25th September 2024
EQ Kuala Lumpur
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About The Forum
We are returning to Kuala Lumpur for the flagship IFN Asia Forum, a staple of the region’s Islamic finance conference circuit. Now in its 19th year, the event gathers the brightest and most influential personalities of the industry, bringing quality and relevant discussions to the stage and invaluable networking opportunities.
The region houses some of the world’s biggest Islamic finance powerhouses, boasting the most sophisticated regulatory infrastructure, deepest pool of innovative products and largest market potential driven by favorable demographics.
Fully supported by regulators, leading Islamic financial institutions and multilateral organizations, IFN Asia Forum 2024 will leverage Kuala Lumpur’s position as the center of Islamic capital-raising activities by volume and its diversity of instruments and issuers to explore Halal financing through the banking and capital markets, within the context of current macroeconomic conditions, rising importance of sustainability and digitalization.
An Introduction to 2024
In 2023 we returned to a full in-person program, with record numbers at many of our events – a sign of normality returning to the events industry.
For 2024 we have curated a fantastic lineup consisting of our regular leading events, a return to some markets after a short hiatus, and the introduction of two intriguing Islamic investment events.
We run a mixture of Forums and Dialogues throughout the year, depending on what each market responds best to. Essentially, they’re very similar, with only the structure of the discussion being different. For a partner, there’s no difference.
Our focus remains on delivering the best experience possible for delegates, speakers and partners.
What to look out for in 2024:
- Awards Ceremonies: The IFN Awards are the most coveted in the industry and our two Awards Ceremonies in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur continue to gather the elite form the Islamic finance world.
- Investor Forums: New for 2024, these two large-scale Forums in Dubai and Kuala Lumpur coincide with the launch of our new IFN Investor platform and will provide the perfect setting to discuss and debate the rapidly developing global Islamic investment space.
- UK Forum: Europe’s largest, longest running and most influential Islamic finance event will again return to the glorious Mansion House, under the patronage of the Lord Mayor of London. A truly global event, with key focusses on investment flows, sustainable, product development and Fintech.
- Oman Forum: This is the only annual international Islamic finance event in the stunning Sultanate, and one not to miss if Oman is on your radar. Full regulatory support, and all local banks and intermediaries are in attendance.
- Qatar Dialogues: In partnership with the Qatar Financial Centre, we’ll continue the discussion on the development of Islamic finance in the State and its important role in the global markets.
- Asia Forum: Our flagship event, the IFN Asia Forum is the largest Islamic finance focused event anywhere. Covering all markets and sectors in the region, if Asia is in your plans, this event is a must.
- Indonesia Dialogues: Still the world’s largest Muslim population with massive potential, this is the only international Islamic finance event in the island nation. Opportunities are rife and we’re now witnessing seismic changes in the Islamic finance landscape.
- Turkiye Dialogues: Returning to Istanbul with a physical event for the first time since 2019, we’ve been following from afar the phenomenal growth and development of the Islamic finance industry in the Republic. There’s much to discuss and we’d be delighted if you joined us.
- Saudi Arabia: Saudi Arabia remains the world’s largest Islamic finance center and an important market for IFN. This marks our 12th KSA event where we'll be discussing and debating how the Kingdom can build on its dominance and the role Islamic finance will play towards Saudi Vision 2030.
- Bahrain: Rounding off the year again in beautiful Bahrain for the World Islamic Finance Dialogues, we’ll be reviewing the year just past, previewing the year ahead and discussing the global industry at large.
As always, all Forums will be recorded and posted online for all to view, and all events will be complemented by a comprehensive Post Event Review. .
We’re excited for the new year and look forward to welcoming you to our events and assisting in the continued global growth of the Islamic financial markets.
#IFNEVENTS2024
Forum Agenda
9.00 – 9.05
Welcome Address
9.05 – 9.20
Keynote Address
9.20 – 9.30
Setting the Scene: Drivers of Regional Islamic Financial Services
John Welling, Senior Director Head of Global Equity Indices, S&P Dow Jones Indices
9.30 – 10.40
The Maturing Role of Islamic Financial Services in Southeast Asia
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:Nicholas Edmondes, Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
Panelists:Dr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad, Regional Chief Representative, DDCAP Group
Dr Mohamed Damak, Senior Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
10.40 – 11.00
Coffee
11.00 – 11.55
Opportunity Knocks: Malaysia as an International Centre for Islamic Capital Markets
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
11.55 – 12.50
Seismic Shift: Islamic Banking in Southeast Asia
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 the increasing influence of AI and machine learning driving functions such as data management, risk assessment, compliance and UI/UX? Are Islamic banks facing challenges in terms of liquidity creation and liquidity risk management? Finally, how is climate risk being measured in the banking books of Islamic financial institutions?
