Musakhadzhaev Sanjar is the Deputy Director of the Department at the Association of Banks of Uzbekistan, where he has been contributing to the development of the country’s banking sector since 2005. He graduated from the Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers and has built extensive experience across government and financial institutions.

Prior to joining the Association of Banks of Uzbekistan, Sanjar worked in the Department of Foreign Economic Relations under the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Republic of Uzbekistan, where he was involved in international and economic cooperation initiatives. He also served at the State Committee for Denationalization and Privatization, gaining valuable experience in economic reforms and privatization processes.

With nearly two decades of experience at the Association of Banks of Uzbekistan, Sanjar has played an active role in supporting the growth and modernization of the banking industry, contributing to initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s financial and investment landscape.

Saibjan Khudayberdiyev has served as Head of the Capital Market Development Department at the National Agency for Prospective Projects of the Republic of Uzbekistan since November 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Law from the National University of Uzbekistan, graduating in 2001. He began his professional career at the Supreme Economic Court of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2002 and later served as a judge at the Tashkent Economic Court until 2011. Over the course of his career, he has built extensive experience across the banking, legal advisory and corporate finance sectors, with a particular focus on financial market regulation and development. In his current role, he is coordinating the development of key legislative reforms, including the draft Law “On Capital Markets” and the draft Law “On Joint-Stock Companies and Protection of Shareholders’ Rights,” supporting the continued modernization and growth of Uzbekistan’s capital markets framework.

Dr. Adnan Aziz is an award-winning Islamic banking and finance professional with nearly three decades of international experience spanning Islamic banking, fintech, Takaful, capital markets, sustainability, and regulatory development. He currently serves as the Managing Director of Inclusive Resource Management (IRM) – a specialized Islamic financial advisory and structuring services firm. In addition, he is the Secretary-General and Chief Program Officer of the Global Islamic Finance Impact Program for Climate, Nature, and Development (GIFIP), a Global South-led blended finance platform mobilizing Islamic capital for sustainable development. Dr. Aziz has held senior leadership and Shariah advisory roles with leading Islamic financial institutions including Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Noor Bank in the UAE, where he led wholesale product development, digital financial services Shariah governance, and Islamic structuring initiatives across multiple jurisdictions. He has also advised regulators, central banks, multilateral institutions, and governments globally on Islamic banking regulation, fintech-enabled Islamic finance ecosystems, Islamic microfinance, liquidity management, and sustainable finance frameworks. A specialist in Islamic product structuring and financial innovation, Dr. Aziz has been involved in structuring and managing multi-billion-dollar Islamic finance transactions globally, including Sukuk, treasury products, fintech solutions, Islamic funds, and social finance platforms. He has also worked extensively on integrating climate, sustainability, and financial inclusion objectives into Islamic finance. In academia, he serves as Adjunct Professor of Practice in Islamic Banking and Finance at Ajman University, UAE, and is a frequent international speaker, trainer, and moderator at global Islamic finance forums and industry conferences. He holds a PhD in Corporate Finance from Loughborough University and is an AAOIFI Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA).

Alisher Djumanov has over 30 years of experience in international advisory, investment banking, venture capital, private equity, and investment management. He is the founder and Managing Partner of ADEX and AD Wealth. Prior to this, Alisher held senior positions at institutions like Credit Suisse First Boston, Lazard, Renaissance Capital, Strategy& PwC, and EY. His global experience working and studying in over 25 countries spans Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Alisher graduated from Columbia University with Master of International Affairs and obtained his MBA from Oxford University.

Alkhazur Tazbaev is a distinguished Shariah advisor and Islamic finance expert, specialising in Shariah compliance, governance, and dispute resolution. He holds several prominent advisory and board positions, including serving as a Shariah Advisor to the Zayed Fund for Entrepreneurship, a Shariah Board Member at Sberbank, and an Islamic Finance Advisor to the Mufti of the Chechen Republic. He is also a member of the Partnership Finance Standards Committee at the Association of Banks of Russia.

