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IFN Investor MiddleEast Forum 2024

25th April 2024
Address Sky View, Dubai

Watch Now

  • Presentation
  • Session 1
  • Session 2
  • Session 3
  • Session 4

Presentation

Presentation: Key Drivers for Regional Shariah Compliant Investment

Ahmed Kareem El Kenzi, Director, BTD International Fund House – Luxembourg

Session 1

Defining Islamic Investment in a Dynamic Market – Technology, Products and Markets

What represents a holistic and efficient Islamic investment ecosystem, and what is an effective regulatory environment to foster growth for the sector? What are notable recent developments in global Islamic investment management, including those influencing investment patterns, asset allocation and product innovation? What role is technology playing in the evolution of Islamic asset management, and what are the key challenges and opportunities? How are savings and investment rates being stimulated in the GCC, and are suitable Shariah compliant products being developed to meet market needs? We ask an expert panel.

Moderator:

Frederik Wijsenbeek, Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Ethos Invest

Panelists:

Arsalan Tariq, Partner and Head of Banking and Finance, BSA Law
Fahd Chaudhry, Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek, Director, Group Head Institutional and Islamic Asset Management, Kenanga Investors
Oliver von Wolff, Founder and CEO, Helion Capital
Shah Fahad, Deputy Director General, BTD International Fund House

Session 2

Harnessing the Growing Influence of Shariah Compliant Private Capital

How is private capital influencing regional financial markets? How is private credit transforming GCC corporate financing, and what approach should regulators take? What are opportunities for private equity investment and how can this market be effectively navigated? What are opportunities for early-stage Shariah compliant venture capital, and can the success of global venture funds be emulated regionally? How have regional Islamic REITs and property funds performed and what is the likely evolution of these vehicles? Finally, with many infrastructure funds being Shariah compliant, how can this powerful source of capital be harnessed for GCC infrastructure development?

Moderator:

Dr Scott Levy, CEO, Yasaar Capital

Panelists:

Anita Wieja-Caruba, Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Dr John Sandwick, General Manager, Safa Investment Services
Oliver Agha, Professional Associate, Outer Temple Chambers
Zakaria Karkouri, Executive Director – Structuring and Product Development, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Zohaib Patel, Managing Partner, Tenami Capital

Session 3

Innovation and Transformation Roundtable: Asset Management in the New Age

What are the key technological integrations and partnerships that are reshaping regional Islamic asset management, and how are regulators responding to innovation? How are AI and machine learning remodeling asset allocation and how is the implementation of tokenization set to change the industry? What represent the latest Shariah compliant digital assets in use today, and are ECF and P2P platforms fulfilling their potential regionally? What are recent product innovations based on precious metals, and are they significant?

Moderator:

Shah Fahad, Deputy Director-General, BTD International Fund House

Panelists:

Ali Allawala, Head Islamic Banking – UAE and Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Khalid Howladar, Chairman, MRHB DeFi
Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer, Injaz Capital
Saleh Al-Tamami, Co-Founder and CEO, Mamun
Umair Javed, Chief Business Officer, Fasset

Session 4

The Roadmap from COP28: Driving Islamic Sustainable Investment

Post-COP28, what continue to be key features and challenges of regional Islamic asset management, and how are crucial ESG considerations being incorporated? How are investors continuing to encourage portfolio companies to manage long-term climate-related risk and social impact? How is Islamic sustainable investment being supported by innovative activities such as carbon trading, and what opportunities are presented by the carbon markets? What is a realistic assessment of regional ESG guidelines and global taxonomies and their influence on Islamic investors? We seek the views of an influential panel.

Moderator:

Aruna Narayanan, Founder and Chief Impact Enabler, Real Impact Solutions

Panelists:

Husam Abdel Al, Senior Director, Origination and Head of Sustainable Finance, Investment Banking, Mashreq
Luma Saqqaf, Director – Middle East, Africa, India, UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Prasad Dhake, Manager, Markets, Strategy and Risk, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Razvan Dumitrescu, Sustainable Finance Director, Emirates NBD Capital
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia

IFN Investor Middle East Forum Review

IFN Investor Middle East Forum 2024 Review

Investment managers are chasing the Halal premium, but the road is riddled with hurdles. Islamic investors from across some of the most exciting Islamic financial markets share their assessment of the Shariah opportunity....Read More

About The IFN Investor Middle East Forum

We are opening the year with an exciting new brand – IFN Investor Middle East Forum. This forum will feature carefully curated topics – the most pertinent in the world of Islamic investment management today.

Held in one of the most attractive global destinations for Islamic funds, Dubai, IFN Investor Middle East Forum will host leading global experts and industry professionals to engage in high-level discussions on the opportunities, challenges and the future in Shariah investment, private equity and venture capital as well as sovereign wealth and family offices.

IFN Investor Middle East Forum is held in conjunction with the launch of IFN Investor, a new media platform focusing on Islamic investments and asset management covering global, regional and local trends to enable institutions and retail investors and providers make data-driven informed decisions.

Download Post Event Report

Forum Speakers

Ahmed Kareem El Kenzi

Ahmed Kareem El Kenzi

Director, BTD International Fund House - Luxembourg
Ahmed Kareem El Kenzi
Ahmed Kareem El Kenzi
Director, BTD International Fund House - Luxembourg

Ahmed Karim El Kenzi, a chartered accountant from Ordre des Experts Comptables based in France, serves as the director of BTD Luxembourg overseeing operations. He holds a certificate in hedge funds and alternative investment funds from Institut de Formation Bancaire Luxembourg, along with a Diploma in Accounts and Management and a Master’s degree in accounting, control and audit.

With 14 years of experience, Ahmed has made significant contributions to the audit, private equity and alternative investment fund sectors. His career includes roles such as audit senior manager at EY Luxembourg, director of client services at Vistar Luxembourg, and country manager/board member at Ebury Partners Luxembourg.

Throughout his career, Ahmed has demonstrated expertise in financial management and regulatory compliance. He possesses a keen understanding of international finance and has successfully navigated complex financial landscapes. His leadership roles have allowed him to develop strong client relationships and drive business growth.

Ahmed’s commitment to excellence and continuous learning has positioned him as a respected figure in the financial industry.

Ali Allawala

Ali Allawala

Head Islamic Banking - UAE and Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Ali Allawala
Ali Allawala
Head Islamic Banking - UAE and Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq

Mohammad Ali Allawala Head of Islamic Banking UAE, & Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking

Mohammad Ali Allawala has 25-plus years of global experience, having worked in the UAE, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Pakistan. Mohammad Ali is currently working as the head of Islamic banking in the UAE as well as managing Standard Chartered’s global Islamic wealth and retail banking business covering the UAE, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Indonesia and Brunei.

Previously, Mohammad Ali has performed senior management roles including CEO at Standard Chartered Saadiq in Malaysia; head of retail banking at Samba Pakistan; and cards business/portfolio manager at Samba Saudi Arabia and Citibank Egypt. He has extensive experience in launching new markets, business transformation, product management, distribution, digital banking, wealth management and marketing. As an advocate of fintech, sustainable finance and financial inclusion, Mohammad Ali has launched programs across geographies to create value in the Islamic finance ecosystem. His team has been recognized with multiple global and country awards such as ‘Best Islamic Retail Banking Group’, ‘Best Digital Islamic Bank’ and ‘Best Islamic Consumer Banker in Pakistan’. He is passionate about people development and is a certified master life coach of neuro linguistic programming. Ali has an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, Pakistan.

