REDmoney Events
  • Home
  • Past Events
  • Past Trainings
  • How We Do It
  • Accommodation
  • Contact us
  • About Us
IFN Kuwait Forum 2018

5th December 2018
The Regency, Kuwait

#IFNKuwait18

About The IFN Kuwait Forum

Kuwait, an important market for Islamic finance with a long-standing commitment to Islamic banking and finance, is poised to have a growing Shariah finance industry with recent market developments.

Progress in the past year in Kuwait has paved the way for its growth as a pioneer in the Islamic finance industry. The latest, and potentially groundbreaking, development in the State of Kuwait is the amendment of the Public Debt Law. The draft law, which is under discussion, would potentially signal the nation’s first sovereign Sukuk. Kuwaiti investors have also been recognized for their active momentum not only in the GCC, but also in the US and Europe.

Kuwait continues to be a hot destination for investors in the debt capital markets, with the Kuwaiti bourse recently included in the FTSE Emerging Markets Index. The move is anticipated to encourage the flow of foreign investments into the Kuwaiti capital market. Investors and industry participants are keen on the Kuwaiti Islamic finance story, and the authorities have been a strong force in effectively advancing the industry and turning Kuwait into a contender among its peers in the Gulf region.

2018 will see IFN Kuwait Forum returning to Kuwait City, building on the previous successes and with the support of both local regulators and international participants to explore and encourage Shariah compliant investment opportunities into the country.

Download Post Event Report

Forum Agenda

09:15 – 09:20

Welcome Remarks

09:20 – 09:25

Chairman’s Remarks

Issam Al Tawari, Founder and Managing Partner, Newbury Consulting

09:25 – 09:40

Presentation: An Assessment of Financial Sector Stability in Kuwait

Nizamuddin Arshad, Advisor to the Governor on Banking Affairs, Central Bank of Kuwait

Presentation Slides Here

09:40 – 10:40

Mega Trends: Domestic and Global Influencers for Kuwait

We discuss key issues relevant to the economic development of Kuwait and the growth of Islamic banking and finance. We examine the Kuwaiti financial markets with a focus on geopolitical and financial risks and financial regulation. We discuss the growth and evolution of Islamic banking in the country and analyze competition and consolidation within the industry. We also assess Kuwait Vision 2035 and the relaxation of restrictions on foreign direct investment in the Emirates, particularly in relation to infrastructure finance, real estate and financial services.

Moderator:

Issam Al Tawari, Founder and Managing Partner, Newbury Consulting

Panelists:

Abdullah Al-Lanqawi,Deputy General Manager – Treasury, Ahli United Bank
Hossam Abdullah, Legal Counsel and Managing Partner, Al-Hossam Legal – Al-Turqi & Partners
Nayef Alshammari, Associate Professor, Kuwait University
Nizamuddin Arshad, Advisor to the Governor on Banking Affairs, Central Bank of Kuwait

10:40 – 11:10

Coffee Break

11:10 – 12:10

Development of Islamic Capital Markets and Asset Management in Kuwait

We look at innovation in Kuwaiti capital markets and identify where Shariah compliant products can add value and what role they can play. We discuss recent regulatory developments for Sukuk and assess current market trends: will recent significant issuance by financial institutions continue? We ask what is next for the Kuwaiti asset management industry and look at recent product innovations, particularly REITs and exchange-traded funds. What will inclusion in the FTSE Russell index mean for Kuwait’s capital markets and asset management sectors?

Moderator:

Tariq Alrifai, Quorum Centre for Strategic Studies

Panelists:

Abdulkader Thomas, CEO, SHAPE Financial
Issam Al Tawari, Founder and Managing Partner, Newbury Consulting
Raghu Mandagolathur, Executive Vice-President – Research, Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’
Thuwaini AlThuwaini, Acting Chief Investment Banking Officer, Warba Bank

12:10 – 12:35

A Golden Opportunity

Gold has come to prominence of late, either as an underlying asset or an asset class in itself. We take a closer look at recent financial products structured on or around gold and ask if the upward trend is set to continue.