In addition to his advisory roles, Alkhazur contributes to the advancement of Islamic finance knowledge as an Editorial Board Member for the Russian translation of AAOIFI Shariah Standards and provides advisory services to a range of Islamic financial institutions.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Shariah from the Islamic University of Madinah and has pursued postgraduate studies at the Higher Institute of Islamic Studies in Cairo. He also completed the Shariah Advisor Fellowship at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) in Riyadh. Professionally, he is certified as a Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA) by AAOIFI, a Certified Islamic Arbitrator and Expert (IICRA), and holds a Professional Certificate in Islamic Fintech from Universiti Sains Malaysia.

Alkhazur is also actively engaged in academia and professional training, serving as a lecturer at Sberbank Corporate University.

Bakhrom Numonov is a banking and financial services executive with more than 20 years of experience in the banking sector in Uzbekistan, with particular expertise in corporate banking, treasury, risk management and Islamic finance. He currently serves as a Board Member of APEX BANK, having previously held the position of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the bank. Throughout his career, Bakhrom has played an active role in the development and modernization of Uzbekistan’s banking industry, with a growing focus on Shariah-compliant finance, fintech and financial inclusion. He is also Chairman of the Association of Islamic Finance and Takaful, where he contributes to industry dialogue, market development initiatives and the advancement of Islamic finance frameworks in the country.

Bakhrom has been closely engaged in discussions surrounding the introduction of Islamic banking legislation and the broader development of Islamic finance infrastructure in Uzbekistan. His professional interests include banking strategy, SME finance, SWIFT and transaction banking, digital finance and cross-border financial cooperation. Bakhrom holds a bachelor’s degree from the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies and a master’s degree from the Banking and Finance Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Bashar Al-Natoor, as the Global Head of Fitch Ratings’s Islamic Finance, is responsible for coordinating all Islamic finance activities across the agency’s sovereign, financial institutions, corporate, structured finance, infrastructure and insurance teams, bringing together dedicated analytical and industry expertise into a centralized and focused Islamic finance group.

Bashar has more than 19 years of experience in the Islamic finance market. Since joining Fitch in 2007, he has overseen Fitch’s Sukuk criteria and Islamic finance practices, undertaken research and written numerous published articles on Islamic finance. He joined Fitch as a Director in the EMEA Corporates Group based in Dubai and was responsible for analyzing EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) issuers, with a focus on Middle Eastern and Turkish issuers in the construction, property and telecommunication sectors.

Prior to joining Fitch, Bashar spent seven years at the IsDB in key roles including Investment Officer in the Treasury Department; Senior Credit Analyst in Risk Management; and Senior Technical Assistant to the Vice-President of Finance and Administration. Before working with the IsDB, he was a Senior Auditor for four years in Arthur Andersen.

Bashar graduated with a Master of Science in Banking and Financial Studies from the Arab Academy for Banking and Financial Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking from Al-Ahliyya Amman University. He is a Certified Bank Auditor, Certified Risk Professional, Chartered Market Analyst and Certified Risk Analyst.

Bekhruzbek Ochilov is an Investment Banking Director at ALKES, specializing in equity capital markets, debt capital markets and mergers and acquisitions in Uzbekistan. He leads transaction execution and advisory, with a strong track record in originating and delivering landmark deals in the local market.

Bekhruzbek has been actively involved in multiple public and private offerings on the Tashkent Stock Exchange including roles in high-profile transactions such as the UzNIF IPO and UzAuto Motors IPO. He has also contributed to innovative financial developments in Uzbekistan including the introduction of forex-indexed bonds and the country’s first green bonds. His experience spans advisory on IPOs and capital raising for leading issuers including work on transactions involving Uzum, Uzbek Mortgage Refinancing Company and other major corporates. In addition to execution, he contributed to the development of new financial instruments.

Bekhruzbek is a Chartered Member (MCSI) of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, a global professional body for members of the financial and investment profession.

Diyor Isroilov is a senior government official in Uzbekistan’s investment promotion ecosystem, currently serving as Deputy Head of Department at the Investment Promotion Agency. He plays a strategic role in advancing the country’s foreign direct investment agenda, leading initiatives to position Uzbekistan as an attractive destination for international investors and capital.