Anita Wieja-Caruba

Anita Wieja-Caruba

Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Anita Wieja-Caruba
Anita Wieja-Caruba
Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority

Anita Wieja-Caruba is an Associate Director at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and has been with the company for close to eight years. During this time, as part of its Strategy, Policy and Risk Division, she has been instrumental in implementing various international standards in the Dubai International Financial Centre including the Financial Stability Board (FSB) Recovery and Resolution Framework and the Basel III reforms. She also works on subjects such as benchmark reforms, client assets protection, equivalence with EU rules, sustainable finance, insolvency law, derivatives and netting as well as compliance framework. Prior to joining the DFSA, Anita worked at the European Commission as an Adviser to Commissioner Michel Barnier on a package of financial reforms following the global financial crisis. Anita qualified as a Finance Lawyer in the City of London (King & Wood Mallesons, ex SJ Berwin), following which she worked at BNP Paribas CIB advising on various aspects of the bank’s structured finance transactions. She holds degrees from BPP Law School (UK), University of Cambridge (UK), College of Europe (Belgium) and University of Silesia (Poland).

Arsalan Tariq

Arsalan Tariq

Partner and Head of Banking and Finance, BSA Law
Arsalan Tariq
Arsalan Tariq
Partner and Head of Banking and Finance, BSA Law

Arsalan Tariq is a Partner and Head of Banking, based between the Dubai and Muscat offices. Practicing since 2009, Arsalan specializes in Islamic and conventional finance, bilateral and syndicated project finance, acquisition finance, Islamic product development, cross-border financing and financial restructuring. His main focus is acting for financial institutions, banks, investment companies, other finance companies and borrowers on banking and finance matters.

Arsalan also advises various industry sectors on private equity investments, power projects, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and hospitality matters. He often represents blue-chip clients, who need advice on commercial agency law, company law and competition law. Arsalan regularly issues legal advice and opinions on free zone rules, employment laws, securities law, insurance law and foreign investment law.
Arsalan regularly advises clients in Oman. He is a barrister-at-law and has been called to the Bar of England and Wales at Lincoln’s Inn, UK. He also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of London, UK and has completed his Bar Vocation Training Course from City University in London.

Aruna Narayanan

Aruna Narayanan

Founder and Chief Impact Enabler, Real Impact Solutions
Aruna Narayanan
Aruna Narayanan
Founder and Chief Impact Enabler, Real Impact Solutions

Aruna Narayanan is a seasoned sustainability advocate and strategic thinker, dedicated to fostering prosperity through environmental stewardship and human empowerment. With over two decades of diverse experience spanning sustainability, ESG, circular economy and corporate social responsibility, she has consistently delivered impactful results. Aruna’s leadership roles in renowned organizations such as Dulsco, Accenture and PureCircle Holdings have honed her ability to guide companies and clients on transformative sustainability journeys, benefiting multiple stakeholders.

Fahd Chaudhry

Fahd Chaudhry

Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Fahd Chaudhry
Fahd Chaudhry
Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey, S&P Dow Jones Indices

Fahd Chaudhry is Director of Client Coverage for the Middle East and North Africa, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Türkiye at S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI). He joined S&P DJI in 2010 and is based in Dubai, UAE. In his role, he works to develop the passive market in his regions and works closely with clients to innovate, strategize and design products that serve the local markets across asset classes. Fahd has extensive experience in capital markets as well as commodity and fixed income markets, strategy, product development, marketing and selling passive solutions. Prior to joining S&P DJI, Fahd held multiple roles in the financial sector in various countries, which included trading and business development in Dubai, London, the US and Iran.  Fahd holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts in Boston and is fluent in English and Urdu.

Frederik Wijsenbeek

Frederik Wijsenbeek

Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Ethos Invest
Frederik Wijsenbeek
Frederik Wijsenbeek
Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Ethos Invest

Frederik Wijsenbeek is a Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Ethos Invest. He joined Ethos in 2023 with 25 years of experience in private equity, private credit, real estate and special situations investing across North America and Europe. Frederik’s expertise lies in sourcing, structuring and executing complex transactions as well as building and leading teams of investment professionals. He has a successful track record of developing and expanding alternative asset management platforms. Frederik was a senior investment team member with more than US$5 billion invested in blue-chip institutional and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) investors across multiple geographies and sectors. Before joining Ethos, Frederik worked at Morgan Stanley Investment Management for a decade. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Frederik was Director and Head of European Direct Private Equity for the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, a leading global pension fund with US$250 billion of assets under management. He was also a Partner at Bregal Investments, a EUR2 billion (US$2.13 billion) private equity fund backed by the UHNW Brenninkmeijer family. Frederik earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction from Stanford University and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School.

Hakan Ozyon

Hakan Ozyon

CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Hakan Ozyon
Hakan Ozyon
CEO, Hejaz Financial Services

Hakan Ozyon’s role as CEO at Hejaz Financial Services involves setting strategic paths and forming financial alliances. With over 30 years of experience in business, he is known for leading innovative strategies and nurturing talent. He is adept at unlocking potential, promoting growth and increasing revenue. Hakan has deep ties in both the Islamic and broader Australian communities, enhancing business operations and setting corporate goals. Notably, he has spent a decade transforming visions into pioneering Islamic financial services. He is respected globally for his business acumen.

Husam Abdel Al

Husam Abdel Al

Senior Director, Origination and Head of Sustainable Finance, Investment Banking, Mashreq
Husam Abdel Al
Husam Abdel Al
Senior Director, Origination and Head of Sustainable Finance, Investment Banking, Mashreq

Husam Abdel Al heads Mashreq’s Sustainable Finance team. Husam works with Mashreq’s clients to provide structuring and advisory services for sustainable finance solutions to support them in accelerating their sustainability transition.

Husam has over 15 years of experience in loan origination, structuring, underwriting and distribution across the MENA region. He has closed numerous transactions for clients in multiple sectors, including sovereigns, energy, industrials, real estate and financials.

Husam holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, completed the Leading Sustainable Corporation Programme certificate from the University of Oxford Said Business School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Florida State University. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst charterholder.

Dr John Sandwick

Dr John Sandwick

General Manager, Safa Investment Services
Dr John Sandwick
Dr John Sandwick
General Manager, Safa Investment Services

Dr John A. Sandwick is a recognized pioneer in Islamic finance. He created the first application of the Modern Portfolio Theory in the context of global portfolio allocations with Shariah certification. He is also noted for organizing innovative domestic and international Sukuk (Islamic bonds), the world’s first global Sukuk fund, a Sukuk participation certificate and the first-ever mid-market Sukuk facility in Saudi Arabia. Dr John served as a visiting professor of finance at Al Yamamah University in Riyadh, and a former instructor in the Graduate School of Finance at University Paris-Dauphine. He frequently taught Master Classes on Islamic finance for groups including central banks, pension funds, family offices and treasuries.

