Ahmad Najib Nazlan — CEO, Maybank Islamic Asset Management
Akber Khan — Senior Director, Asset Management, Al Rayan Investment
Azizi Ali — Senior Vice-President, Islamic Business, Cagamas
Hanifah Hashim — Executive Director and Head of Malaysia Fixed Income and Sukuk, Franklin Templeton Investments
Dr Hasnita Hashim — CEO, Guidance Investments
Michael Orzano — Director, Global Equity Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices, the US
Mohammad Shoaib — CEO, Al Meezan Investment Management, Pakistan
Monem Salam — President, Saturna Malaysia
Norashikin Kassim — CEO, CIMB Principal Asset Management
Stella Cox — Managing Director, DDCAP, the UK
Stuart Hutton — Chief Investment Officer, Simply Ethical
Tariq Al Rifai — CEO, Quorum Center for Strategic Studies, the UK
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.
Website: www.cimbislamic.com
CIMB Islamic Bank, licensed under Malaysia’s Islamic Financial Services Act 2013, is the main operating entity of the CIMB Group’s global Islamic banking and finance franchise. It operates in parallel with the group’s universal banking platform where it offers Shariah compliant products and services to the group’s wholesale banking, consumer banking, commercial banking and asset management businesses.
CIMB Islamic’s products and operations are managed in strict compliance with Shariah principles under the guidance of the CIMB Islamic Board Shariah Committee, which comprises some of the world’s leading Shariah experts or scholars. CIMB Islamic provides comprehensive and innovative Shariah compliant financial products and services to meet the needs of individuals, small and medium-scale enterprises as well as large institutional customers.
CIMB Group’s Islamic banking and finance business is supported by the group’s network of over 39,000 staff in 16 countries comprising an experienced senior management team and a global team of Islamic banking and financial services professionals in all core components of the Islamic banking and financial services market. CIMB Group also has the most extensive retail branch network in ASEAN, with more than 900 branches as at the 31st December 2016. Outside of Malaysia, CIMB Islamic operates a universal offering in Indonesia and Singapore with a focus in wholesale banking in the other 14 countries.
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:
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
Website: www.bursamalaysia.com
Bursa Malaysia is an approved exchange holding company under Section 15 of the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. A public company limited by shares under the Companies Act 1965, Bursa Malaysia operates a fully-integrated exchange, offering equities, derivatives, offshore facilities, bonds as well as Islamic products, and provides a diverse range of investment choices globally. Bursa Malaysia Securities regulates and operates the securities trading activities in Malaysia, a stock market with more than 900 companies across 60 economic activities. Companies from the economic sectors are listed either on the Main Market for large-cap established companies, or on the ACE Market for emerging companies of all sizes. The exchange adopts the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI values as its main index.
To promote Malaysia as the international marketplace for Islamic finance, Bursa Malaysia has established an Islamic Markets Division, dedicated to the development of Shariah-compliant capital markets products and trading platforms. Bursa Malaysia’s Islamic Markets offer a wide range of Shariah-compliant products and services including Bursa Suq Al-Sila (BSAS), Shariah-compliant Equities (i-Stocks), Shariah-compliant Exchange-Traded Funds (i-ETFs), Islamic Real Estate Investment Trusts (i-REITs), Sukuk and Exchange-Traded Bond and Sukuk (ETBS).
For more information on Bursa Malaysia, visit www.bursamalaysia.com.
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.
Website: https://www.eigertrading.com
Eiger Trading Advisors (Eiger) is a UK-based asset-trading and technology company founded in 2008, which specializes as an intermediary in Islamic financial products.
As a leading intermediary and technology provider within the commodity Murabahah space, Eiger has the unique capabilities to deliver Shariah compliant commodity trading solutions through the Eiger Trading Platform (ETP), a web-based trading system, that we tailor to our bank clients’ exact operational requirements.
The ETP automates the structuring and execution of Islamic banking products for wholesale and retail commodity-backed transactions, including two new enhanced modules:
Eiger is authorized and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, and is both a member of the London Metal Exchange and an associate of the London Platinum and Palladium Market.