With extensive experience in investment facilitation, project development and public-private collaboration, he has been instrumental in strengthening investor engagement frameworks and enhancing the national investment climate. He also led the development and launch of Uzbekistan’s unified digital investment platform, invest.gov.uz, significantly improving the country’s global investment outreach.

Diyor holds a Master’s degree in International Business and Finance Management from Henley Business School, University of Reading (UK) and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy. He is a recipient of the El-Yurt Umidi Presidential scholarship.

His expertise spans investment promotion, financial markets and international economic cooperation, with a strong focus on driving sustainable economic growth through strategic partnerships and capital inflows.

Assoc Prof Dr Gapur obtained his bachelor’s degree in 2002 and master’s degree in 2004 from the International Islamic University Malaysia, before completing his PhD in 2008. His primary area of specialization is Islamic jurisprudence, with a secondary specialization in Political Science. Since 2008, he has served as a lecturer in the Department of Economics at the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences of the International Islamic University Malaysia, focusing on Islamic commercial law, Islamic banking and finance. Dr Gapur is the author of numerous books and scholarly articles published in ISI- and Scopus-indexed journals. His major publications include The Contractual Framework for Islamic Banking (Russian), Islamic Leadership Today (English), A New Approach in Education for Islamic Finance Awareness in Russia, and Cryptocurrency from a Shariah Perspective. He has also acted as a consultant on multiple projects involving the Islamic Development Bank. In addition, Dr Gapur serves as a member of the Sharia Expert Council at the Sharia Review Bureau and as an independent member of the Supervisory Board of Smartbank, an Islamic digital bank in Uzbekistan. Alongside his native Ingush and Russian, he is fluent in English and Arabic.

Hakan Ozyon is the Group CEO of Hejaz, overseeing a global Islamic financial group managing more than US$4 billion in assets. He has led the launch of Australia’s first and only Islamic fintech and is now driving the expansion of Islamic fintech and digital financial infrastructure into international markets. Under his leadership, Hejaz has grown from a domestic financial services provider into a multi-market platform spanning asset management, fintech and technology-enabled ventures serving Muslim and values-driven investors worldwide. Hakan is a visionary leader with a long-term view of Islamic finance. He believes the future of the industry lies in strong governance, technological independence, and institutions built from within the communities they serve, operating at the same standards as the world’s leading financial organizations. His focus is on building durable systems rather than short-term products, positioning Hejaz as a global financial and digital platform designed to empower individuals, institutions and communities to participate in the modern economy without compromising their values.

Hayotjon Azimov is one of the early pioneers of Islamic finance in Uzbekistan, with extensive experience spanning product structuring, advisory and institutional development. His professional journey began with CIMB Islamic, where he was involved in structuring Sukuk and Islamic corporate financing deals, followed by his role at BNP Paribas Najmah, where he successfully established the bank’s Islamic banking window from the ground up. Specializing in Islamic product structuring, Hayotjon played a key role in setting up and leading APEX Oila Takaful under the Apex Group – Uzbekistan’s first Islamic Family Takaful company offering Shariah compliant protection and savings solutions. He holds the Chartered Islamic Finance Professional qualification from INCEIF as one of the region’s pioneers, a Financial Markets Dealing License from the Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers in Malaysia, a Certified Shariah Adviser and Auditor qualification from AAOIFI (Bahrain) and an Investment Advisory License from NAPP (Uzbekistan). Currently, Hayotjon leads the Advisory Unit at Al Muamalat Consulting, where he supports the establishment and development of Islamic finance operations for banks, microfinance institutions and fintech companies in Uzbekistan and beyond.