Moderator:

Tariq Alrifai, Quorum Centre for Strategic Studies

Panelists:

John Durham, Manager, Depository, Gold Corporation, The Perth Mint
Philip Judge, CEO, Physical Gold Fund
Robin Lee, CEO, HelloGold

12:35 – 13:05

Fintech Huddle

We discuss the role of fintech, digital platforms and tokenization in today’s financial industry in Kuwait. What do the development of smart contracts, blockchains and artificial intelligence mean for Islamic banking in the region? We assess the latest developments in fintech and analyze likely industry shifts, regulation and developments in product and delivery channels.

Moderator:

Lawrence Oliver, Director and Deputy CEO, DDCAP

Panelists:

Hamid Rashid, Founder, Finterra
Robin Lee, CEO, HelloGold

13:05

Refreshment and Networking

Forum Speakers

Abdulkader Thomas, Group CEO, SHAPE™ Knowledge Services

Abdulkader Thomas
CEO, SHAPE Financial

Abdullah Allanqawi

Abdullah Al-Lanqawi
Deputy General Manager – Treasury, Ahli United Bank

hamid rashid

Hamid Rashid
Founder, Finterra

Hossam Abdullah, Legal Counsel & Managing Partner, Hossam Al-Hossam Legal – Al-Turqi & Partners

Hossam Abdullah
Legal Counsel and Managing Partner, Al-Hossam Legal – Al-Turqi & Partners

Dr. Issam Altawari, Founder and Managing Partner, Newbury Consulting

Issam Al Tawari
Founder and Managing Partner, Newbury Consulting

John-Durham

John Durham
Manager, Depository, Gold Corporation, The Perth Mint

spk-LawrenceOliver

Lawrence Oliver
Director and Deputy CEO, DDCAP

Nayef-Alshammari

Nayef Alshammari
Associate Professor, Kuwait University

Nizamuddin-Arshad

Nizamuddin Arshad
Advisor to the Governor on Banking Affairs, Central Bank of Kuwait

Philip-Judge

Philip Judge
CEO, Physical Gold Fund

Raghu-Mandagolathur

Raghu Mandagolathur
Executive Vice-President – Research, Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’

SPK_Robin

Robin Lee
CEO, HelloGold

Thuwaini K. Al-Thuwaini, Chief Investment Banking Officer, Warba Bank

Thuwaini AlThuwaini
Acting Chief Investment Banking Officer, Warba Bank

Tariq Alrifai, Chief Executive, Quorum Centre for Strategic Studies

Tariq Alrifai
Quorum Centre for Strategic Studies

Forum Partners

MULTILATERAL STRATEGIC PARTNERS

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

Visit Website
In The News

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

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

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

ICD mandate and objectives

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

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

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

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

FOR MORE INFORMATION

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

Fax: (966-12) 644 4427

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.icd-ps.org

Visit Website In The News

The Islamic Corporation for The Insurance Of Investment And Export Credit (ICIEC)

Visit Website
In The News

Established 26 years ago in 1994 as a multilateral institution and a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) was tasked to promote cross-border trade and foreign direct investments in its member countries.

The ICIEC’s mission is to make trade and investment between member countries and the world more secure through the Shariah compliant risk mitigation tool. Its vision is to be recognized as the preferred enabler of trade and investment for sustainable economic development in member countries.

The ICIEC is the only multilateral export credit and investment insurance corporation in the world that provides Shariah-compliant insurance and reinsurance solutions.

Today, the ICIEC supports trade and investment flows in 47 member countries spanning across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Its target clients are corporates (both exporters and investors), banks and financial institutions as well as export credit agencies and insurers.

Visit Website In The News

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation

Visit Website
In The News

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

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

 

Contact us at:

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

Tel: +966 12 646 8337
Fax: +966 12 637 1064
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.itfc-idb.org/en

Visit Website In The News

Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development

Visit Website
In The News
Visit Website In The News

IsDB Group Business Forum (THIQAH)

Visit Website
In The News

The Islamic Development Bank Group Business Forum (THIQAH) is the window of the IsDB Group that facilitates contact and coordination between entities concerned of the IsDB Group and private sector firms and related institutions in IsDB Group member countries. The main objective of THIQAH is to establish a unique platform for effective dialogue, cooperation and inclusive partnership for business leaders committed to partnering in promising investment opportunities. Through facilitation and catalyst roles, THIQAH will be leveraging the IsDB Group’s resources to offer necessary services and confidence to investors and to establish strategic partnerships with the leaders of the private sector. The primary focus will be on maximizing cross-border investment among member countries to be supported by IsDB Group’s financial products and services. (www.idbgbf.org)