Dr John’s most recent publications on Islamic finance include a popular article in the Journal of Asset Management. He has a Master’s degree in development banking from American University in Washington DC, and a doctorate in business administration from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France. He previously worked at the private banking units of Deutsche Bank (Suisse), Credit Suisse and Encore Management (in association with UBS). He is currently a corporate finance and asset management consultant for Saudi families and businesses.

Khalid Howladar

Khalid Howladar

Chairman, MRHB DeFi
Khalid Howladar
Khalid Howladar
Chairman, MRHB DeFi

Khalid Howladar is the chairman of MRHB DeFi, the world’s first ethical and faith-based decentralized finance platform. In addition, Khalid is an active innovation angel, advisor and board member for a diverse mix of fintech, crypto, edtech and Islamic economy start-ups through his firm Acreditus Partners. Lastly, he is the senior managing director and head of credit and Sukuk for RJ Fleming & Co, the boutique merchant banking advisory of the Fleming family.

With a rare confluence of financial, tech, social and faith-driven perspectives, Khalid is a recognized authority in his fields and has addressed investors worldwide and audiences at the World Bank, IMF, European Central Bank and Institute of International Finance.

Khalid gained industry prominence from his 15 years at Moody’s Investors Service in London and Dubai culminating as both the global head of Islamic finance and the head of the GCC banking team.

Khalid’s most prominent start-up role was as angel and later chairman of Small Pharma, a pioneering psychedelic UK biotech that successfully made the transition from start-up to a public 2021 listing on the TSXV Canada during his board leadership.

Luma Saqqaf

Luma Saqqaf

Director - Middle East, Africa, India, UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Luma Saqqaf
Luma Saqqaf
Director - Middle East, Africa, India, UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Luma Saqqaf is the director of Middle East, Africa and India for the UNPRI Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is a recognized sustainability and sustainable finance thought leader. Prior to joining UNPRI, Luma drew on three decades at the forefront of finance, Islamic finance, sustainability, entrepreneurship and investment in MENA and Europe to advise corporates, financial institutions, funds and asset managers on sustainable finance and transition strategies. Luma’s work also focused on the creation of a sustainable finance ecosystem in the MENA region through close collaboration with regulators, financial markets and other market stakeholders in the MENA refion on sustainable finance initiatives and regulations, including the recent UAE Green and Sustainability-linked Bonds and Sukuk Regulations of 2023.

A former finance partner and global head of the Islamic Finance Group at Linklaters, Luma is a pioneer in the development of the capital markets and ground-breaking capital and financial market transactions across the MENA region and globally, in particular in Islamic finance.

Luma is a regular speaker on sustainability and Islamic sustainable finance topics and is a regular contributor to finance and sustainability sector publications.

Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek

Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek

Director, Group Head Institutional and Islamic Asset Management, Kenanga Investors
Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek
Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek
Director, Group Head Institutional and Islamic Asset Management, Kenanga Investors

Mariam Veronica is the Director, Group Head for Institutional and Islamic Asset Management of Kenanga Investors Berhad (“KIB”). She is responsible for driving the business of both the Institutional and Islamic Asset Management Business of Kenanga Investors Group. Since 2014, her main role is to develop both the conventional and Islamic business by acquiring, retaining and servicing the company’s clients ranging from the government link companies, government agencies, multi-national corporations, corporate clients and HNW individuals, among others. She is also a key advocate for financial Waqf initiatives in Malaysia, promoting the use of Waqf as a sustainable financial tool for social and economic development. Mariam brings with her over two decades of extensive experience in the areas of asset management, unit trust and audit. Her work experience includes the Securities Commission Malaysia, her experiences in the United Kingdom as well as in one of the top asset management companies in Malaysia. Mariam holds a BSc in Accounting and is a Licensed Fund Manager. She is also an alumna of the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.

Oliver Agha

Oliver Agha

Professional Associate, Outer Temple Chambers
Oliver Agha
Oliver Agha
Professional Associate, Outer Temple Chambers

Oliver Agha is a lawyer admitted to the New York Bar who was trained at Fulbright & Jaworski (now Norton Rose Fulbright) in the US and has experience working in Asia (including in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing) and over 20 years in the MENAT region (UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman) including in complex cross-border transactions in excess of US$50 billion. He has been a senior partner/lawyer with top US and English firms and is the Managing (and Founding) Partner of Agha & Co (an award-winning law firm with a speciality in Islamic law), whose practice focuses on the interplay of Islamic law (Saudi Arabia, UAE) and common law.

Oliver is also a Professional Associate at the Outer Temple Chamber of Barristers. He was the first western-trained large law firm lawyer to serve on the board of AAOIFI.

Oliver has served as an expert witness on nuanced Islamic law disputes and is a monthly columnist for Islamic Finance news with a column titled ‘The Islamic Legal Opinion.’

Paula Tavangar

Paula Tavangar

Chief Investment Officer, Injaz Capital
Paula Tavangar
Paula Tavangar
Chief Investment Officer, Injaz Capital

Paula Tavangar, the chief investment officer at Injaz Capital, is a seasoned entrepreneur with a strong background in venture capital and quantitative strategies. She co-founded Genesis Capital LATAM and Wethaq, an Islamic fintech start-up. Paula’s diverse expertise led her to serve on the World Business Angels Forum Global Startup Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in international finance and a Master of Science degree in financial engineering.

Prasad Dhake

Prasad Dhake

Manager, Markets, Strategy and Risk, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Prasad Dhake
Prasad Dhake
Manager, Markets, Strategy and Risk, Dubai Financial Services Authority

Prasad Dhake is an integral member of the Markets, Strategy and Risk (MSR) team at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), where he spearheads the review and listing applications of securities within the Dubai International Financial Centre. Since joining the leading regulator in 2022, Prasad has been responsible for managing and optimizing the various functions of the Listing Authority within MSR, a task which aims to drive efficiency, while maintaining robust regulations in alignment with global standards. Prior to joining the DFSA, Prasad worked at the Securities and Exchange Board of India as part of the Corporate Finance Department. Managing various IPOs worth an approximate US$20 billion, he also oversaw corporate actions including mergers/demergers. Prasad holds a postgraduate degree in management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad as well as a Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Mumbai University.

Razvan Dumitrescu

Razvan Dumitrescu

Sustainable Finance Director, Emirates NBD Capital
Razvan Dumitrescu
Razvan Dumitrescu
Sustainable Finance Director, Emirates NBD Capital

Razvan Dumitrescu is the head of sustainable finance at Emirates NBD Capital and facilitates labeled transactions while benefiting from a global remit. Previously, he was a principal with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and was involved in various milestone transactions in emerging Europe, Greece and Turkiye. On the advisory side, Razvan contributed to a pan-Baltic capital market via a commercial paper, SME IPO Fund (CMDAF), sustainable finance strategy, MSCI single regional index classification, as well as supporting capital market access for state-owned enterprises. He also represented the EBRD at the European Commission led Technical Expert Stakeholder Group. Prior to that, Razvan worked for Erste Group and Deutsche Bank (Amsterdam).

Razvan holds a Master of Science degree from RSM and is an alumnus of the Aspen Programme and University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.