Indra Gunawan is an Associate Professor and senior scholar-practitioner operating at the intersection of academia, public policy and financial management innovation. He holds a Doctorate in Management and Business from IPB University, dual Master’s degrees in Law and Economics (LLM/MSc) from Utrecht University and a Master of Computer Science in AI, complemented by undergraduate degrees in Economics and International Relations. His academic journey has been supported by prestigious scholarships including DELTA, DIKTI and PT PLN. Indra has completed executive and leadership programs at Goldman Sachs Investment University, Said Business School (University of Oxford), Cambridge Judge Business School, Utrecht University, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Indonesia’s national leadership program at LEMHANNAS RI. His interdisciplinary expertise across law, economics, finance and technology informs his research and teaching in financial management with specialization in investment management, insurance, pension funds, mutual funds and sustainable digital-impact economics. He is currently based at the Faculty of Economics and Business in the Indonesian International Islamic University, where he advances scholarships in sustainable Islamic finance while supervising postgraduate research and examining doctoral candidates across leading Indonesian universities. Concurrently, he serves as Chief Investment Officer and Member of the Executive Board (2022-2027) of Badan Pengelola Keuangan Haji or the Hajj Financial Management Agency, where he plays a central role in national investment strategy, governance and the development of Indonesia’s Islamic capital markets. Indra’s leadership has been recognized through numerous honours including ESG Warrior 2025, the Green Investment Initiative Award 2024 and the Non-Banking Top Chief Investment Officer Award (Top Brand 2024). His certifications, awards and publications reflect a sustained commitment to bridging theory, policy and practice in sustainable and Shariah compliant finance.

Irodakhon Oripova is an Islamic finance professional with over six years of experience in the industry, including more than four years with IMAN Holding, a leading fintech company specializing in Islamic banking solutions. She is currently a Project Manager at Mezon Kengashi, an Islamic financial advisory firm, where she contributes to the development and implementation of Shariah-compliant financial solutions.

Irodakhon’s expertise spans Islamic banking product development, investment structuring, and innovative solutions such as Islamic Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL). Alongside her professional commitments, she is pursuing a Master’s degree at INCEIF, The Global University of Islamic Finance, further strengthening her academic foundation in the field.

She is also a holder of the prestigious Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA) certification awarded by AAOIFI, reflecting her strong grounding in Shariah governance and compliance within Islamic finance.

James Sadler is Head of Debt Capital Markets & Structured Finance at Oman Investment Bank, based in Muscat, responsible for the origination and execution of public and private debt financing solutions. He has more than 20 years of investment banking experience in Europe, the US and the MENAT region, including 10+ years based in the GCC, and has led the execution of a wide range of conventional and Islamic financing transactions across sovereign, corporate and financial institutions sectors. James has worked on various significant Sukuk offerings from the CEEMEA region, including international and local currency issuances for issuers including the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the Government of Dubai and Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC), as well as senior and capital Sukuk transactions for a number of regional financial institutions. Prior to joining OIB James headed DCM origination for HSBC in Saudi Arabia, and previously held senior DCM roles at Bank of America in Dubai and New York, BNP Paribas in Bahrain, and UBS in London. He holds an MA (Hons) from the University of Oxford.

Leah Weldon-Evans practices in the Financial Markets team of Simmons & Simmons and is based in Dubai. Having been in the region for over a decade, she has extensive expertise in debt capital markets and Islamic finance. Leah has a deep understanding of AAOIFI standards and Higher Shariah Authority requirements. She is a market-leader for Sukuk structuring solutions. Her vast industry experience includes advising on conventional and Islamic debt capital markets, regulatory capital transactions and liability management exercises for sovereigns, government-related entities, supranationals, public and private companies and financial institutions. Prior to joining Simmons & Simmons, Leah worked in one of the world’s largest international financial institutions, as the lead lawyer for Sukuk and regional debt capital markets.

Mukhtar Umarov is Chairman of the Assembly of the Economy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a strategic platform aimed at accelerating the country’s economic development through private sector engagement and international cooperation. Under his leadership the Assembly serves as a bridge between government institutions, businesses, investors, and society, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for sustainable growth. The Assembly focuses on key priority areas including industrial development, investment attraction, education-to-employment integration, and international economic diplomacy. Major initiatives led by the Assembly include the Central Asia Smart City project, Invest Hub, EduJob platform, and the development of export-oriented trade centers. These initiatives are designed to position Uzbekistan as a regional hub for finance, trade, logistics, and innovation. Mukhtar Umarov promotes a development philosophy centered on human capital and his vision emphasizes the importance of knowledge, entrepreneurship, and global integration in building a competitive economy. Through strategic partnerships with foreign investors, international organizations, and local stakeholders, the Assembly aims to transform Uzbekistan into one of Asia’s emerging economic centers, contributing to long-term prosperity and regional connectivity.

