15th & 16th September 2014
Conrad Hotel, Dubai

About The IFN Global Forum

In 2014, we will launch our inaugural global Islamic financial based forum. This follows HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision to position Dubai as a main player in a bid to create a world-class Islamic economy and REDmoney’s exclusive agreement with the Dubai Economic Council and the Dubai Government to collaborate on strategic projects that will not only support Dubai Government initiatives but will also boost the economy and sustainable economic development in Dubai and the UAE and to facilitate the implementation of the Dubai Government’s agenda on the ‘Islamic economy” issue.

This two-day, practitioner-based, event will be co-organized with the Dubai Economic Council, Dubai Government and other key regulators. All facets of the global Islamic financial markets will be featured either in the main forum hall or parallel sessions. The IFN Working Committee format will play a key role at this event, highlighting the necessity to develop the global Islamic financial industry. The forum is expected to attract the world’s leading practitioners. Dubai is also the strategic location to all key markets of Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The annual IFN Global Forum is expected to be the largest event of the year, boasting industry players from established and up-and-coming markets across the world and bringing together the best and brightest in the industry to discuss key issues on a global platform.

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Forum Agenda

Day 1

08:00 – 09:00

Registration

09:00 – 09:05

Quran Recitation

09:05 – 09:20

Welcome Address

Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar – Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre

09:20 – 09:35

Opening Keynote Address

Professor Datuk Dr Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim – Chief Executive Officer, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation

09:35 – 10:30

The Global Islamic Finance Market: A Five Year Strategy

Global Islamic finance thought leaders share their vision of what the Islamic finance landscape will look like in the next 5 years. Which markets are likely to lead and which sectors will flourish. What challenges lie ahead and what needs to happen now to achieve this vision? What can investors expect from the Islamic investment environment in the next five years. Are forays into emerging markets worth the risk and how should these be assessed?

Moderator:

Jawad Ali – Managing Partner, Middle East Offices, King & Spalding

Panelists:

Emad Al Monayea – Board Director & Chief Executive Officer, KFH Investment Co., Kuwait
Hamid Tehranfar – Vice Governor, Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Murat Cetinkaya – Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Turkey
Professor Datuk Dr Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim – Chief Executive Officer, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation

10:30 – 11:00

Coffee & Networking

11:00 – 11:45

The Dubai Roundtable

As Dubai makes great strides in becoming the capital of a world class Islamic economy, its various regulatory bodies have embarked on specific missions to ensure its success. What opportunities will this create for the global Islamic finance industry? What sector-specific development can be expected and what role will Dubai play in facilitating this? What synergies exist between the various Islamic economies and how can the industry be strengthened? This crucial roundtable session will explore the immense prospects and challenges that lie ahead in achieving this vision.

Moderator:

Dr Abdulrazak Faris Alfaris – Chief Economist, Economic Policy & Research Centre, Dubai Economic Council (DEC)

Panelists:

Aamir Rehman – Managing Director, Fajr Capital Advisors
Ayman A Khaleq – Managing Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
Chirag Shah – Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer, DIFC Authority
Hussein Hassan – Managing Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, JP Morgan Chase Bank
Kamran Sherwani – Head of Sharia Training, Dar Al Sharia Legal Financial Consultancy
Monem Salam – President, Saturna, Malaysia

11:45 – 12:00

Keynote Presentation: Banking Regulations in Iran: Experiences and Challenges

Hamid Tehranfar – Vice Governor, Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran

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12:00 – 12:20

Transaction Roundtable: Al Hilal Bank US$ 500 million Tier 1 Sukuk

Lauren McAughtry – Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news

Moderator:

Ali Ahmad – Head of Capital Markets – FIG, Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan, Standard Chartered Bank
Anzal Mohammed – Partner & Head, Global Islamic Finance Practice, Allen & Overy
Lim Say Cheong – Executive Vice President & Head of Investment Banking Group, Al Hilal Bank

12:20 – 12:35

ICD’s Initiatives in Advancing Islamic Finance in Africa

This presentation will review Islamic investment destinations across Africa and outline ICD’s current initiatives and future plans in developing this highly promising market.