12.50 – 13.10
Fireside Chat: Capitalizing on the Influence of Gen AI on Islamic Finance and Sustainable Finance
13.10 – 13.20
Presentation
Mohd Radzuan Mohamed, CEO, Malaysian Takaful Association
13.20 – 14:20
Luncheon
14.20 – 15.10
Structuring and Applying Shariah Compliant Hedging and Risk Management Tools
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?
15.10 – 15.20
Presentation
Khairul Nisa Ismail, CEO, Sedania As Salam Capital
15.20 – 16.10
The Strategic Development of Islamic Social Finance and the Halal Economy
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.
Panelists:Ariffin Abdullah, CEO, Wasyyah 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
16.10 – 15.00
The Role of Shariah-Compliant Alternative Funding and Digital Assets
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?
Panelists:Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO, 1337 Ventures
Jun Jie Yoon, Founder and CEO, Capsphere SME Financing
Forum Speakers
Ariffin Abdullah
CEO, Wasyyah ShoppeBikesh Lakhmichand
CEO, 1337 VenturesDr Hamim Syahrum Ahmad Mokhtar
Deputy Director, Financial Inclusion Department, Bank Negara MalaysiaJohn Welling
Senior Director Head of Global Equity Indices, S&P Dow Jones IndicesJun Jie Yoon
Founder and CEO, Capsphere SME FinancingKhairul Nisa Ismail
CEO, Sedania As Salam CapitalDr Mohamad Zabidi Ahmad
Regional Chief Representative, DDCAP GroupDr Mohamed Damak
Senior Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global RatingsMohammad Hafiz Jamaluddin
Head of Halal Integrated Platform, Halal Development CorporationMohd Radzuan Mohamed
CEO, Malaysian Takaful AssociationNicholas Edmondes
Partner, Trowers & HamlinsNitish Bhojnagarwala
Senior Vice-President, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s RatingsDr Rusni Hassan
Professor and Dean, IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and FinanceDr Suresh Naidu Sadasivan
Director of Communication and Innovation, MasverseAdvisory Board
Ahmad Fuad Alhabshi
Executive Director, Halogen CapitalDr Aishath Muneeza
Member, Board Shariah Committee, CIMB Islamic BankBilal Parvaiz
Executive Director and Head Islamic Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Standard Chartered SaadiqDima Djani
Group CEO, HijraJamaludin Bujang
Managing Partner (Malaysia), Gobi PartnersJun Jie Yoon
Founder and CEO, Capsphere SME FinancingKaleon Leong
CEO, Federation of Investment Managers MalaysiaMohammad Hafiz Jamaluddin
Head of Halal Integrated Platform, Halal Development CorporationMohd Ekmal Mohd Zazi
Regional Head, Wholesale Banking, CIMB Islamic BankDr Rusni Hassan
Professor and Dean, IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and FinanceSaujatya Guin
Country Director, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, TemenosRegistration
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The Previous IFN Asia Forum
IFN Asia Forum 2023
Now in its 18th year, the IFN Asia Forum is IFN’s flagship event which has become a ‘must attend’ business event for Islamic finance professionals from around the world. It is a confluence of the brightest and most influential personalities of the industry, bringing quality and relevant discussions to the stage and invaluable networking opportunities.
Asia is recognized by the world as the bastion of Islamic finance housing the world’s most populous Muslim nation and largest Islamic finance market. With the support of regulators and multilateral Islamic finance organizations, IFN Asia Forum 2023 will take place at the heart of Islamic finance in the region, Kuala Lumpur.
As the center of Islamic capital-raising activities by volume and its diversity of instruments and issuers, the Forum will embody themes exploring Shariah financing through the banking and capital markets from both the perspectives of issuers and facilitators.
About REDmoney Events
REDmoney events designs, organizes and hosts industry-leading conferences, forums, roadshows, seminars and dialogues focusing on the Islamic financial markets across a global, regional and national level. Leveraging an exceptional network of the industry’s elite and supported by the expertise of the REDmoney publishing and seminars divisions, REDmoney Events are able to provide access to a unique array of influential speakers, panelists and participants from a cross-section of the global industry to debate the most significant issues affecting the Shariah compliant financial markets.
REDmoney events are differentiated by their complimentary yet qualified attendance structure, ensuring the highest quality of both delegates and contributors. Comprehensive and cuttingedge, attendance ensures exclusive access to the leaders in their field across all sectors and markets.
The annual IFN Asia and IFN UK Forums are categorically recognized as their continent’s leading industry events since their inception in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The Dialogues series have also become an integral element of the REDmoney events series and have cemented their position as leading, must-attend, events.
In 2024, we welcome the IFN Investor Forums, which coincide with the new IFN Investor portal.
For any inquiries contact us
Our team will be glad to answer any questions you may have about this event.