• IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Date: 14th March 2017 Venue: Rixos President Astana

Sponsors & Partners

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Astana International Financial Center (AIFC)

Website: www.aifc.kz

Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is the farsighted initiative of the President of Kazakhstan H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev. The Constitutional Law to establish AIFC was signed on 7 December 2015 by the President of Kazakhstan. The aim of AIFC is to support economic growth and foster the development of financial services in Kazakhstan and the region by enhancing human capital development, providing services in accordance with international standards and best practices of the leading financial centres of the world, and cementing Astana as the financial & logistics hub of the vast Eurasian region.

Following an ambitious goal of becoming one of the top 10 financial centres in Asia, and one of the top 30 financial centres of the world in the long-run, AIFC will focus on development of the following core pillars: Islamic finance, capital markets, asset management, private banking, financial technology and green finance.

Islamic finance is one of the main strategic pillars of AIFC, which requires the implementation of special legal and regulatory framework based on English Common law and in accordance with the Islamic finance principles. AIFC has been appointed to act as the main body for developing Islamic finance in Kazakhstan and CIS region and will serve as the Islamic finance gateway and the Islamic finance Hub of the region.

The key feature of AIFC is the attractive business environment and the presence of a separate legal system based on the principles of the English Common law, according to which the independent regulatory body (Astana Financial Services Authority), the Financial Court and the Arbitration Centre will conduct their operations. This will ensure fairness and justice and will greatly enhance the credibility of Kazakhstan in the eyes of foreign investors. Astana International Exchange (AIX) as part of AIFC infrastructure will also play a vital role in developing Islamic capital market in the region.

Successful development of all pillars will be enabled by provision of modern offices at the premises of international exhibition EXPO 2017 scheduled to be held in Astana in 2017 (from 10 June until 10 September); tax exemption for 50 years (corporate income tax, personal income tax, land tax, property tax); free office rent for 2 years; simplified currency, visa and labor regimes for participants and employees of the AIFC as well as connectivity of Astana with key financial centers around the world via direct flights and open sky policy. AIFC will be fully operational in January 2018.

MULTILATERAL STRATEGIC PARTNERS

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)

Website: www.icd-ps.org

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral development financial institution and is part of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group.

The ICD was established in November 1999 to support the economic development of its member countries through the provision of finance for private sector projects, promoting competition and entrepreneurship, providing advisory services to governments and private companies and encouraging cross-border investments.

The ICD has an authorized capital of US$4 billion. Currently, the shareholders of the ICD are the IDB (50%), 53 Islamic countries (30%) and five public financial institutions (20%).

ICD mandate and objectives

The ICD fosters sustainable economic growth in its 53 member countries by:

  • Financing private sector investment
  • Mobilizing capital in the international financial markets, and
  • Providing advisory services to business and governments. 

The ICD selects the financing projects based on their contribution to economic development considering factors such as job creation, Islamic finance development, contribution to exports, etc. The ICD also provides advisory services to governments and private sector groups on policies designed to encourage the establishment, expansion and modernization of private enterprises, the development of capital markets, best management practices and to enhance the role of the market economy. The ICD operates to complement the activities of the IDB in member countries.

The ICD is rated ‘AA/FQ’ by Fitch Ratings, ‘Aa3/P-1’ by Moody’s Investors Service and ‘A+’ by Standard & Poor’s.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Tel: (966-12) 6361400; (966-12) 6441644

Fax: (966-12) 644 4427

Email: icd@isdb.org

Website: www.icd-ps.org

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation

Website: www.itfc-idb.org

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the IDB Group. It was established with the purpose of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. The ITFC commenced operations in January 2008 and has since consolidated all trade finance businesses that used to be handled by various windows within the IDB Group. Earning an ‘A1’ rating from Moody’s Investors Service reflects the ITFC’s efficiency in service delivery by responding swiftly to customer needs in a market-driven business environment.

Since 2008, the ITFC has provided more than US$40.2 billion of trade financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for the needs of OIC member countries. With a mission of being a catalyst for trade development among OIC member countries and beyond, the ITFC helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity-building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.

 

Contact us at: 

Twitter: @ITFCCORP
Facebook: @ITFCCORP
Linkedin: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)


Tel: +966 12 646 8337
Fax: +966 12 637 1064
E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org
Website: http://www.itfc-idb.org/en

STRATEGIC PARTNER

The RFI Foundation

Website: www.rfi-foundation.org

The RFI Foundation - the industry body for the responsible finance sector

The RFI Foundation has been established with the aim of bringing together various forms of responsible finance practices, encouraging consensus as the basis for convergence between standards, practices and regulations. To do so in an effective manner, financial services must find and share a guiding principle for financial services which is most beneficial when the best ideas are incorporated from various forms of responsible finance, including Islamic finance.

After the financial crisis, it was apparent that the link between risk and reward had been broken and needed to be rebuilt with ethics and morals at its heart. The financial crisis illustrated in stark fashion that ethics and business are not adversaries and that ultimately they need each other.