Saleh Al-Tamami

Saleh Al-Tamami

Co-Founder and CEO, Mamun
Saleh Al-Tamami
Saleh Al-Tamami
Co-Founder and CEO, Mamun

Saleh Al Tamami is a seasoned entrepreneur with a remarkable track record of success in various industries. As a co-founder of Mamun, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as CEO.

Saleh’s entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of TAMNET, an information technology and business consulting firm, where he demonstrated his visionary leadership by effectively managing operations and driving growth. Recognizing opportunities beyond the realm of technology, Saleh ventured into the car detailing industry with the launch of KOST, successfully positioning the brand as a prominent player in the market.

Prior to embarking on his entrepreneurial endeavors, Saleh honed his legal acumen as a senior commercial and litigation paralegal at SALegal, a prestigious law firm in Oman. This experience equipped him with a deep understanding of legal intricacies, providing invaluable insights into business operations and strategic decision-making.

At Mamun, Saleh’s role as co-founder and CEO allows him to pursue his passion at the convergence of finance, people and technology. He is a visionary leader committed to developing multi-stakeholder products that foster win-win-win outcomes for all parties involved. With an unwavering dedication to excellence, Saleh is instrumental in driving Mamun’s growth, innovation and success in the finance industry.

Dr Scott Levy

Dr Scott Levy

CEO, Yasaar Capital
Dr Scott Levy
Dr Scott Levy
CEO, Yasaar Capital

Dr Scott Levy is the managing director of Al Waseelah, a Shariah compliant Sukuk issuance platform whose functions include structuring, arranging, originating and listing Sukuk. Al Waseelah was established in 2017 as a tech-savvy and cost-effective way to create Shariah compliant financial instruments, democratizing the process for issuers and investors.

Dr Scott is also the founder of Shariah compliant carbon credits exchange XTCC, the managing director of investment firm BlueMount Capital, and CEO of structured securities solutions provider Bedford Row Capital.

Dr Scott is a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of International Bankers and the Worshipful Company of Musicians, a member of Lincoln’s Inn and a senior member of Wolfson College Cambridge. He is a Visiting Lecturer at Estonian Business School and is part of its thesis review committee for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Shah Fahad

Shah Fahad

Deputy Director-General, BTD International Fund House
Shah Fahad
Shah Fahad
Deputy Director-General, BTD International Fund House

Shah Fahad earned a Bachelor of Science degree (Honors) in Islamic economics from the International Islamic University, Islamabad. He received his Master of Science/Master of Philosophy degrees in Islamic banking and finance from the University of Management and Technology, Lahore, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Islamic economics and finance at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Turkiye (thesis final stage).

Shah Fahad has substantially contributed to the Islamic banking industry over the past 18 years. He has worked as a Shariah compliance officer (Askari Islamic Bank-Pakistan), head of Islamic banking window (Ghazanfar Bank-Afghanistan), vice-president-head of Islamic product development (Islamic Bank of Thailand) and chief of Islamic banking (formerly Bakhtar Bank and now Islamic Bank of Afghanistan), with the additional responsibility of project manager for the conversion of a conventional bank into a fully-fledged (existing Islamic Bank of Afghanistan) Islamic bank. He also worked as the department head of product management and Shariah structuring in MCB Islamic Bank.

Shah Fahad has served the Islamic banking industry in different countries, starting from native country Pakistan, then Afghanistan and Thailand and is now currently working as the deputy director-general of Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA region) at Bait al Tamweel al Dawli – International Fund House at the head office in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali

Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali

Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali
Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia

Sharifatul Hanizah is the Executive Director of Islamic Capital Market Development of the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC). She leads a team that facilitates the developmental and operational initiatives for Malaysia’s Islamic capital market (ICM). This encompasses initiatives through the deepening and broadening of ICM products and services to further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global hub for ICM as well reviews of industry proposals and Shariah status for listed/pre-IPO securities.

Sharifatul has extensive and diverse experience of over 30 years in the fields of investment analysis, portfolio management, equity trading and unit trust while serving in various organizations such as Permodalan Nasional (PNB), RHB Investment Management and Muamalat Invest. During her tenure in PNB and RHB, Sharifatul’s board experience was vast, spanning consumer goods, technology and manufacturing companies. She served on the boards of exchange-listed and private companies as a Nominee Director for PNB and RHB.

Prior to joining the SC in August 2019, Sharifatul was CEO of SIDC, the learning and development arm of the SC. She is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia, a Certified Financial Planner, an Islamic Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia.

Umair Javed

Umair Javed

Chief Business Officer, Fasset
Umair Javed
Umair Javed
Chief Business Officer, Fasset

Umair is the Chief Business Officer of a regulated, U.A.E. headquartered digital and real world assets (RWA) exchange called Fasset. He oversees product and commercial aspects of the business. Having studied in the UK (LSE, Oxford) and the US (Grinnell), Umair has close to 20 years of experience in technology, fixed income and venture capital investing. He has worked at financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, CPP Investment Board, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Citi in New York and London before moving to Singapore to set up his own innovation focussed investment vehicle.

Zakaria Karkouri

Zakaria Karkouri

Executive Director - Structuring and Product Development, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Zakaria Karkouri
Zakaria Karkouri
Executive Director - Structuring and Product Development, First Abu Dhabi Bank

Zakaria Karkouri is currently the executive director of structuring and product development at First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) in Dubai. Previously, he held the position of executive director of structured solutions sales at FAB. Prior to this, Zakaria spent 12 years as the head of structured products and derivatives at Noor Bank in Dubai. Before that, he was the director of structuring, rates and foreign exchange derivatives sales at Standard Chartered Bank, where he was responsible for the Middle East and North Africa structured business for financial institutions, providing customized solutions for clients’ asset and liability requirements across G7 and emerging market currencies.

Zohaib Patel

Zohaib Patel

Managing Partner, Tenami Capital
Zohaib Patel
Zohaib Patel
Managing Partner, Tenami Capital

Zohaib Patel is the managing partner of Tenami Capital — a Dubai-based venture capital investment manager pioneering non-dilutive growth equity investing. He started his career with HSBC Amanah in London and was a founding member of Dubai-based Fajr Capital, a leading regional private equity investment firm, covering principal investments and portfolio management for over a decade. Since leaving private equity in 2017, he co-founded Falcon Network, a MEASA-focused angel investor syndicate which invested across seven markets, prior to co-founding Tenami Capital in 2021. Zohaib graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Trinity College, Cambridge.

