Date: 23rd & 24th April 2019

Venue: Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Remaining: 600 Seats

Speakers: 60 Speakers

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About The Forum

Anchoring big players like Malaysia and Indonesia, the Asian Islamic capital market has been leading the global industry, not only in size, but also in innovation and diversification. The sophisticated infrastructure of Malaysia is a hallmark of excellence globally, the immense potential of Indonesia’s population and its flourishing sovereign Sukuk market remains captivating to many and the phenomenal market expansion rates in Pakistan and Bangladesh are widely envied.

Together, along with various other newcomers like the Maldives and Sri Lanka – which is looking to issue a sovereign Islamic paper – the Asian continent is expected to be at the forefront of the global Shariah compliant debt and equity markets by leveraging advanced and sophisticated regulations, and attracting masses of global investors into the region to subsequently build its rapport with other regions.

IFN will return to Kuala Lumpur with its prestigious IFN Asia Forum, a two-day event with a renewed focus on issuers and investors on the 23rd -24th April 2019.

IFN Asia Forum Floor Plan

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Forum Agenda

Day One

09:00 – 09:05
Welcome Remarks
09:05 – 09:20
Keynote Address

Adnan Zaylani, Assistant Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

09:20 – 09:35
Keynote Interview

Dr Umar Oseni, CEO, International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation

09:35 – 10:30
Opening Bell: Leading Corporates Discuss Funding and Capital-Raising Options

We examine funding in key sectors and industries and ask what represents effective corporate finance and capital-raising strategies across multi-product areas and markets. What do corporates want and what can Islamic finance offer? How can the Malaysian GLC sector further employ and benefit from Islamic funding options? We ask a high-level panel to share their expertise and views.

Panelists:

Faridah Bakar Ali, Chief Financial Officer, Khazanah Nasional
Mohamed Nazri Omar, Managing Director/CEO, Danajamin Nasional
Pavan Kaur, General Manager, Group Finance and Treasury, UMW Group

10:30 – 11:00
Coffee and Networking
11:00 – 12:00
Technology and Shariah Compliant Financing and Capital-Raising

What does technological innovation mean for capital raising and financing for Shariah-compliant issuers? What is new and what is the next big technological shift in the capital raising process, and what must incumbent intermediaries do to remain competitive and relevant? What does Blockchain offer potential Sukuk issuers? Through an expert panel we seek answers.

12:00 – 12:30
Interview: The Islamic Financial Institution of the Future - Digitization, Smart Contracts and Blockchain

We ask how corporate and retail banking, Takaful and payments are set to be revolutionised by the widespread adoption of digital disintermediation and distributed ledger technology

12:30 – 14:00
Lunch and Networking
14:00 – 15:00
Sovereign, Multilateral and Supranational Issuers and the Islamic Market

We ask a leading panel for their views on sovereign and multi-lateral agency issuance and ask what Islamic funding facilities can offer governments, development banks and Supranational organizations. What are these issuers looking for in terms of pricing, tenor, structure and distribution?

15:00 – 15:25
An Audience With...

Interviewer: Amri Sofian, Chief Corporate and Investment Officer, Danajamin Nasional

15:25 – 15:35
Presentation: Talent Development in Islamic finance

Zaineb Sefiani, Founder, Carrera Learning

15:35 – 16:25
Green Sukuk and Finance: Renewable Energy and Sustainable Projects

With SRI regulatory frameworks in place, the rise of stewardship and responsible investment, assets available and in many cases, fully Shariah compliant, green finance has a bright future. Through recent notable transactions we analyse product structures, investor demand, rating and reporting issues and ask whether green Sukuk is the way forward for funding sustainable and environmentally responsible projects in Southeast Asia.

Panelist:

Simon Lord, Head of Sustainability, Sime Darby Plantations

16:25 – 17:00
Funding, Liquidity Issues and Supervision of Islamic Financial Institutions 

We identify and discuss operational issues and challenges faced by Islamic financial institutions, including adherence to Basel III liquidity and IFSB regulatory requirements. What other supervisory and regulatory issues do Islamic financial institutions face and what are the solutions? What can regulatory capital Sukuk issuance and the use of tools such as Commodity Murabahah offer Islamic financial institutions going forward?

17:00 – 17:30
Coffee and Networking
17:30 – 17:30
End of Forum

Day Two

09:10 – 09:25
Keynote Address

Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Deputy Chief Executive, Securities Commission Malaysia

09:25 – 10:25
The Islamic Asset Management Industry: Challenges and Opportunities Going Forward

Where is the market today for Islamic asset management from where will growth originate? Is Shariah compliant asset management a thematic investment strategy or a viable, self-supporting industry? Does the industry need to become more aligned to ESG/SRI? Through an engaging panel we seek answers. We also look at key challenges facing the industry, from product innovation to improving distribution channels through technology.