Munir Yakubov is the Founder and CEO of Portfolio Investments, one of Uzbekistan’s leading investment banking and advisory firms, which has played a key role in structuring landmark transactions, attracting foreign capital, and advancing the development of the country’s capital markets. He is also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Investment Institutions and a recognized investment banking professional with over 20 years of experience in M&A, privatization, IPOs, and corporate finance.

Murod Khusanov is the Founder & Chair of BetterFuture Group a leading consulting company in the area of agricultural development of Uzbekistan. He also is a founder of Growz and Bizon an AI-powered AgriTech platforms transforming smallholder farming through digital advisory, market access, and financial integration tools. With over 15 years of experience working with organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, OECD and OSCE, he specializes in digital agriculture and sustainable rural development. Murod holds a degree in Agricultural Engineering from Tashkent State Agrarian University and an MBA from ESCP Europe Business School (Paris). He has contributed to research and publications, including articles in Islamic Finance News, focusing on financial inclusion and innovative financing models on connecting small businesses with Sharia-compliant financial solutions, improving productivity, resilience, and sustainable livelihoods across Central Asia.

Muzaffarjon Nizamidinov is a seasoned finance professional with over 23 years of hands-on experience across diverse markets, including Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Tanzania, Nigeria, Turkmenistan, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. His career is distinguished by a strong focus on practical implementation, institutional development, and partnership with leading international financial institutions. Muzaffarjon brings deep expertise in Islamic banking, SME lending, and cash-flow-based credit methodologies, supported by more than a decade in senior managerial roles. He has successfully led the establishment of Islamic banking operations, including the creation of Islamic windows within conventional banks, and has played a key role in structuring Shariah-compliant financing solutions across the MENA and CIS regions. His extensive project portfolio includes the completion of 10 Islamic window implementations in Central Asia and leadership of eight bank branches in Azerbaijan, where he consistently maintained high-quality loan portfolios. He has also worked closely with institutions such as ICD, EBRD, KfW, and IFC, contributing to private sector lending programmes and the adoption of international environmental and risk management standards. A specialist in credit systems and institutional strengthening, Muzaffarjon has developed lending procedures, designed MSME and rural finance products, and trained and coached financial professionals through both classroom and on-the-job approaches. His practical, results-driven approach to capacity building and risk management has supported sustainable growth across multiple financial institutions. He holds a Master’s degree in Bank Management and Marketing, a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, and multiple certifications in Islamic finance and risk management.

Okan Ünverdi is the Chief Operating Officer at Mobven, a specialized technology firm focused on mobile financial services and digital transformation. With over 20 years of experience in software engineering and IT leadership, Okan oversees the operational strategy and product delivery for the company’s suite of mobile payment and banking solutions.
Prior to his appointment as COO, Okan served as Mobven’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In that role, he was responsible for scaling the firm’s technical capabilities and leading the engineering teams through a period of significant growth and technical evolution.

With deep expertise in cloud architecture, secure digital payments, and software-defined networking, Okan focuses on bridging the gap between technical complexity and business value. He is a strong advocate for lean management and sustainable software development practices, ensuring that Mobven’s digital products remain both scalable and user-centric for global clients in the finance and retail sectors.

Okan is a recognized contributor to the technology ecosystem, frequently sharing insights on fintech innovation and the evolution of engineering leadership.

Otabek Aliaskarov is a fintech expert with 19 years of experience, including over 9 years dedicated to launching and scaling financial projects from the ground up. He specializes in cross-border lending, and payment products, as well as Islamic finance and digital financial services. He has hands-on experience in developing Shariah-compliant fintech solutions across multiple jurisdictions. In Russia, he participated in the launch of Salampay, a cross-border payment service designed for Muslim migrants and aligned with AAOIFI standards, where he was responsible for the operating model, product architecture, and partner ecosystem development. In Uzbekistan, he served as CEO of FinSum, a BNPL service offering installment and trade finance solutions structured under Islamic finance principles (Murabahah). Under his leadership, the company developed its core products, established risk management processes, and successfully launched the platform to market. Previously, he held leadership roles at UZCARD, overseeing payment infrastructure development and the rollout of new financial products, and spent around 10 years working in state-owned corporations and private banks. His expertise includes building Shariah-compliant fintech models, digital transformation of financial services, and scaling businesses in emerging markets.