Confirmed Delegates for 2024

• 369 Capital Ventures • 52 seconds Capital Limited • Abu Dhabi Investment Council • Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) • Aerobloc • ACMQ • Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank • Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) • Aachener • Ajman Bank • Ajyal Sustainability Consulting • A K Venture Investment • Aditum Investments Management • Alliances International • Accely Group • Adnan Sundra & Low • Aegis Capital Partners • Ajeej Capital • Ajman Bank • Acuma • A IAI Gataullini Fzco • Alam Alfan Computer TR • AIB Future International • AIFC Authority • AIX Invesment Group • Alfalah Investments • Alinma Bank • Allfunds • Alliances International Inc.• Alkhair capital • Alpha Cruz Advisory • Alramth • Al Mal Capital • AlphaPelago IP • Al Safar Partners Law Firm • Al-Tamimi and Company • Amalbank • Amdax • Amicorp • Amina Bank AG • Apex Group • Arieotech • Asap Wealth Consultancy • ASAR – Al Ruwayeh & Partners • Asas Capital • Atlas Asset Management • Atoz Tax Advisers Middle East • Averi Finance • Ayda AI • Bahana TCW Investment Management • Bank FAB • Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam • Bank Nizwa • Bedouin Financial • Beehive • Berkana.VC • Bird & Bird • Board Titans • Business Gate • BSA Ahmad bin Hazeem & Associates • BTD International Fund House • Capedge International • Capital Markets Malaysia • Capital Strategies Partners • Cavendish Maxwell • Central Bank of Nigeria • Channel Capital Advisors • Cereal Crops Trading • Clifford Chance • COCOA Invest • Coral Coast PR • Cotton and Wood International Real Estate LLC • Centrix Commercial Brokers • Cybernova, CRDB Bank • Cresco Capital • Dalma Capital Management Limited • DDCAP • Devmark • Dentons • Diplomatic World • Diplomats Summit SME Chamber of India • Dot Ten Interiors • Dubai Water and Authority Services • DTEC DSO • DGMnetwork • DP World Trade Finance • Dubai Financial Services Authority • ECO Capacity Exchange • Ecox Dubai • ENTO Capital Management • ETC Group • EY Law • Family Homes Funds • FCAP- The falcons • Fiduchi • Finastra • First Abu Dhabi Bank • Franchise Management FMI • Finmaal • Franklin Templeton • FTSE Russell • Golden Global Investment Bank • Greenberg Traurig • Good One Property • Gulf Islamic Investments • Habib Bank AG Zurich • Halliday Growth • Hamfara Investama • Hejaz • Helion Capital • HSBC Asset Management • IANUA • iTeller • Inspira • Icahn Global • Ice Miller • Ideal Ratings • I K Lawyers • International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) • Jazra Investments Limited • K&L Gates • Kenanga Investors • Kensington Capital Equity Partners • King & Spalding • Knights Gate Advisers • Kreston Menon Chartered Accountants • Kroma Capital Partners • KUBE VC • London Capital • Magnus Wealth • MK Internationals • Malaz Capital • Mentor Global Consultants • Middle East Institute of Directors • Mishkat Ventures • Money Protects • MRHB Network • Capital-DIFC • MICS International DMCC • Moody’s Investors Service • Moral Finance Dialogue Ghana • Morgan Lewis & Bockius • Nasser Malalla Advocates and Legal Consultants • National Bank of Fujairah • NBE Sudan • NBK Wealth • Nemara international group • Neurobay, NewParadigm Capital Markets • Nuqi Digital Wealth • Ocean Leonid Investments • Orinox Holding • Ominvest International Holding-DIFC • Oracle Financial Services Software • Pak Oman Investment Company • Passpadu • PraeEminere Advisory DWC • Primecase • QInvest • Raibal Holding • Raya Holding • Realia Family Office • Responsible Investment Ecosystems • Richmond Consultants & Services • RIF trust • RYTS Global • S&P Dow Jones Indices • Safa Investment Services • Saint Johns Investment • Sami Capital • SAAS Healthcare Investment • Salaam Bank • Suvit FZ Saudi Venture Capital Investment Company • Sharjah Finance Department • Securities Commission Malaysia • Sheikh Holdings • Simmons & Simmons Middle East • Sirius Capital • SIX • Societe Generale • Sohar International Bank • SSC Capital • Standard Chartered Bank • Stalliongates Investments • Silicon Valley Invest Club • Spencer West • Sustainable Impact Capital & Holding • Talween Investment Group DIFC • Tari Enterprise LLC • Techpharus • The World Trade group • Taalemi Academy • Tari Enterprise • The Artepreneurs • The Corporate Group • TDD International • Trowers & Hamlins • UIC – Union Insurance • Unicorn Factory Ventures, Vikingur Management • Walton Global • WePelicans Prospective • Winoffice AG • White & Case • World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) • Wk private office • Xross Investment UK Limited • Yes Bank Limited • ZIC Parastatal Organisation • Ztartup

Advisory Board

Anita Wieja-Caruba

Anita Wieja-Caruba

Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Anita Wieja-Caruba
Anita Wieja-Caruba
Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority

Anita Wieja-Caruba is an Associate Director at the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and has been with the company for close to eight years. During this time, as part of its Strategy, Policy and Risk Division, she has been instrumental in implementing various international standards in the Dubai International Financial Centre including the Financial Stability Board (FSB) Recovery and Resolution Framework and the Basel III reforms. She also works on subjects such as benchmark reforms, client assets protection, equivalence with EU rules, sustainable finance, insolvency law, derivatives and netting as well as compliance framework. Prior to joining the DFSA, Anita worked at the European Commission as an Adviser to Commissioner Michel Barnier on a package of financial reforms following the global financial crisis. Anita qualified as a Finance Lawyer in the City of London (King & Wood Mallesons, ex SJ Berwin), following which she worked at BNP Paribas CIB advising on various aspects of the bank’s structured finance transactions. She holds degrees from BPP Law School (UK), University of Cambridge (UK), College of Europe (Belgium) and University of Silesia (Poland).

Asal Saghari

Asal Saghari

Counsel, King & Spalding
Asal Saghari
Asal Saghari
Counsel, King & Spalding

Asal Saghari is the counsel of the corporate, finance and investments practice. Asal has extensive experience in banking and finance. Her areas of practice include finance, Islamic finance and secured and unsecured lending, with a particular focus on advising sponsors, lenders and borrowers in connection with their lending and investment activities in Europe and the Middle East structured on both a conventional and Shariah compliant basis. Asal joined King & Spalding’s London office in 2008 from one of London’s leading international law firms.

Dr Dalal Aassouli

Dr Dalal Aassouli

Assistant Professor of Islamic and Sustainable Finance, Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Dr Dalal Aassouli
Dr Dalal Aassouli
Assistant Professor of Islamic and Sustainable Finance, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Dr Dalal Aassouli is an Assistant Professor of Islamic and Sustainable Finance at Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar.

Dr Dalal was previously a visiting academic at the Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance, Durham University Business School. Prior to that, she worked at the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM) in Malaysia where she assisted with the establishment of the IILM’s Sukuk program. Before that, she held several corporate finance positions in Europe where she had exposure to the African, European and Latin American markets.

Dr Dalal serves on several industry working groups and non-profit global forums such as the CIBAFI Sustainability Working Group, Qatar Financial Center Islamic Finance Taskforce and the Global Impact Fintech Forum. She is also an invited speaker in international conferences and events and provides her consultancy expertise to various organizations on issues related to sustainable and Islamic finance.

Dr Dalal holds a Master’s degree from NEOMA Business School and Paris Dauphine University and a PhD from ENS de Lyon in France.

Dr Dalal’s areas of research interest include Islamic finance in general and its implications for liquidity management, corporate finance, ethical finance, development finance, green finance, food security, sustainable development and SRI.