Panelists:

Hakan Ozyon, Senior Portfolio Manager, Global Ethical Fund
Hurriyah El Islamy, Executive Board Member, BPKH

10:25 – 10:45
Keynote Interview: Views of the Institutional Investor
10:45 – 11:15
Coffee and Networking
11:15 – 11:35
A Golden Opportunity: What’s Next for Gold and Gold-Based Financial Products?

Recent Shariah rulings have provided opportunities for products based around Gold. We take a detailed look at this interesting and innovative area.
John Durham, Manager – Depository, Gold Corporation, The Perth Mint

11:35 – 12:25
Wealth and Asset Management Technology Roundtable

We ask an expert panel to give their views on the latest application of technology to the asset management industry. Where will technology offer the most significant disruption: managing money or optimising distribution channels, or both? What do robo-advisers such as Robinhood, Revolut and Plum offer Millenials that traditional asset managers cannot? We also discuss the role of A.I and blockchain in the asset and wealth management industry and identify threats and opportunities.

12:25 – 12:55
Interview: Funding and Investing in Financial Technology in Southeast Asia

How to build an eco-system that promotes the successful integration of investors, accelerators and technology entrepreneurs?

12:55 – 14:00
Luncheon
14:00 – 15:00
Environmental, Socially Responsible Investing and Islamic Investment: Opportunities for Development and Growth

We examine responsible, environmental and green finance in Asia and ask how ethical and Islamic finance can potentially become closer interlinked. We also discuss how Southeast Asia can grow its existing ESG niche among asset managers and owners and what role Islamic asset management can carve for itself in this. Do green bonds and Sukuk offer viable long-term investments and how can the industry address the relative scarcity of credible climate related and low carbon investment opportunities? When will Asia see the launch of a socially conscious ETF?

15:00 – 15:45
Products, Strategies and Styles for Islamic Asset Management

Through an expert panel we assess the market, viability and performance of the ever-expanding universe of exchange-traded funds, as well as other passive products. We also examine the active management sector and how value for end investors is created across both styles. Finally, why do we see so few Islamic ETFs and what can be done to address this paucity? What role do exchanges play in this process?

15:45 – 16:30
Innovation in Islamic Investment Management: Waqf

We discuss the growing importance of revitalizing Waqf through the development and use of innovative capital market instruments. We examine how, through innovative products and services, we can further develop Waqf assets in order to facilitate growth in the Islamic investment and asset management industry, thereby promoting financial inclusion and social development.

16:30 – 17:30
Forum Close and Refreshment

Forum Keynotes

Adnan-Zaylani

Adnan Zaylani
Assistant Governor
Bank Negara Malaysia

Umar-Oseni

Dr Umar Oseni
CEO
International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation

ZainalIzlanZainalAbidin

Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin
Deputy Chief Executive
Securities Commission Malaysia

Forum Speakers

spk_Amri Sofian

Amri Sofian
Chief Corporate and Investment Officer
Danajamin Nasional

faridah

Faridah Bakar Ali
Chief Financial Officer
Khazanah Nasional

spk_HakanOzyon

Hakan Ozyon
Senior Portfolio Manager
Global Ethical Fund

Hurriyah El Islamy-indonesia 2017

Hurriyah El Islamy
Executive Board Member
BPKH

MohamedNazriOmar

Mohamed Nazri Omar
Managing Director/CEO
Danajamin Nasional

businesswoman-icon-18

Pavan Kaur
General Manager, Group Finance and Treasury
UMW Group

Simon-lord

Simon Lord
Head of Sustainability
Sime Darby Plantations

Zaineb-Sefiani

Zaineb Sefiani
Founder
Carrera Learning

Advisory Board

Angelia-Chin-Sharpe

Angelia Chin Sharpe
CEO and Country Head, Malaysia and Brunei/ICBU
BNP Paribas Asset Management

MohdAliAllawala

Ali Allawala
CEO
Standard Chartered Saadiq

ArsalaanAhmed-2019

Arsalaan Ahmed
CEO
HSBC Amanah

spk_AzleenaIdris

Azleena Idris
VP and Head of Legal
Kuwait Finance House

Eqhwan

Eqhwan Mokhzanee Muhammad
CEO
AmBank Islamic

spk_HakanOzyon

Hakan Ozyon
Senior Portfolio Manager
Global Ethical Fund

MasumiHamahira

Masumi Hamahira
Advisor, Islamic Banking Window/ICBU
MUFG Bank (Malaysia)