Website: www.emiratesnbd.com/en/
Emirates NBD Group
Emirates NBD is a leading banking group in the region. As at the 31st December 2016, total assets were AED448 billion (equivalent to approximately US$121.94 billion). The group has a leading retail banking franchise in the UAE with more than 219 branches and over 1,012 ATMs and CDMs in the UAE and overseas. It is a major player in the UAE corporate and retail banking arena and has strong Islamic banking, global markets and treasury, investment banking, private banking, asset management and brokerage operations.
The group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UK and representative offices in India, China and Indonesia.
The group is an active participant and supporter of the UAE’s main development initiatives and of the various educational, environmental, cultural, charity and community welfare establishments.
Emirates NBD Capital
Emirates NBD Capital (EmCap) is the investment banking subsidiary of the Emirates NBD Group, licensed to operate in the Dubai International Financial Center. EmCap comprises an experienced team of professionals combining an international perspective with in-depth regional knowledge spanning debt capital markets (DCM), syndicated/club loans, financial advisory, equity capital markets and project finance. The DCM franchise of Emirates NBD is a leading bond and Sukuk house globally and has helped issuers raise approximately US$60 billion in capital market issuances since 2013. The product suite includes Sukuk (rated and unrated), conventional bonds, subordinated structures and private placement transactions.
Website: www.tosan.com
IDCORP TOSAN specializes in the provision of end-to-end banking solutions for both conventional and Islamic financial institutions. TOSAN is the first and market-leading provider of banking software solutions to retail, corporate, private and microfinance banks in Iran.
Operating for more than 17 years, we offer a diverse range of solutions encompassing all major components of the banking process. We are also a leading player in Islamic banking applications and payment solutions incentivized by our direct involvement in the thriving Islamic banking sector in the Middle East.
Our products include Islamic core banking systems, cards and payment solutions along with Islamic credit card systems, virtual banking systems and business intelligence systems. TOSAN serves over 50 financial institutions worldwide and its products have been deployed in medium-sized banks and large-scale credit institutes.
Website: www.idealratings.com/
IdealRatings was incorporated in 2006 in San Francisco with a corporate objective to provide SRI/ESG and Shariah compliant solutions to ethical investors and enable them to identify such instruments across different asset classes in the global market. IdealRatings serves clients in over 30 countries with a range of capital market solutions including:
Website: https://www.moodys.com
Moody’s Corporation:
Moody's is an essential component of the global capital markets, providing credit ratings, research, tools and analysis that contribute to transparent and integrated financial markets. Moody's Corporation (NYSE: MCO) is the parent company of Moody's Investors Service, which provides credit ratings and research covering debt instruments and securities, and Moody's Analytics, which offers leading-edge software, advisory services and research for credit and economic analysis and financial risk management. Both organizations are supported by Moody's Shared Services.
Moody’s Investors Service
Moody's Investors Service is a leading provider of credit ratings, research, and risk analysis. Moody's commitment and expertise contributes to transparent and integrated financial markets, and the firm's ratings and analysis track debt covering approximately 120 sovereign nations, 11,000 corporate issuers, 21,000 public finance issuers, and 72,000 structured finance obligations.
Website: www.oldmutualinvest.com
We are a leading African private investment manager, offering a full complement of both listed and unlisted capabilities, with operations in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Kenya and Botswana.
As an awarding-winning pan-African investor, our customers can benefit from the outstanding investment potential of Africa’s stock exchanges, via both actively managed and index-tracker funds.
We also offer unmatched investment capabilities in non-traditional, unlisted asset classes, including private equity, low-income housing, schools, infrastructure, agriculture, development equity and property. In addition, we offer global Shariah capabilities that are based on an ethical and moral framework, with an excellent Shariah board.
Our investment professionals invest their own money alongside that of their customers in the funds they manage, which means they are single-mindedly focused on growing wealth – both their customers’ and their own – over time. They are also shareholders in their boutiques and are thus committed to the long-term future success of their investment businesses.