Husain Alkhaja

Husain Alkhaja

GCC Regional Director, DDCAP
Husain Alkhaja
Husain Alkhaja
GCC Regional Director, DDCAP

Husain is a vastly experienced banker who has been working within the Islamic financial marketplace for the past 30 years for various highly regarded regional and international financial institutions. Most recently, he held senior executive positions within MFAI (Jersey), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DMI Group. This followed his tenure as COO in the CMA-licensed Gulf Investors Asset Management Company.

Having started his career in banking in Bahrain, Husain was appointed the Regional Director and Head of GCC and Islamic banking at Societe Generale where he was based in Dubai. Prior to returning to Bahrain as CEO of Investment Dar Bank, Husain was the General Manager of ADNIF, the Islamic subsidiary of National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

Ijlal Alvi

Ijlal Alvi

CEO, International Islamic Financial Market
Ijlal Alvi
Ijlal Alvi
CEO, International Islamic Financial Market

Ijlal Ahmed Alvi has wide-ranging experience in the financial services industry with regional and international financial institutions spanning over three decades.

As CEO of the International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) for the last 18 years, Ijlal has been devoted to the goal of facilitating unification and harmonization in the Islamic finance industry globally and has overseen the development of universally standardized Shariah compliant financial documentation and product templates in the areas of liquidity management, hedging, trade finance and Sukuk.

In addition to his responsibilities as CEO, secretary to the board and spokesperson of IIFM, Ijlal also manages IIFM’s comprehensive standards development process and leads the project specific market consultation exercise, global working groups and legal documentation drafting process and is actively involved in the IIFM Shariah board’s guidance and approval process.

Ijlal also supervises IIFM’s industry awareness seminars, training workshops as well as publication of white papers on specific industry topics and the IIFM’s flagship annual Sukuk Report.

Ijlal is a regular speaker at international conferences and also contributes articles in various international and Islamic finance publications.

Dr John Sandwick

Dr John Sandwick

General Manager, Safa Investment Services
Dr John Sandwick
Dr John Sandwick
General Manager, Safa Investment Services

Dr John A. Sandwick is a recognized pioneer in Islamic finance. He created the first application of the Modern Portfolio Theory in the context of global portfolio allocations with Shariah certification. He is also noted for organizing innovative domestic and international Sukuk (Islamic bonds), the world’s first global Sukuk fund, a Sukuk participation certificate and the first-ever mid-market Sukuk facility in Saudi Arabia. Dr John served as a visiting professor of finance at Al Yamamah University in Riyadh, and a former instructor in the Graduate School of Finance at University Paris-Dauphine. He frequently taught Master Classes on Islamic finance for groups including central banks, pension funds, family offices and treasuries.

Dr John’s most recent publications on Islamic finance include a popular article in the Journal of Asset Management. He has a Master’s degree in development banking from American University in Washington DC, and a doctorate in business administration from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France. He previously worked at the private banking units of Deutsche Bank (Suisse), Credit Suisse and Encore Management (in association with UBS). He is currently a corporate finance and asset management consultant for Saudi families and businesses.

Khurram Waheed

Khurram Waheed

Partner, Alpha Cruz Advisory
Khurram Waheed
Khurram Waheed
Partner, Alpha Cruz Advisory

Khurram Wahed is a seasoned advisor, investment banker and corporate financer with over 22 years of green and conventional energy, healthcare, infrastructure and sustainability experience. Throughout his career, Khurram has been involved in or led advisory and financing in several transactions in the Middle East, Africa, Turkiye, Europe and Asia in sectors ranging from oil and gas, power and water, healthcare and life science, infrastructure, real estate and mobility/transportation.

Currently, Khurram is a partner and chief portfolio officer of Safe Harbour Capital Ventures, an opportunistic growth fund focused on real estate and the green business, based out of Canada, and he is also a partner at Alpha Cruz Advisory in the UAE.

Khurram is a keen propagator of responsible investment, a regular contributor as a speaker at various events and a writer for various websites on responsible investment, economic warfare/geopolitical strategies.

Khurram has an executive Master in Finance with Distinction (Top 10%) degree from HEC, Paris and also has an MBA with a specialization in finance and marketing from ICFAI Business School, India. He is also a Master of Philosophy candidate, and his research topic is titled ‘From Shareholders’ Capitalism to Stakeholders’ Capitalism, transition of Private Capital into ESG-based Investments/Responsible Investments’.

Kumail Ali Moosa

Kumail Ali Moosa

Senior Specialist, Fund and Portfolio Management, Sohar International Bank
Kumail Ali Moosa
Kumail Ali Moosa
Senior Specialist, Fund and Portfolio Management, Sohar International Bank

Kumail Ali Moosa has over nine years of experience in investment banking, marketing and valuing global investment products including mutual funds, bonds, life insurance products, REITS and local and GCC equities. Prior to Sohar International, Kumail worked at Ubhar Capital as a fund manager, in Standard Chartered Bank’s wealth management division and the US equity market division of Vision Investment Services. He is currently working as a real estate investment manager and assisted in the launch of one of Oman’s first Shariah compliant real estate funds. Kumail has a Bachelor’s degree from Anglia Ruskin University in business administration, specializing in marketing. In addition, Kumail has held the CFA charter since 2019.

Lo’ai Bataineh

Lo’ai Bataineh

CEO, Ominvest International Holding-DIFC
Lo’ai Bataineh
Lo’ai Bataineh
CEO, Ominvest International Holding-DIFC

Lo’ai Bataineh is a seasoned and successful investment banker with over three decades of experience in commercial banking, investment banking, asset management and wealth management. He has experience in establishing, implementing and successfully managing full-service investment banking and asset management businesses. Lo’ai is dynamic and innovative with an ability to capture new market opportunities across multiple sectors and asset classes. Driven to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders, he has extensive experience in matters relating to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and divestment, among others.

Lo’ai has served as an advisor to several regulatory and government committees in Oman. He is an active presenter in business forums, conferences and panel discussions and he contributes regular articles to business magazines and newspapers in both Arabic and English. He holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in money and banking.

Luma Saqqaf

Luma Saqqaf

Director - Middle East, Africa, India, UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Luma Saqqaf
Luma Saqqaf
Director - Middle East, Africa, India, UN Principles for Responsible Investment

Luma Saqqaf is the director of Middle East, Africa and India for the UNPRI Principles of Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and is a recognized sustainability and sustainable finance thought leader. Prior to joining UNPRI, Luma drew on three decades at the forefront of finance, Islamic finance, sustainability, entrepreneurship and investment in MENA and Europe to advise corporates, financial institutions, funds and asset managers on sustainable finance and transition strategies. Luma’s work also focused on the creation of a sustainable finance ecosystem in the MENA region through close collaboration with regulators, financial markets and other market stakeholders in the MENA refion on sustainable finance initiatives and regulations, including the recent UAE Green and Sustainability-linked Bonds and Sukuk Regulations of 2023.

A former finance partner and global head of the Islamic Finance Group at Linklaters, Luma is a pioneer in the development of the capital markets and ground-breaking capital and financial market transactions across the MENA region and globally, in particular in Islamic finance.

Luma is a regular speaker on sustainability and Islamic sustainable finance topics and is a regular contributor to finance and sustainability sector publications.

