning law firm Simmons and Simmons, to understand how Islamic fintech deals and the Shariah fintech sector are adapting to a rapidly changing world triggered by the global pandemic.
There is an area of opportunity within the Indonesian Islamic finance and banking sector for Islamic fintechs to bridge the gap between technology and Shariah finance, that ALAMI has pinned its focus on. Dima Djani, the CEO of the Shariah peer-to-peer platform, joins IFN's Nessreen Tamano in a podcast episode to discuss the work needed in this area.
The pandemic has accelerated the digitalization of the Islamic finance and banking industry, and while it is a challenge, Shariah financial institutions have turned to digital solution providers to support their transformation. Mohammed Kateeb, the group chairman and CEO of Path Solutions, speaks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about how these challenges are addressed.
As Hejaz Financial Services gears up to launch Australia’s first fully-fledged Islamic bank pending an official licence from the regulator, its COO Muzzammil Dhedy speaks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about the current status of Islamic finance and banking in the country.
At the start of this 2021, the AAOIFI Shariah Standard 59 on the sale of debt took full effect in several markets including the UAE. The standard impacts both the banking and Sukuk sectors, as it concerns with rollover of debts as well as tangibility ratios of assets. The new rules are seen by some as disrupting Sukuk growth, but some also see this as the right step toward ensuring Shariah integrity of Islamic financial instruments. This is a rather tricky issue.
DLA Piper's Paul McViety and Sohail Ali share their thoughts with IFN'S Nessreen Tamano on how well the global Islamic finance industry responded to the pandemic, as well as the opportunities the industry can take to hold a position of global significance.
The Iran Fara Bourse’s Structured Financial Product Market Manager Neda Bashiri and Strategy Director Mahsa Tavakoli speak to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about the upcoming products and initiatives in the Iranian capital market.
Raheel Iqbal, the managing partner and global product head at Codebase Technologies, speaks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about the challenges Islamic financial institutions have moving into the digital banking space.
Farmida Bi, the chair of Europe, Middle East and Asia at law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, talks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about some of the trends we can expect in the Islamic finance industry in the new year.
It has been a roller coaster of a year, with the pandemic having far-reaching impact across all sectors of the financial markets including commodities. In this episode, IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan speaks to Stephen Openshaw, CEO and managing director of UK-based Eiger Trading Advisors, to find out more about how the Islamic commodities market is doing.
Understandably, it has been a volatile year driven by a variety of factor, most significant of all, the COVID-19 pandemic. So how have these impacted the performance of Sukuk? And what can we expect moving into the new year? Khoo Poh Sim, the head of global Sukuk at BNP Paribas Asset Management Najmah Malaysia, joins IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan on the show to share her thoughts.
In this episode, we speak to Ahmad Shahriman Mohd Shariff, CEO of CIMB Islamic to learn how Malaysian Islamic banks are coping with the fallout of the pandemic, a sovereign credit rating downgrade and what to expect for 2021.
One of the pioneers of values-based banking, leading consultant David Korslund, talks to an early adopter of values-based banking, Arsalaan (Oz) Ahmed, CEO of HSBC Amanah.
Andrew Hauser, Executive Director for Markets, Bank of England delivered his keynote address at IFN UK Forum 2020 . The long-awaited Shariah compliant non-interest-based deposit facility, an instrument years in the making, will be operational in the first quarter of 2021
Khaled Al Kayed, CEO of Bank Nizwa, joins IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan on the show to discuss the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and impending VAT implementation on Oman’s Islamic banking landscape, and also shines some light on what to expect next year.
On 24 Nov 2020, IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan speaks to TFX Islamic CEO Norita Ja’afar to canvas the Islamic supply chain finance landscape as this relatively new area of financing (particularly in the ASEAN region) begins to command more attention especially as the COVID-19 pandemic compels SMEs and corporates to seek more efficient alternative lines of financing to support operations.
On 17 Oct 2020, Christoph Kruecken, the global head of business development at structuring specialist Bedford Row Capital (BRC), speaks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about how BRC is filling a gap in the Islamic liquidity market
In this exclusive episodeof the Moody's podcast for IFN, Christian de Guzman and Alexander Perjéssy discuss sovereign credit perspectives related to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
On 27 October 2020, IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan speaks to Vas Ramanujam, the director of insurance at global insurtech platform Cover Genius to discuss the development of the insurtech industry and what the future holds for Islamic insurtech
On 13 Oct 2020, Matthew Martin, the founder and CEO of investment platform Blossom Finance, talks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about their upcoming Sukuk issuances and Islamic fintech in Indonesia.
Kamrul Tarafder, the president & CEO of non-government organization ASA Philippines, speaks to IFN’s Nessreen Tamano about facilitating Islamic microfinance in the country, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Finance Minister of Luxembourg Pierre Gramegna explains to IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan how and why the Grand Duchy is now closer to becoming the European hub for Shariah compliant finance as the tiny, but formidable, international financial center takes a stronger stance on Islamic and sustainable finance.
Norhizam Kadir, the vice-president of Fintech and Islamic Digital Economy at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, provides his insights into the Malaysian Islamic fintech landscape and how the government agency is rallying support as well as mobilizing resources to build the country’s Shariah fintech proposition at a global scale.
Vineeta Tan speaks to the Dean Gillespie, the CEO of Islamic banking start-up Islamic Bank of Australia, to canvass the landscape and ask when can we expect to see Australia's first fully-fledged Islamic bank?
In this episode, Zalina Shamsudin, the general manager of Capital Markets Malaysia, discusses the entity's strategic plans to boost Malaysia's global
leadership in the Islamic capital market including its recent Malaysia sustainable Finance Initiative and Islamic fintech focus.
IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan talks to Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman Peter Estlin about the UK's position in the global Islamic finance and banking industry.
Nessreen Tamano speaks to Dr.Hurriyah El Islamy of Indonesia's Hajj Pilgrim Fund (Badan Pengelola Keuangan Haji) about its Waqf investment project with the lsDB's Awqaf Properties Investment Fund.