We are committed to being responsible investors because, as a long-term investor, we understand how important it is to take environmental, social and corporate governance considerations into account to ensure the delivery of sustainable returns.
Website: www.sabana-reit.com
Sabana REIT was listed on Singapore Exchange Securities Trading on the 26th November 2010. It was established principally to invest in income-producing real estate used for industrial purposes, as well as real estate-related assets, in line with Shariah investment principles. Sabana REIT currently has a diversified portfolio of 21 quality properties in Singapore, in the high-tech industrial, warehouse and logistics, chemical warehouse and logistics, as well as general industrial sectors. Its total assets amount to approximately SG$1.1 billion (US$808.05 million).
Sabana REIT is listed in several indices including the SGX S-REIT Index, the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Index, the Global Property Research (GPR) Index, the FTSE Index and S&P Dow Jones Indices.
Sabana REIT is managed by Sabana Real Estate Investment Management, (in its capacity as the manager of Sabana REIT) in accordance with the terms of the trust deed dated the 29th October 2010 (as amended). Sabana REIT is a real estate investment trust constituted on the 29th October 2010 under the laws of Singapore.
Website: www.trowers.com/
Trowers & Hamlins is an international law firm, headquartered in the city of London, providing full-service integrated offerings. Today, the firm has over 150 partners and over 800 personnel working across the UK, Middle East and Southeast Asia.
With specialist lawyers in the UK, the Middle East and ASEAN, Trowers & Hamlins has been a market leader in the field of Islamic finance for over 20 years. Ranked among the top 10 UK law firms for Islamic finance, our clients include Islamic finance institutions as well as public and private sector organizations.
The ASEAN region is an area of continuing growth for the firm and in response to our expanding client base, we opened a representative regional office in Kuala Lumpur in July 2012 and were granted a branch license in 2015. We are the first international law firm operating in Malaysia.
Our defining characteristics are that we are a friendly and accessible firm which has a commitment to excellence, and which provides a supportive working environment to a wide diversity of individuals.
Website: www.trx.my
Tun Razak Exchange
Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Malaysia’s upcoming financial district, is a strategic enabler supporting the government’s Economic Transformation Program and a catalyst for urban regeneration in Kuala Lumpur. TRX will further develop the city’s role as a financial capital by creating a seamless business environment for financial services firms, multinational companies and supporting ancillary businesses.
TRX will encompass investment grade A office space underpinned by world-class residential, hospitality, retail, leisure and cultural offerings. The entire TRX project is expected to be completed in phases over the next 10-15 years. Phase 1 of TRX, targeted to start operations in 2018/9, will feature office towers, residential towers, five-star hotels, a retail mall and a central urban park.
TRX City
TRX City is wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia and is the master developer of TRX. TRX City ensures global best practices, develops innovative master plans, and integrates smart, sustainable, and future-proofed infrastructure. As the company that leads the project from vision to execution, TRX City undertakes all planning, marketing, enhancement, management and infrastructure provisions for the project to ensure that the overall strategic visions are converted into outcomes and tangible benefits for the nation.
More information can be obtained from:
Website: www.trx.my
Tel: +603 2142 9688
Fax: +603 2142 2323
Email: info@trx.my
Website: www.asl.com.my
ADNAN SUNDRA & LOW was established in August 1975 and has operated under its present name since 1982. We celebrated our 40 th anniversary in 2015 and have been consistently ranked as a premier law firm in Malaysia with capabilities spanning multiple practice areas, including banking and finance, Islamic and conventional capital markets, civil aviation, corporate and commercial, dispute resolution, Islamic finance and real estate.