Farid Masmoudi – Director, Global Head of Business Development and Partnerships, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, IDB Group

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12:35 – 13:45

Luncheon

13:45 – 14:45

Global Real Estate Roundtable

Real estate projects currently underway in the GCC have been estimated to exceed US$1 trillion with Gulf nations accounting for approximately 87% of the investments. Investors in the Middle East are expected to spend a further US$180 billion in commercial real estate markets outside the Middle East over the next 10 years. As real estate continues to be a key driver for economies in the Middle East, Europe and other parts of the world, what trends are expected to unfold in Shariah compliant financing to capitalize on and support this growth?

  • Innovation in real estate financing structures and products
  • Which real estate markets are expected to outperform and why?
  • Investment trends, strategies and risks for the global real estate market

Moderator:

Abdulkader Thomas – Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE Financial

Panelists:

Alan Robertson – Chief Executive Officer, Jones Lang LaSalle – Middle East & North Africa
Christopher Combs – Executive Vice President & Head of Product Development and Distribution, Gatehouse Bank, United Kingdom
Isam Salah – Partner, King & Spalding, USA
Paul McViety – Legal Director, DLA Piper
Rachid Ouaich – Managing Director, eethiq Advisors, Luxembourg
Robin Williamson – Managing Director and Real Estate Industry Leader, Deloitte Middle East

14:45 – 15:00

Introduction of Islamic Banking Intelligence: The First Comprehensive Global Islamic Banking Database and Analytical Business Intelligence Dashboard

Omid Torabi – Managing Director, Innovation & Development Corp
Maham Samanpajouh – Sales Engineering Manager, Innovation & Development

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15:00 – 15:20

Transaction Roundtable: Financing Major Infrastructure Projects in Turkey: The Istanbul International Financial Centre Project Sukuk – Aktif Bank Sukuk Varlýk Kiralama TL 100,000,000 Lease Certificates

The prestigious Istanbul Financial Centre developed by Agaoglu, one of Turkey’s largest construction firms, has attracted the attention of Islamic real estate investors worldwide. The issuer and arranger will discuss key features and success factors of this landmark transaction.

Moderator:

Rizwan Kanji – Partner, King & Spalding

Panelists:

Mehmet Fatih Kandemir – Executive Committee Member & Finance Manager, İstanbul International Finance Center Project Company
Onur Aksoy – Director, Capital Markets Group, Aktif Investment Bank

15:20 – 16:20

Future Trends in Sukuk and Islamic Project and Infrastructure Finance

The call for innovation in Sukuk and the need for diverse asset classes and structures has been consistently echoed by industry players. Lack of market depth and breadth and an over-reliance on replicating the conventional is often blamed for this lack of innovation. But is there truly customer demand for innovative products?

  • Discussing the rise and viability of new market segments: Power and energy, education, agriculture and livestock financing
  • Structural innovation: Emerging trends in project financing structures globally
  • What regulations are needed to keep pace with new structures and asset classes?
  • Building the infrastructure to support large scale, cross border and multi-jurisdictional deals
  • Addressing the over-reliance on Sukuk: What else is out there?
  • Is there a need to transform the business model for Shariah compliant capital raising?
  • Connecting Shariah compliance with real innovation

Moderator:

Qasim Aslam – Partner & Head of Islamic Finance – Middle East, Dentons

Panelists:

Arul Kandasamy – Executive Vice President & Head, Investment Banking Group, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
Bashar Al Natoor – Director & Islamic Finance Specialist, Fitch Ratings
Farmida Bi – Partner & Head of Islamic Finance, Europe, Norton Rose Fulbright
Feyzullah Egriboyun – Executive Vice President, Bank Asya, Turkey
Yavar Moini – Managing Director, M Capital Group

16:20 – 16:50

Coffee and Networking

16:50

End of Day One

Day 2

08:00 – 09:00

Registration

09:00 – 09:45

Global Islamic Investors Roundtable

The IFN Investors Roundtable will examine key trends and products in the global Islamic investment landscape with experts sharing their views on return on investment in specific sectors and regions and evaluating the risk environment for Islamic investment products.

