Omar Mustafa Ansari, Secretary General, Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI)
With GCC countries looking to kickstart economic recovery through commercial activity, stimulus and technology, it is time for the Islamic economy, and all its components, to show its true mettle. Have we truly grasped the importance of the Halal economy to the prosperity of regional economies, as well as to the continued growth of Islamic financial institutions? What role will regional Islamic financial institutions play in meeting the challenges of the real economy through mobilizing the funding and liquidity support necessary to stimulate the vital SME and corporate sectors? How is financial technology playing a role in regional development and the enhancement of financial inclusion in GCC countries? And through socially impactful strategies, how can Islamic financial institutions inspire and support entrepreneurship, thereby creating jobs and improving livelihoods? We seek the views of a distinguished panel.
Qasim Aslam, Partner, Dentons
Ikbal Daredia, Advisor to CEO, Acting Director – Global Markets and Fixed Income (GMFI) and Acting Director – Treasury, The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector
Mohamad El Khalil, Director, Head of Prudential Supervision, Dubai Financial Services Authority
What do GCC credit markets look like in the coming 12 months, what are the options for potential corporate, sovereign and supranational issuers? How influential are oil prices on regional Islamic capital markets? What are investors demanding in terms of pricing, tenor, rating, structure, as well as other factors such as ESG? What do the major GCC centres offer as listing destinations for Sukuk issuance, as well as other products such as investment trusts and ETFs? How can Shariah compliant instruments, including Sukuk, be further applied to the funding of alternative asset classes in the region? How is technology such as blockchain shaping and influencing Islamic corporate finance and capital markets, considering notable recent innovations by GCC Islamic banks? Finally, how can global and regional regulation and standards applicable to the issue of Shariah compliant financing products, be more effectively aligned for the good of the market?
Issam Al Tawari, Founder and Managing Partner, Newbury Consulting
Dr Mohamed Damak, Senior Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Alongside ‘Transition to Net Zero’ and decarbonisation targets, what is realistically achievable and what does net zero mean for important sectors in the GCC such as aviation, oil and gas and other asset-based industries? How are Shariah compliant financing products and assets playing a role in this shift and what do green Sukuk offer in relation to transition and sustainability-linked initiatives? How can the financing of Shariah compliant assets continue to contribute to the achievement of the UN SDGs and towards the Paris Accord? Where and how do ESG investing and Shariah compliant investing complement each other, and how can we further leverage this important linkage? We ask an expert panel.
Dermot O’Reilly, Head of Ethical Finance, ARX Financial Engineering Ltd
Jessica Robinson, Founder and Managing Director, Moxie Future
Dr Yasser Gado, Director, Treasurer, Islamic Development Bank
Through a respected panel we address two current, important operational issues affecting Islamic financial institutions and financial products in the Gulf. Firstly, we discuss reform of global benchmarks, the transition to risk-free rates and the implications for Islamic financial products. Secondly, we examine the development of liquidity management tools – repurchase agreements and their Shariah compliant equivalents – and how they offer value to regional Islamic financial institutions.
Anita Wieja-Caruba, Senior Manager, Strategy, Policy and Risk, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, CEO, International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM)
With the GCC boasting 51 Shariah compliant fintech providers on the IFN Fintech Landscape, what is a realistic assessment of the sector across multiple verticals? With noteworthy developments in equity crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending in the GCC, what’s next in the evolution of these important activities? How do ECF and P2P address and reduce funding gaps, particularly in the SME sector, and how can they be further harnessed to fund regional entrepreneurial activity? What is the role and success rate of tech accelerator programs in regional centers, and what else can be done to provide vital seed and growth capital for regional Islamic fintechs? With the first Bitcoin fund being listed on NASDAQ Dubai, what is the future of crypto investing in the GCC and how are regional institutional investors and family offices approaching crypto and fintech investment? Lastly, how are GCC Islamic banks leading the drive towards full digitization and how are end consumers set to benefit?
Dr Mohammed Alyami, Director, Development Effectiveness Department, The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private
Paula Tavangar, Co-Founder and Investment Director, Genesis Capital LATAM
Zaineb Sefiani, Founder, Carrera Learning