MohamedNazriOmar

Mohamed Nazri Omar
Managing Director/CEO
Danajamin Nasional

Ramlie-Kamsari

Ramlie Kamsari
CEO
Nomura Islamic Asset Management

SyedAlwi-event-agro

Syed Alwi Mohamed Sultan
President/CEO
Agro Bank

Syed-Mashafuddin

Syed Mashafuddin Syed Badarudin
CEO
CIMB-Principal Islamic Asset Management

Forum Sponsors

MULTILATERAL STRATEGIC PARTNER

PARTNERS

AN AUDIENCE WITH

Last Visit to Kuala Lumpur

IFN Asia Forum 2018

Acknowledged by the global industry as one of the most important finance gatherings in the region, IFN Asia Forum will be back in Kuala Lumpur in May 2018. Adopting a new one-day format, IFN Asia will deliver greater impact through a mix of panel sessions, onstage interviews and interactive sessions running concurrently with multiple streams dedicated to the most pertinent and talked-about segments of the industry.

Anchoring some of the most important Islamic financial markets globally, Asia continues to be a region of prime significance to the global Islamic finance community: the sophisticated infrastructure of Malaysia is a hallmark of excellence globally, the immense potential of Indonesia’s population remains captivating to many, the phenomenal expansion rates in Pakistan and Bangladesh are widely envied, relative newcomers such as the Maldives and Sri Lanka are pushing full steam ahead to make their own mark while Brunei is preparing to make a big splash in international waters.

The rollout of new regulations by the likes of Malaysia and Indonesia underscores the solid commitment governments in the region have for Islamic finance. The unabating regulatory support plus the rising affluence of the region’s favorable demographics are core to Asia’s Islamic finance success story, including being the most frequent and largest Sukuk issuer (sovereign and corporate, domestic and international) and the biggest Family Takaful market and having a vibrant Islamic asset management sector as well as a growing banking market. The story has now become even more fascinating as the region is being swept by a strong fintech undercurrent.

With fintech investment in the Asia Pacific region surging, even surpassing that of the US, Asia is the one to watch for new innovations; more significantly, Asia is scaling up to be the home of Islamic fintech revolution. Giving their Middle Eastern counterparts a run for their money, Malaysia and Indonesia are racing to become the fintech destination for Islamic finance, creating an environment conducive and attractive to Islamic fintech start-ups from around the world with new regulations and a focused approach.

Brimming with exciting activities and promising progress, IFN Asia Forum 2018 will provide a platform for international players to engage with local industry stalwarts in lively and constructive discussion about the opportunities and challenges that lie within the Asian Islamic finance market.

Full Details
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Testimonials

It was a pleasure meeting other panelists and learning from their rich experience. Look forward to staying in touch. Last but not the least, congratulations to the IFN team for organizing a very successful event.

Ali Allawala
CEO, Standard Chartered Saadiq

I thought that we had a good session, which laid a good foundation for the rest of the day.

Ashraf Mohammed
Assistant General Counsel, Asian Development Bank

A quick note to thank you for the invitation to speak, and congratulations on a forum very well organized! Glad to have had the time for knowledge-sharing.

Hazwan Alif Abdul Rahman
CEO, CMC Engineering

Thank you for the invitation to speak at this event and for the very good organization and attendance.

Mohamed Damak
Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings

Thank you so much for inviting. I really enjoyed myself. The event was so well organized too. So grand. Well done!

Sharifah Bakar Ali
General Manager, Group Business Development, UEM Group

Thank you for the kind message, job made very easy with a great set of panelists. I particularly enjoyed your explanation of Gen-Y behavior, it was very insightful.

Arsalaan Ahmed
CEO, HSBC Amanah

It was my pleasure. Many thanks Andrew. I enjoyed it and felt the discussions were relevant.

Daud Vicary Abdullah
Managing Director, DVA Consulting

A big thank you to you and your team is in order for a job well done.

Ashraf Gomma Ali
Director/Regional Head, Shariah and Governance, CIMB Islamic

It’s always a pleasure to work with you and the team, Andrew, and I thank you for inviting me to moderate the session. We thought that the event was extremely good and the attendance supports this view. The sessions were all very interesting and there was a very positive vibe throughout.

Lawrence Oliver
Deputy CEO, DDCAP Group

Congratulations on yet another successful event! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to contribute to the event. We look forward to be of service at the next opportunity!

Simon Chen
Vice-President - Senior Analyst, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Investors Service

A very well-organized and attended event. Interesting times ahead for Malaysia. Likewise, looking forward to working with you and the REDmoney team soon, thanks.

Yeoh Teik Leng
Head, Structured Finance and Loan Markets, Capital Markets Group, AmInvestment Bank

Well done to REDmoney for a well-organized event.

Faridah Bakar Ali
Director and CFO, Khazanah Nasional

For any inquiries contact us

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