  • Current developments in the Islamic private equity market
  • Outlook for Islamic treasury and liquidity management products
  • Growth prospects for Islamic wealth management and private banking products
  • Offshore Sukuk and offshore Islamic funds: New markets
  • Advancing cross border Islamic investment through fund passporting

Moderator:

Abdulkader Thomas – Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE Financial

Panelists:

Damian White – Treasurer, Noor Bank
Farid Masood – Director, Head of Advisory Services and Asset Management, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, IDB Group
Mohammed Reza Arabi – Deputy Head of Market & Issuers Supervision, Securities & Exchange Organization of Iran
Mohieddine Kronfol – Chief Investment Officer – Global Sukuk and MENA Fixed Income, Franklin Templeton Investments

09:45 – 10:10

Transaction Roundtable: Emirates Airline US$1 billion Sukuk

Moderator:

Lauren McAughtry – Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news

Panelists:

Khalil Belhimeur – Director, Debt Capital Markets, Standard Chartered Bank
Naveed Ali – Chief of Corporate Banking, Dubai Islamic Bank
Nirmal Govindadas – Senior Vice President, Corporate Treasury, Emirates Airline
Richard O’Callaghan – Partner, Capital Markets, Linklaters
Samad Sirohey – Chief Executive Officer, Citi Islamic Investment Bank

10:10 – 11:00

A Global View of Sukuk and the Islamic Capital Markets

This session will provide the current state of play for rapidly growing Islamic finance markets across the globe. In each of these markets specific landmark transactions will be discussed as speakers provide an in depth view of where the market is headed and how it will be impacted by market conditions, regulatory advancements and issues relating to Shariah compliance.

  • Developments in Pakistan’s Islamic capital market: New trends, structures and emerging asset classes
  • Oman: Update on Oman’s Islamic capital market and outlook for Sukuk issuances
  • Emerging opportunities in Azerbaijan and other CIS states
  • Nigeria: What’s in the pipeline

Moderator:

Abdulkader Thomas – Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE Financial

Panelists:

Eric Salomons – Director, Head of Markets, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Hajara Adeola – Managing Director and CEO, Lotus Capital, Nigeria
Kemal Rizadi Arbi – Advisor, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman
Mian Mohammed Nazir – Senior Vice President & Head of Legal, Dar Al Sharia
Orkhan Xubanli – First Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bank Standard, Azerbaijan
Syed Amir Ali – Senior Executive Vice President & Group Head, Corporate & Investment Banking, Meezan Bank, Pakistan

11:00 – 11:30

Coffee and Networking

11:30 – 12:15

Market Review – Middle East

The Middle East is one of the pillars of the global Islamic finance industry with a combination of deep and mature markets as well as emerging opportunities in new markets. This market review will provide a comprehensive analysis of key markets, investment opportunities and the performance of key asset classes within these markets

Moderator:

Sohail Jaffer – Deputy Chief Executive Officer, FWU Global Takaful Solutions

Panelists:

Alex Armstrong – Managing Director – Head of Financial Institutions & Structured Finance, QInvest, Qatar
Ashruff Jamall – Partner & Global Islamic Finance Leader, PwC
Elias Moubarak – Senior Associate, Trowers & Hamlins
Issam Al Tawari – Chairman & Managing Director, Rasameel Structured Finance Company, Kuwait

12:15 – 12:35

Transaction Roundtable: Kuveyt Turk US$500 million Senior Unsecured Certificates

Moderator:

Lauren McAughtry – Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news

Panelists:

Hitesh Asarpota – Director, Capital Markets & Structured Finance, Emirates NBD Capital
Mustafa Begun – Head of Investment Banking, Kuveyt Turk Participation Bank, Turkey
Rizwan Kanji – Partner, King & Spalding

12:35 – 12:50

Presentation: What Initiatives Exist to Develop Talent and Human Capital in the Islamic Finance Services

Dr Eddy Chong Siong Choy – Director, Finance Accreditation Agency, Malaysia

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12:50 – 14:00

Luncheon

14:00 – 15:00

Attracting Cross Border Investments

As Islamic finance continues to proliferate both the Muslim and non-Muslim worlds it is becoming clear that certain funds and asset classes appeal to specific investors in specific markets. What are high net worth and institutional investors in Asia, the GCC and Europe seeking and are these trends likely to change in the coming years? As the market continues to expand, what products will appeal to African and American investors?