We have a traditionally strong track record in advising on finance and corporate matters and are experienced in negotiating, structuring and documenting complex and innovative financial and corporate structures, both Islamic and conventional. We have advised on many market-leading capital markets transactions, such as the first stapled securities issuance in Malaysia and the world’s first perpetual Sukuk and are privileged to have received the following awards in recognition of our practice :-
Malaysian Law Firm Of The Year
ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2016
Islamic Finance Law Firm Of The Year
ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2016
Banking and Financial Services Law Firm of the Year
ALB Malaysia Law Awards 2014, 2015 and 2016
Ijarah, Wakalah, Real Estate, Perpetual Sukuk , Equity & IPO,
Project & Infrastructure and Turkey Deals Of The Year
IFN Deals Of The Year 2015
Website: www.cagamas.com.my
Cagamas, the National Mortgage Corporation of Malaysia, was established in 1986 to promote the broader spread of house ownership and growth of the secondary mortgage market in Malaysia. It issues debt securities to finance the purchase of housing loans and receivables from financial institutions, selected corporations and the public sector. The provision of liquidity at a reasonable cost to the primary lenders of housing loans encourages further financing of houses at an affordable cost.
The Cagamas model is well regarded by the World Bank as the most successful secondary mortgage liquidity facility. Cagamas is the largest issuer of private debt securities in the Malaysian capital market. Since its incorporation in 1986, Cagamas has cumulatively issued RM286.5 billion (US$64.38 billion) (as at the 31st December 2016) of bonds and Sukuk, including issuances by its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Cagamas Global and Cagamas Global Sukuk which are also guaranteed by Cagamas.
Cagamas’s debt securities continue to be assigned the highest ratings of ‘AAA’ and ‘P1’ by RAM Rating Services and ‘AAA/AAAID’ and ‘MARC-1/MARC-1ID’ by Malaysian Rating Corporation, denoting its strong credit quality. Cagamas is also well regarded internationally and has been assigned local and foreign currency long-term issuer ratings of ‘A3’ by Moody’s Investors Service that are in line with Malaysian sovereign ratings.
Cagamas Global was incorporated on the 4th April 2014 as a conventional fundraising vehicle incorporated in Labuan to undertake the issuance of bonds and notes in foreign currency, whereas Cagamas Global Sukuk was incorporated on the 5th May 2014 as an Islamic fundraising vehicle to undertake the issuance of Sukuk in foreign currency.
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.
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
Website: www.asia-first.com/
Asia First provides a complete solution for financial professionals and organizations to source, purchase and manage financial news and intelligence products that they need for their business. It is a front-end website featuring extensive free daily and weekly finance news and other resources for professionals, complemented by a corporate back-end procurement platform and marketplace for buying and managing financial publications, data, research and events.
We organize specialized events and provide branding and exposure via our extensive readership and database. A one-stop shop with the following:
Website: www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
OBG offers a comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.
The group’s acclaimed economic and business reports are the leading source of local and regional intelligence, while its online economic briefings provide an up-to-date in-depth analysis. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
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.
Website: www.capitalbusiness.me
Website: www.eurekahedge.com
Launched in 2001, Eurekahedge is the world’s largest independent data provider and alternative research firm specialising in hedge fund databases covering North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Headquartered in Singapore with offices in New York and Cebu, the global expertise of our research team constantly adapts to industry changes and needs, allowing Eurekahedge to develop and offer a wide array of products and services. In addition to market-leading hedge fund databases and analysis, Eurekahedge’s other business functions include hedge fund publications, due diligence services, investor services, and an analytical platform service.
For more information, please visit http://www.eurekahedge.com.
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.
Website: voicesofleaders.com
Voices of Leaders (VL) is a global business network for top executives and companies to Meet, Share and Grow locally, regionally and internationally.
The data-driven business profiles allow you to Meet top executives across a wide variety of industries, sectors and countries. Share your business needs among members looking for specific business opportunities and Grow your business network at a local and international level, while increasing the possibility of creating synergies, and finding partners and investors.
VL is committed to giving leaders from around the world a voice and in response to the demands of the digital age, VL produces interactive ebooks on the countries visited and the networking events it covers.
Website: https://www.unpri.org/
The PRI is the world's leading proponent of responsible investment.
It works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and to support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions. The PRI acts in the long-term interests of its signatories, of the financial markets and economies in which they operate and ultimately of the environment and society as a whole.
The PRI is truly independent. It encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks, but does not operate for its own profit; it engages with global policy makers but is not associated with any government; it is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.