Visit Website In The News

PARTNERS

DDCAP Group

Visit Website
In The News

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in London, with an office in Dubai and a presence in both Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, DDCAP is a leading provider of asset facilitation services and financial technology and system solutions across a diverse range of Shariah compliant products, asset classes and instruments in both the primary and secondary markets. DDCAP’s wholly-owned subsidiaries include DD&Co and DDGI. 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, focused principally on providing service to Islamic financial market participants around the world. DDCAP has its own Shariah supervisory board comprising esteemed Shariah scholars from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Kuwait. DDCAP’s multi-award-winning Shariah compliant ETHOS Asset Facilitation Platform is 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.

Visit Website In The News

IdealRatings

Visit Website
In The News

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:

  • Equities – A web-based platform covering over 40,000 stocks, where fund managers can screen equities using different, custom-built ESG/SRI/Responsible Investments and Shariah rulebooks or guidelines. This solution caters to different purification calculation methodologies with a comprehensive set of reports for fund managers to manage their portfolio.
  • REITs – Global coverage of all listed REITs that could be screened in accordance with different standard Shariah rulebooks or guidelines.
  • Indexes – Co-branded and jointly marketed by FTSE-Russell Indexes and a separate series with Thomson Reuters for the global markets, designed for fund management and investment benchmarking. In addition, IdealRatings is able to provide custom-built indexes for the fund management industry.
  • Sukuk – A unique solution which includes the global Sukuk and a pioneering Sukuk-screening solution that enables fund managers to customize their Sukuk selection in accordance to their Shariah rulebook, guidelines or investment preference, and
  • Brokerage – The solution provides broking houses the ability to screen global equity markets, a technical analysis of the markets and equities, buy/sell/hold recommendations and purification amounts.
Visit Website In The News

HOST MEDIA PARTNERS

EXCLUSIVE MEDIA PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNERS

Photo Gallery

  • VF2_8702
  • VF2_8839
  • VF2_8837
  • VF2_8836
  • VF2_8834
  • VF2_8833
  • VF2_8832
  • VF2_8831
  • VF2_8827
  • VF2_8825
  • VF2_8824
  • VF2_8822
  • VF2_8819
  • VF2_8818
  • VF2_8817
  • VF2_8816
  • VF2_8815
  • VF2_8814
  • VF2_8812
  • VF2_8809
  • VF2_8808
  • VF2_8806
  • VF2_8804
  • VF2_8801
  • VF2_8800
  • VF2_8799
  • VF2_8797
  • VF2_8796
  • VF2_8795
  • VF2_8791
  • VF2_8790
  • VF2_8789
  • VF2_8787
  • VF2_8785
  • VF2_8784
  • VF2_8783
  • VF2_8781
  • VF2_8780
  • VF2_8777
  • VF2_8776
  • VF2_8773
  • VF2_8772
  • VF2_8771
  • VF2_8770
  • VF2_8769
  • VF2_8768
  • VF2_8767
  • VF2_8763
  • VF2_8761
  • VF2_8760
  • VF2_8758
  • VF2_8755
  • VF2_8750
  • VF2_8748
  • VF2_8747
  • VF2_8746
  • VF2_8745
  • VF2_8744
  • VF2_8743
  • VF2_8736
  • VF2_8734
  • VF2_8724
  • VF2_8720
  • VF2_8717
  • VF2_8716
  • VF2_8712
  • VF2_8708
  • VF2_8699
  • VF2_8697
  • VF2_8696
  • VF2_8695
  • VF2_8694
  • VF2_8686
  • VF2_8685
  • VF2_8682
  • VF2_8681
  • VF2_8679
  • VF2_8671
  • VF2_8670
  • VF2_8668
  • VF2_8663
  • VF2_8662
  • VF2_8658
  • VF2_8650
  • VF2_8627
  • VF2_8621
  • VF2_8618
  • VF2_8614
  • VF2_8613
  • VF2_8611
  • VF2_8603
  • VF2_8602
  • VF2_8601
  • VF2_8600
  • VF2_8575
  • VF2_8553
  • VF2_8547
  • VF2_8524
  • VF2_8521
  • VF2_8518
  • VF2_8517
  • VF2_8516
  • VF2_8515
  • VF2_8476

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.