  • Outlook for global equity, PE funds, i-ETFs and index-linked investments
  • The global real estate market: current and future investment trends in mature and frontier markets
  • Potential for wealth management products and Shariah compliant pension funds in emerging markets
  • The case for government-linked investment and infrastructure funds: Outlook for PPPs globally
  • Improving the distribution of Islamic funds by using passporting options
  • The important role of fund domiciles in cross border investments

Moderator:

Muneer Khan – Partner, Simmons & Simmons

Panelists:

Kavilash Chawla – Managing Director, Nur Global Strategies, and Visiting Scholar, International Business Program, Drake University
Mohamed Donia – Chief Executive Officer, IdealRatings, USA
Monem Salam – President, Saturna Malaysia
Dr Naveen Gunawardane – Managing Director, Amana Capital, Sri Lanka
Patrick Rochette – Director & Principal Representative, Bank of London & The Middle East, Dubai

15:00 – 16:00

Building a Truly Global Islamic Investment Industry: Regulations, Distribution and Liquidity Management

For the Islamic investment industry to realize its goal of operating on a global platform, regulations, standards and a cohesive legal infrastructure are crucial. This session will address the current state of play of the Shariah compliant funds and asset management industry, impact of recent changes and what future regulations are needed to advance the industry.

  • Expanding the reach and scale for Islamic investments
  • Regulations, standards and legal infrastructure required to facilitate an efficient global Islamic investment industry
  • The challenges of the cross border distribution: Lessons learnt from Europe and the Gulf
  • Addressing the liquidity conundrum
  • Identifying the needs of clients globally and tailoring the offer to market demand

Moderator:

Abdulkader Thomas – Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE Financial

Panelists:

Asim Khan – Managing Director, Khalij Islamic, United Kingdom
Cassim Docrat – Director, DDCap(DIFC)
Laurent Marliere – Chief Executive Officer, IsFin
Thom Polson – Chief Executive Officer, Falah Capital, USA

16:00 – 16:30

Coffee and Networking

16:30

End of Conference

Forum Speakers

  • Aamir Rehman, Managing Director, Fajr Capital Advisors
  • Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre
  • Abdulkader Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, SHAPE Financial
  • Dr Abdulrazak Faris Alfaris, Chief Economist, Economic Policy & Research Centre, Dubai Economic Council (DEC)
  • Alan Robertson, Chief Executive Officer, Jones Lang LaSalle – Middle East & North Africa
  • Alex Armstrong, Managing Director - Head of Financial Institutions & Structured Finance, QInvest, Qatar
  • Ali Ahmad, Head of Capital Markets – FIG, Middle East, North Africa & Pakistan, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Anzal Mohammed, Partner & Head, Global Islamic Finance Practice, Allen & Overy
  • Arul Kandasamy, Executive Vice President & Head, Investment Banking Group, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank
  • Asim Khan, Managing Director, Khalij Islamic, United Kingdom
  • Ashruff Jamall, Partner & Global Islamic Finance Leader, PwC
  • Ayman A Khaleq, Managing Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
  • Bashar Al Natoor, Director & Islamic Finance Specialist, Fitch Ratings
  • Cassim Docrat, Director, DDCap(DIFC)
  • Chirag Shah, Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer, DIFC Authority
  • Christopher Combs, Executive Vice President & Head of Product Development and Distribution, Gatehouse Bank, United Kingdom
  • Damian White, Treasurer, Noor Bank
  • Dr Eddy Chong Siong Choy, Director, Finance Accreditation Agency, Malaysia
  • Elias Moubarak, Senior Associate, Trowers & Hamlins
  • Emad Al Monayea, Board Director & Chief Executive Officer, KFH Investment Co., Kuwait
  • Eric Salomons, Director, Head of Markets, Dubai Financial Services Authority
  • Farid Masmoudi, Director, Global Head of Business Development and Partnerships, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, IDB Group
  • Farid Masood, Director, Head of Advisory Services and Asset Management, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, IDB Group
  • Farmida Bi, Partner & Head of Islamic Finance, Europe, Norton Rose Fulbright
  • Feyzullah Egriboyun, Executive Vice President, Bank Asya, Turkey
  • Hajara Adeola, Managing Director and CEO, Lotus Capital, Nigeria
  • Hamid Tehranfar, Vice Governor, Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran
  • Hitesh Asarpota, Director, Capital Markets & Structured Finance, Emirates NBD Capital
  • Hussein Hassan, Managing Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, JP Morgan Chase Bank
  • Isam Salah, Partner, King & Spalding, USA
  • Issam Al Tawari, Chairman & Managing Director, Rasameel Structured Finance Company, Kuwait
  • Jawad Ali, Managing Partner, Middle East Offices, King & Spalding
  • Kavilash Chawla, Managing Director, Nur Global Strategies, and Visiting Scholar, International Business Program, Drake University
  • Kamran Sherwani, Head of Sharia Training, Dar Al Sharia Legal Financial Consultancy
  • Monem Salam, President, Saturna, Malaysia
  • Kemal Rizadi Arbi, Advisor, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman
  • Khalil Belhimeur, Director, Debt Capital Markets, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Lauren McAughtry, Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news
  • Laurent Marliere, Chief Executive Officer, IsFin
  • Lim Say Cheong, Executive Vice President & Head of Investment Banking Group, Al Hilal Bank
  • Maham Samanpajouh, Sales Engineering Manager, Innovation & Development
  • Mehmet Fatih Kandemir, Executive Committee Member & Finance Manager, İstanbul International Finance Center Project Company
  • Mian Mohammed Nazir, Senior Vice President & Head of Legal, Dar Al Sharia
  • Mohamed Donia, Chief Executive Officer, IdealRatings, USA
  • Mohammed Reza Arabi, Deputy Head of Market & Issuers Supervision, Securities & Exchange Organization of Iran
  • Mohieddine Kronfol, Chief Investment Officer - Global Sukuk and MENA Fixed Income, Franklin Templeton Investments
  • Monem Salam, President, Saturna Malaysia
  • Muneer Khan, Partner, Simmons & Simmons
  • Murat Cetinkaya, Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Turkey
  • Mustafa Begun, Head of Investment Banking, Kuveyt Turk Participation Bank, Turkey
  • Naveed Ali, Chief of Corporate Banking, Dubai Islamic Bank
  • Dr Naveen Gunawardane, Managing Director, Amana Capital, Sri Lanka
  • Nirmal Govindadas, Senior Vice President, Corporate Treasury, Emirates Airline
  • Omid Torabi, Managing Director, Innovation & Development Corp
  • Onur Aksoy, Director, Capital Markets Group, Aktif Investment Bank
  • Orkhan Xubanli, First Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bank Standard, Azerbaijan
  • Paul McViety, Legal Director, DLA Piper
  • Patrick Rochette, Director & Principal Representative, Bank of London & The Middle East, Dubai
  • Professor Datuk Dr Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim, Chief Executive Officer, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation
  • Qasim Aslam, Partner & Head of Islamic Finance – Middle East, Dentons
  • Rachid Ouaich, Managing Director, eethiq Advisors, Luxembourg
  • Richard O’Callaghan, Partner, Capital Markets, Linklaters
  • Rizwan Kanji, Partner, King & Spalding
  • Robin Williamson, Managing Director and Real Estate Industry Leader, Deloitte Middle East
  • Samad Sirohey, Chief Executive Officer, Citi Islamic Investment Bank
  • Sohail Jaffer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, FWU Global Takaful Solutions
  • Syed Amir Ali, Senior Executive Vice President & Group Head, Corporate & Investment Banking, Meezan Bank, Pakistan
  • Thom Polson, Chief Executive Officer, Falah Capital, USA
  • Yavar Moini, Managing Director, M Capital Group