Maali Qasem Khader

Maali Qasem Khader

CEO and Founder, Middle East Institute of Directors
Maali Qasem Khader
Maali Qasem Khader
CEO and Founder, Middle East Institute of Directors

Maali Q Khader is a highly experienced, effective and trusted lawyer. Today, she is a luminary in the corporate governance, sustainability, legal training and advice sectors.

Maali holds a number of concurrent roles, chief of which is CEO of the influential Middle East Institute of Directors, delivering advanced corporate governance advisory and training to a number of prestigious organizations.

Since 2012, as a founder and board member of the Jordan Institute of Directors, Maali has driven excellence across a number of leading organizations, including Arab Bank, Siniora Food, Kasih, PADICO Group and Medgulf.

Maali is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, an accredited mediator from RICS, a member of the CIPE MENA Advisory Council and a member of the Responsible Business Roundtable established by the OECD. Her natural leadership qualities, entrepreneurship and legal expertise have driven a stellar career, encompassing corporate governance and training and acting as founder and CEO to a number of influential, successful ventures.

Magdy Eissa

Magdy Eissa

Vice-President, Business Development, IdealRatings
Magdy Eissa
Magdy Eissa
Vice-President, Business Development, IdealRatings

Magdy Eissa took on the role of global business development when he joined IdealRatings in 2010 and he has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, working closely with global investment firms, research houses and financial institutions. Prior to IdealRatings, Magdy’s latest role was as the regional manager for a group of Euromoney institutional investor companies, responsible for the Middle East and Africa where he spent several years growing the business in the region and enhancing the products offered to include macroeconomic indicators, company information and Islamic finance data. Magdy holds a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Egypt along with postgraduate qualifications in information technology from the UK.

Mahmoud Sataleh

Mahmoud Sataleh

General manager, BTD International Fund House
Mahmoud Sataleh
Mahmoud Sataleh
General manager, BTD International Fund House

Mahmoud Sataleh, an information technology (IT) expert with a focus on financial technology programming, holds a Master’s degree in IT from the University of Prishtina, Kosovo. Currently serving as the general manager at BTD, his innovative contributions have led to numerous successful projects. Notably, he was the first to translate the Windows operating system into Albanian.

Throughout his career, Mahmoud has programmed operational systems for various industries including hospitals, petroleum companies, hotels, restaurants and charities. His expertise ranges from office administration to inventory and financial automation. Holding diverse roles such as IT supervisor, CEO, CTO, networking administrator, and founder across different organizations, he has consistently demonstrated proficiency in financial management programming and innovative solutions.

Mahmoud’s leadership has enabled him to develop robust technology-based financing models, driving business growth and establishing him as a respected figure in the financial industry. His commitment to excellence and ongoing learning underscores his reputation as a forward-thinking professional.

Dr Martina Macpherson

Dr Martina Macpherson

Head of ESG Product Management, SIX
Dr Martina Macpherson
Dr Martina Macpherson
Head of ESG Product Management, SIX

Martina has almost 25 years of experience in financial markets and ESG, at strategy, products, research, operations, and at board level. She is an award-winning finance, regulatory and sustainability expert, innovator, and entrepreneur.

Martina is currently Head of Product Strategy and Management, ESG, at SIX, the Swiss and Spanish Stock Exchanges Group, oversees SIX’ key ESG products and services council which constitutes of leading internal and external ESG and regualatory experts.

In September 2024, she was appointed to ESMA’s Consultative Working Group of the Sustainability Standing Committee. In addition, she is a founding member of the board at FoSDA, the leading voice of the ESG data, ratings and product industry. She has been part of leading industry associations and initiatives in the field, and nowadays sits on the Advisory Board of FinTech firm SG Analytics, is a member of the All-Parties-Parliamentary-Group (APPG) on ESG at Houses of Parliament UK and of the Sustainability Regulations Working Group at TISA UK. She is also a founding member of the European Law Institute’s Sustainability/Regulations Advisory Group.

Prior to her role at SIX, she was Head of ESG Strategy at ODDO BHF Asset Management, Senior Vice President, ESG and Engagement Strategy at Moody’s, Global Head of ESG Index Products and Research at S&P DJI, Managing Director of Sustainable Investments Partners Ltd. and Vice President of ESG Solutions at MSCI. Earlier in her career, she worked in product, research and commercial roles at Insight Investment, F&C AM and at Deutsche Bank AG.

Martina has an NED Board Governance Certificate from ICSA, and an MBA Certificate in Finance and Business from London School of Business and Finance in the UK, and a M.A. in Law and Human Sciences from University of Frankfurt in Germany. She is a fellow member of the Institute for Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (ICRS) UK, a honorary doctoral fellow of the Institute for Certified Risk Management Professionals (ICRMP) UK, and an alumnus of the German National Academic Foundation (“Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes”). She is currently undertaking a part-time PhD at University of Cardiff, UK, in business, finance and accounting.

Martina is an academic lecturer, writer and public speaker in sustainable investing and has co-authored a range of ESG, regulatory and Fintech (hand)books, including “The AI Book” (Wiley, 2020), the “Handbook on Biodiversity – Species Extinction Accounting and Biodiversity” (Routledge, 2022), the text book on “ESG in Portfolio Analysis” (RiskBooks, 2022) and the first “Handbook on Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Accounting” (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2024). She is currently working on a “Handbook on Climate Finance and Transition Management” (Routledge, 2025 ff.).

For her work in sustainable finance and global ESG leadership, she received a nomination as a “Global Sustainability Ambassador” by the Global Thinkers Forum (Athena 40 Awards) in 2024, and was awarded the title “Top 50 Woman in Finance” by the World Finance Forum (WFF) in 2022. For SIX, she has won finance- and sustainability-related awards in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Mike Tirman

Mike Tirman

Partner, Ice Miller
Mike Tirman
Mike Tirman
Partner, Ice Miller

Mike Tirman is a partner in Ice Miller’s Real Estate Group and advises and represents clients in all areas of real estate law, including acquisitions and dispositions, financing (including various forms of Shariah compliant financing), ground leasing, development, land use and zoning, entity structuring and joint ventures.

Some of Mike’s representative transactions include, among others, r
epresenting a buyer in a US$195 million Shariah compliant acquisition and CMBS financing of a portfolio of 30 industrial properties, representing a landlord in a US$104 million refinance of a portfolio of four industrial properties in New Jersey encumbered by ground leases and representing a REIT in a US$30 million acquisition of a parking garage and execution of a reverse 1031 exchange.

Mike is licensed to practice law in Illinois and Indiana.

Oliver von Wolff

Oliver von Wolff

Founder and CEO, Helion Capital
Oliver von Wolff
Oliver von Wolff
Founder and CEO, Helion Capital

Oliver von Wolff is a venture capitalist and venture builder with experience in architecture and establishing regulated and unregulated investment products. He is the co-founder and CEO of Helion Ventures, a Dubai International Financial Centre-licensed investment company for early-stage tokens and fintech-blockchain companies.