Otabek Nasirov is the Chairman at Central Asian Fintech Association, a member of the expert council at Cyber Park, AICA, and the working groups of the Foreign Investors Council (FIC) under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Otabek actively participates in the development of the fintech market and community in Central Asia, regulatory sandboxes and local legislation of the fintech industry, including education on blockchain technology, convergence technologies such as AI, digital assets, cyber security and others. Represents and lobbies for the interests of the fintech community within key regulators of the digital economy in Central Asia, including ministries of digital technologies, central banks, antitrust agencies, tax and customs authorities, and others.

Otabek is a member of the UMAY Angels Club, ICLUB by Venture Found TA Ventures and cooperates with the Uzbekistan Venture Capital Association (UzVCA), the National Venture Capital Fund (UzVC), the AloqaVentures, the IT Park Ventures, the United Ventures, international venture funds, and business angel communities.

His knowledge and experience are the result of working in international and global companies such as Coca-Cola, Carlsberg Group, General Motors, Ernst & Young, and SIT Learning within the Swiss International Research Institute Schaffhausen Institute of Technology and others. Graduate of the Tashkent State Law Institute, Moscow State University and the Moscow School of Management “Skolkovo”.

Otabek is an ambassador for the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), Chapter Zero Uzbekistan (Climate Governance Initiative | CGI), and Employer Brand Award and Summit (EMBRAS).

Ulan Abylgaziev is an accomplished development finance expert, currently leading the Line of Finance Division at the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, a member of the IsDB Group. With two decades of experience in MSME finance, credit risk management, cross-border investments and Islamic finance development across ICD’s 56 member countries and emerging markets, he has successfully structured and scaled financing solutions exceeding USD 1 billion in the CIS region. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with financial institutions and government stakeholders to mobilize capital, enhance private sector ecosystems, and promote regional integration. At the IFN Uzbekistan Forum 2026, he will offer insights from a practitioner’s perspective on how Uzbekistan can establish itself as a regional hub for Islamic finance and capital markets. This includes leveraging innovative Shariah-compliant instruments, strengthening institutional partnerships, and facilitating cross-border investment flows to advance the country’s strategic development priorities in manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, trade connectivity, and sustainable economic growth in Uzbekistan and across Central Asia.

Ali Ozyon is the Chief Marketing Officer at Hejaz Financial Services, where he leads global marketing, brand strategy and growth initiatives across Islamic finance, fintech and digital platforms. Over the past decade, Ali has played a pivotal role in scaling Hejaz’s assets under management and strengthening the group’s international presence across Australia, the GCC, the UK and Europe. He also spearheads the go-to-market strategy for Halal Money, Australia’s first Islamic fintech platform, successfully driving early market adoption and exceeding initial user growth targets. Ali operates at the intersection of strategic storytelling and technology-driven systems. He has led the development of integrated CRM ecosystems, unified telephony infrastructure and AI-enabled workflows across marketing, sales and client service functions, enhancing operational efficiency and customer engagement. Beyond his corporate role, Ali is the host of the Out of Interest, where he explores high performance, leadership insights and unconventional pathways to success.

Asad Qayyum is a highly skilled dual-qualified corporate and commercial lawyer with extensive multi-jurisdiction experience in a number of sectors of the law including capital markets, funds, conventional and Islamic finance, mergers and acquisitions, natural resources (oil, gas and mining) and project finance transactions.