Advisory Board

  • Afaq Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Saadiq
  • Ashar Nazim, Partner, Islamic Banking Center, EY
  • Badlisyah Abdul Ghani, Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Islamic
  • Daud Vicary Abdullah, President & Chief Executive Officer, INCEIF
  • Humphrey Percy, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of London and The Middle East
  • Jawad I Ali, Managing Partner – Middle East Offices, King & Spalding
  • Salman Ahmed, Partner, Head of Islamic Finance MENA, Trowers & Hamlins
  • Sohail Jaffer, Deputy CEO, FWU Global Takaful Solutions
  • Sohail Zubairi, Chief Executive Officer, Dar Al Sharia Legal & Financial Consultancy, Dubai Islamic Bank
  • Stella Cox, Managing Director, DDCap Group

Forum Partners

LEAD PARTNER

MULTILATERAL STRATEGIC PARTNER

REAL ESTATE PARTNER

REAL ESTATE PARTNER

ASSOCIATE PARTNERS

EXECUTIVE PARTNERS

LANYARDS SPONSOR

LEAD MEDIA PARTNER

STRATEGIC MEDIA PARTNERS

MEDIA PARTNERS

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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 cutting-edge, attendance ensures exclusive access to the leaders in their field across all sectors and markets.

TThe 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 has also become an integral element of the REDmoney events series and have cemented their position as leading, must-attend, events. In 2022, we introduced the Islamic Sustainable Finance & Investment Forum, which was an enormous success, and will become a mainstay.

For any inquiries contact us

Our team will be glad to answer any questions you may have about this event.