Previously, Olive was the co-founder and managing director of Crypto Oasis and the managing director of the MENA region for CV Labs and CVVC Switzerland, an early-stage venture capital investor and blockchain ecosystem builder, headquartered in Dubai. He was also group CFO and an equity partner of a global crypto asset management and blockchain-focused venture capital group and managing director of a joint venture with a stock listed equity company on the Xetra Frankfurt exchange.

Oliver has over 15 years in management experience, as CFO and co-founder responsible for different start-ups and management buyouts. He has a proven track record in company transformations in different industries and is well connected in Dubai and the GCC region.

Oliver holds an MBA in international management, degrees in economics and business and attended New York University to study international corporate finance.

Omar Shaikh

Omar Shaikh

CEO, COCOA Invest
Omar Shaikh
Omar Shaikh
CEO, COCOA Invest

Omar Shaikh is the founder and CEO of COCOA, a global Islamic compliant digital wealth manager building the future of ethical and Shariah digital financial services. The company is the first to fully incorporate institutional-quality asset management with a focus on delivering affordable, accessible and high-quality products for investors. He previously was part of the investment team at Schroders NewFinance, a multibillion dollar alternative asset manager covering a range of strategies. Omar has also lived and worked in the Middle East, with COCOA’s head office located in the City of London with supporting operations in the Nordics.

Talha Ahmed Khan

Talha Ahmed Khan

Country Manager and Head of Global Investment Unit, Pak Oman Investment Company
Talha Ahmed Khan
Talha Ahmed Khan
Country Manager and Head of Global Investment Unit, Pak Oman Investment Company

Talha Ahmed Khan is a profound investment banker and trainer with more than 12 years of experience in various regions. Currently, he is the head of the Global Investment Unit and the country manager of Oman of Pak Oman Investment Company, an investment banking/development finance institution joint venture between the Sultanate of Oman and the government of Pakistan. He has in-depth knowledge and experience of project finance, syndications, debt capital markets, merger and acquisition structures and transactions revolving around various sectors including renewable energy, technology, telcos, pharmaceuticals, etc, in Islamic and conventional modes. Academically, he has a Master of Science degree from UCL with a distinction in investment management, and certifications such as ACA (ICAEW), FCCA and the CFAESG Investment Certificate, as well as an MBA from IBA. He is an associate chartered banker from the Chartered Institute of Bankers Scotland.

Forum Partners

LEAD PARTNERS

BTD-International Fund House

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BTD-International Fund House, headquartered in Turkiye, operates as a financial holding company with subsidiaries spanning Europe, the Middle East and Asia. It specializes in providing tailored financing solutions for projects ranging from small-scale to large-scale worldwide. Additionally, BTD offers investment and business capital through managed funds and Sukuk issuance. With a diverse investment portfolio encompassing sectors like education, manufacturing, commodity trading, infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and hospitality, BTD maintains a global presence. As a testament to its industry involvement, BTD is affiliated with organizations like the International Securities Lending Association, Luxembourg Private Equity & Venture Capital Association and Association of The Luxembourg Fund Industry. With 25 years of experience, BTD has established robust investment processes and rigorous risk management practices, solidifying its position as a well-established entity in the financial landscape.

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Kenanga Investors

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Kenanga Investors is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kenanga Investment Bank, the largest independent investment bank by equity trading value and volume. Kenanga Investors subsidiaries include Kenanga Islamic Investors (Kenanga Investors’s Islamic fund management arm) and i-VCAP Management (an Islamic ETFs provider). Kenanga Investors provides investment solutions ranging from collective investment schemes and portfolio management services to segregated private mandates and alternative investments for retail, corporate, institutional clients and high-net-worth individuals.

The firm won recognition at the 2022 Morningstar Fund Awards Malaysia, the 2022 Best of the Best Awards and the Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards Malaysia 2022. For the fifth consecutive year, Kenanga Investors was affirmed an investment manager rating of ‘IMR-2’ by Malaysian Rating Corporation, since first rated in 2017. This reflects the firm’s well-established investment processes and sound risk management practices.

For more information, please go to www.kenangainvestors.com.my.

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MULTILATERAL STRATEGIC PARTNERS

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

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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

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

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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.

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International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation

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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

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IsDB Group Business Forum (THIQAH)

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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)

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PARTNERS

Hejaz

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Hejaz is a leading financial institution that delivers a broad range of Islamic financial services across investment management, superannuation services, financial advice and lending to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions and individuals.

Founded in 2014, the firm is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and maintains a presence all around the world.

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IdealRatings

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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.
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S&P Dow Jones Indices

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S&P Dow Jones Indices (S&P DJI) is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has become home to over one million indices across the spectrum of asset classes that have helped define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P DJI has the longest history of providing Islamic market indices since the launch of DJIM World Index, the world’s first Shariah compliant benchmark in 1999. In 2006, the Dow Jones Sukuk Index was launched, which became the first index to track the performance of global Islamic fixed income securities.

Nowadays, S&P DJI offers two highly visible and widely used index families for Shariah compliant investors: The DJ Islamic Market (DJIM) Indices and S&P Shariah Indices. The two index families include thousands of broad-market, blue-chip, fixed-income and strategy and thematic indices that have passed rules-based screens for Shariah compliance and are the most visible and widely-used set of Shariah compliant benchmarks in the world. A majority of the largest asset managers in the Middle East, Southeast Asia as well as major banks/asset managers in Europe and the US that serve a Shariah clientele utilize S&P DJI to construct Shariah compliant investment strategies.

S&P DJI is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/spdji/.

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IFN Monthly Review: April – Regulatory updates support Islamic finance

India introduced an amendment to its Waqf bill to modernize property management in the sector. Kazakhstan began the process of...

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Investment incoming: Shariah compliant real estate finance in demand, ahead of predicted increase in GCC appetite

In the Bank of London and The Middle East (BLME)’s latest thought leadership report titled ‘Strong Foundations’ — based on in-depth…

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Public Investment Fund’s Sukuk: A notable first

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, successfully closed its inaugural international Sukuk issuance with an oversubscription…

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Dubai-based Islamic investment company targets women investors with new product

The phenomenal rise of women investors has piqued serious interest from financial institutions across the world seeking to bank on a new range of commercial…

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

The 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 have also become an integral element of the REDmoney events series and have cemented their position as leading, must-attend, events.

In 2024, we welcome the IFN Investor Forums, which coincide with the new IFN Investor portal.

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

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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.

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Presenting the 3rd Annual Global Shari'ah Majlis: Presenting the 3rd Annual Global Shari'ah Majlis: Transforming for a Better Tomorrow.

Explore pivotal topics with our esteemed speakers on 23rd October 2024, at Movenpick Hotel, Karachi - Pakistan.

Get ready for enlightening discussions at the intersection of faith and progress.

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Tamweel Aloula, a digital financing company in Sau Tamweel Aloula, a digital financing company in Saudi Arabia, has completed its issuance of an Additional Tier 1 Capital Sukuk under its inaugural Sukuk program worth SAR500 million (US$133.05 million).

The issuance marks the first time such a program has been implemented by a non-banking financial institution in the Kingdom. Facilitating the transaction was Impact46, a Saudi investment and advisory firm which acted as the financial adviser and arranger, while legal counsel was provided by Norton Rose Fulbright.

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