Asad is qualified as a solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales, a barrister of England and Wales and an advocate of the High Courts of Pakistan. He has over 22 years of experience advising on a broad range of transactions during his time in the UK, Sultanate of Oman and Pakistan. Asad’s expertise is in advising sovereign and sovereign-owned companies and listed and private companies with respect to their debt and equity capital market financings (conventional and Islamic), registration of funds (including real estate investment funds, acquisitions and disposals of hydrocarbon assets – onshore and offshore) and negotiating clients’ commercial (oil and gas) contracts across the globe (including in the UK, Oman, Canada, the Middle East, Pakistan, Cameroon, Tanzania, Namibia, Burundi, Benin, Cameroon, Nigeria and Kazakhstan).

Darius Nass is an Associate Director for Global Equity Indices at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). He is based out of the Singapore office and is responsible for the product management of S&P DJI’s global index suites, including the S&P Global BMI, S&P Global 1200 and S&P Islamic Indices. In his role, Darius leads efforts to develop new benchmarks, promotes existing offerings and regularly publishes market commentary, analytical reports and research.

Prior to joining S&P DJI, Darius was part of the Nasdaq Index R&D team, where he was led product development initiatives for the APAC region.

Darius holds a Master’s degree in Quantitative Finance from Singapore Management University.

With over 23 years of professional experience, Faisal Islam is a recognized leader in digital finance, product innovation, and financial inclusion. Faisal’s work focuses on closing the financing gap for MSMEs through a range of Shariah-compliant digital products, including Islamic consumer financing, Islamic BNPL, invoice financing, agricultural finance, and Islamic card solutions. He has also pioneered the design of AI-driven, Shariah-compliant alternative credit scoring models, aimed at expanding financial access to underserved segments. In addition, he has successfully established regulatory-aligned Islamic financing operations in emerging markets. His expertise spans the full spectrum of product development from Shariah structuring and partner bank enablement to building embedded finance ecosystems, always ensuring alignment with Islamic ethical standards. His initiatives have been instrumental in advancing cashless economies and promoting financial inclusion through innovative loyalty programs, digital onboarding solutions, and incentive-based payment ecosystems. Beyond Islamic finance, Faisal brings a strong background in technology leadership, with extensive experience across banking, fintech, retail, and asset management sectors.

Iskandar Tursunov is the CEO and Founder of Al Muamalat Consulting, with years of experience in the finance and government sectors. He holds the CSAA certificate of AAOIFI (Certified Shari’ah Advisor and Auditor) and is the Founder of the Islamic Finance Professionals Association of Uzbekistan. He holds a Master’s degree in Islamic Finance Practice (MIFP) from INCEIF University and serves as the INCEIF Alumni Ambassador for the Uzbekistan Chapter.

Khusan Khasanov is a seasoned professional in international development and Islamic finance, currently serving as the Field Representative of the IsDB in Uzbekistan. With over two decades of experience in investment promotion, project management and economic analysis, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening the relationship between IsDB and Uzbekistan, overseeing project implementation and supporting visiting missions. Khusan holds a Master’s degree in Marketing Management and a Bachelor’s in Regional Studies from the Tashkent State Institute for Oriental Studies, complemented by a postgraduate certificate in Business Administration from the University of South Wales, UK. He is also a Certified Shariah Adviser and Auditor (CSAA) and has completed numerous specialized training programs in Islamic finance and procurement. Beyond his professional duties, he has contributed to academia as a senior lecturer at several universities, teaching subjects related to Islamic economics and finance.

Patrick Lyons is a partner with the corporate practice. With over 20 years’ experience, Patrick represents life sciences and other healthcare companies, energy companies, banks and financial institutions, sovereign and quasi-sovereign issuers and others in public and private transactions, including IPOs and follow-on SEC-registered transactions, Rule 144A and Regulation S offerings, investment grade and high-yield debt issues, PIPEs and other private placements, green, blue and social bond offerings, rights issues and privatizations. He also regularly advises on voluntary and other restructurings, including sovereigns and corporates, as well as liability management transactions, including tender offers, exchange offers and similar transactions. The Legal 500 UK 2025 recognises Patrick as a “Leading Partner” for Emerging Markets, in addition to ranking him for Debt Capital Markets and Equity Capital Markets-Small-Mid Cap. He is also ranked by Chambers Global 2025, where respondents note he is “super client-oriented and brings in-depth expertise in debt capital markets.”