It is within this context that responsible finance practices can play a powerful role in shaping the future of the global economy. There are various definitions and practices encapsulating the responsible finance sector. These include sustainable, responsible and impact investing (SRI), environmental, social and governance and Islamic finance, which is a form of financial intermediation in which funds are raised and applied using asset-based methods or partnerships in accordance with Islamic law instead of lending and borrowing.

The guiding principle that is shared among all forms of responsible finance is an appreciation that financial services can be a force, and indeed are necessary for sustainable development.

A major opportunity for the RFI is to expand responsible finance by incorporating the positive screening strengths of the SRI industry with the governance and regulatory advances of Islamic finance, and thereby engage asset owners and institutional investors who drive financial services development in a more coherent and unified approach.

EXECUTIVE PARTNERS

DDCAP

Website: www.ddcap.co.uk

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in London, with an office in Dubai and a presence in both Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, DDCAP provides asset facilitation services to over 300 financial sector clients worldwide.

DDCAP is majority-owned and controlled by IPGL, a private holding company with an interest in a number of financial services companies. IPGL is also a significant shareholder in NEX Group (previously ICAP), a leading markets operator and provider of post-trade risk mitigation and information services.

DDCAP has an extensive track record within the Islamic finance industry, employing over 35 professionals with broad and complementary skill sets drawn from diverse financial industry backgrounds.

DDCAP has its own Shariah supervisory board comprising esteemed Shariah scholars from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Kuwait.

DDCAP recently announced the launch of its multi-award-winning Shariah compliant ETHOS Asset Facilitation PlatformTM, a bespoke, real-time trade and post-trade services platform providing 24-hour coverage, enabling clients worldwide to purchase from a diverse asset inventory, including commodities, via a secure, web-based portal.

Finance Accreditation Agency

Website: www.faa.org.my/

The Finance Accreditation Agency (FAA) is responsible for raising the standards and quality of professional learning and development in the financial services industry. As an advocate for the highest quality in internationally benchmarked standards for learning programs, FAA aims to create highly skilled and internationally mobile professionals for the global financial services industry.

FAA is an independent quality assurance and accreditation body supported by Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia) and Securities Commission Malaysia. The process of quality assurance practiced by FAA is underpinned by the FAA Technical Committee which comprises a world-class panel of experts and practitioners from the financial services industry and leading academics.

LEAD MEDIA PARTNER

Islamic Finance news

Website: www.islamicfinancenews.com

Islamic Finance news is the industry's leading, capital markets focused, e-newsletter bringing you unrivalled editorial coverage every week on the global Islamic financial market.

This weekly newsletter provides insightful and intelligent editorial coverage from around the world helping you keep ahead. In addition to a comprehensive weekly review of all the stories from around the globe, interviews, forums, market statistics and data, key industry practitioners contribute via non-biased, educational and up-to-date country and sector reports, giving you a firsthand knowledge and understanding of the Islamic finance markets and instruments from an experts' point of view.

For a trial subscription, please contact +603 2162 7800 or email subs@IslamicFinancenews.com

MEDIA PARTNERS

Business Islamica

Website: businessislamica.com/

Launched in November 2006, Business Islamica is the first monthly magazine of its kind in the UAE, specifically covering all aspects of Islamic business and finance, both regionally and internationally.

The magazine’s objective is to spearhead awareness initiatives, heighten knowledge of its core principles and practices, as well as to feature the latest developments in this industry.

Our editorial covers interviews with key industry leaders, case studies, and includes features on a wide range of topics such as; Islamic Banking, Wealth Management, Takaful (Islamic Insurance), Islamic Retail Finance, Marketing and Branding of Shari’ah-Compliant products, Regulatory Issues, Islamic Business Challenges and Risk Management.

Capital Business

Website: www.capitalbusiness.me

Capital Business Magazine is a B2B English monthly publication focusing on business best practices and is a publication accredited by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). It enjoys a sizable footprint in the Middle East on the strength of feature articles contributed by certified financial and business experts, as well as coverage of a broad spectrum of topics including banking, IT, oil & gas, real estate and construction, human capital, risk management, corporate finance and cash management, corporate governance, investments, IPOs, tools of trade and more.

Executive Women

Website: www.executive-women.com

Executive Women magazine is a memoir portraying inspiring and flourishing women entrepreneurs who are changing the face of business and giving an added value to their social life, as well as daring to pursue their educational dreams and reach new career horizons. Moreover, Executive Women offers managerial ‘coaching’ articles, inspirational experiences, leadership drill, as well as a palette of culture and luxury.

The Business Year

Website: www.thebusinessyear.com/

The Business Year (TBY) is a global media group specializing in economic news, research on national economies, and business intelligence across emerging markets. With operations in over 35 countries, we bring first-hand insights to investors, businesses, and governments worldwide.