Contact Us

About Us

REDmoney Events designs, organizes and hosts industry-leading conferences, forums, roadshows and seminars focusing on the Islamic financial markets across a global, regional and national level.

+603 2162 7800
[email protected]

Our Publications

  • Islamic Finance news
  • IFN Investor
  • IFN Sustainable
  • IFN Fintech

Recent Tweets

Islamic Finance News @ifn_news ·
5 Jun

We are pleased to welcome Aijaz Hussain, Executive Vice President of Sales & Director, UIF Corporation to the speaker line-up for IFN Investor Americas Forum 2026, taking place in S&P Global Offices, New York on 16th June 2026.

FREE registrations now open.

Islamic Finance News @ifn_news ·
5 Jun

We are pleased to welcome Ahmad Quqa, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Crescent Private Wealth, to the speaker line-up for IFN Investor Americas Forum 2026, taking place in S&P Global Offices, New York on 16th June 2026.

FREE registrations now open.

Islamic Finance News @ifn_news ·
5 Jun

Openbank, a digital bank in Uzbekistan, has held discussions with Bahraini bank Alubaf Arab International Bank on potential cooperation in Islamic finance, according to a statement by Openbank.

To read full article: https://www.islamicfinancenews.com/openbank-explores-islamic-finance-cooperation-with-alubaf-arab-international-bank.html

Islamic Finance News @ifn_news ·
5 Jun

We are proud to welcome IsDB Group Business Forum (THIQAH) as Multilateral Strategic Partner for IFN Investor America Forum 2026.

This event will take place on 16th June 2026 at New York.

FREE registrations now open:
https://redmoneyevents.com/event/ifninvestoramericas2026/

LATEST POSTS

We are proud to welcome @smartpension as Partner f We are proud to welcome @smartpension as Partner for IFN UK Forum 2026.

This event will take place on 7th September 2026 at Mansion House, London.

FREE registrations now open.

�#IFNUKForum2026 #REDmoneyEvents #REDMoney #IFN #Finance #UK
We are proud to welcome Zunikh as Partner for IFN We are proud to welcome Zunikh as Partner for IFN Asia Issuers and Investors Forum 2026.

This event will take place on 29th September 2026 at EQ Kuala Lumpur.

FREE registrations now open.

#IFNAsiaIssuersandInvestorsForum2026 #REDmoneyEvents #REDMoney #IFN #Finance #KualaLumpur
We are proud to welcome Zunikh as Partner for IFN We are proud to welcome Zunikh as Partner for IFN UK Forum 2026.

This event will take place on 7th September 2026 at Mansion House, London.

FREE registrations now open.

#IFNUKForum2026 #REDmoneyEvents #REDMoney #IFN #Finance #UK
We are proud to welcome Zunikh as Partner for IFN We are proud to welcome Zunikh as Partner for IFN Investor America Forum 2026.

This event will take place on 16th June 2026 at New York.

FREE registrations now open.

#IFNInvestorAmericaForum2026 #REDmoneyEvents #REDMoney #IFN #Finance #NewYork
🌙✨ Eid Mubarak from Islamic Finance News! Wishing 🌙✨ Eid Mubarak from Islamic Finance News!

Wishing our global Islamic finance community joy, unity and continued success this Eid. 🤍🌙

#IslamicFinance #Eid2026
IsDB announces the winner of the Most Innovative T IsDB announces the winner of the Most Innovative Trade Development Initiative of the Year: EUR160 million (US$186.31 million) commodity Murabahah facility for Agrobank

The EUR160 million commodity Murabahah facility for Agrobank, backed by The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) and Standard Chartered, is a transformative milestone for Uzbekistan’s financial landscape. As the country’s first-ever commodity Murabahah transaction, it successfully navigated a complex regulatory vacuum, establishing a Shariah compliant blueprint for future trade liquidity.

The deal represents a “triple-first”: The inaugural use of this instrument in Uzbekistan, ICIEC’s first direct commercial banking partnership in the nation and a massive capital injection specifically for the underserved SMEs and retail sectors.

Read full article here @ifnforums 🎉
  • Home
  • Past Events
  • Past Trainings
  • How We Do It
  • Accommodation
  • Contact us
  • About Us