We assess the steps the Kingdom has taken to facilitate the Islamic finance ecosystem over the past year and ask how successful these measures have been. We discuss the introduction of the benchmark Sukuk in 2018, the initiation of the local Takaful market as well as the introduction of REITs and other investment management structures. We also discuss opportunities and challenges facing domestic Islamic banks, including successfully growing deposit bases and effectively managing liquidity.

Will the recent Sovereign Sukuk enable the expansion of the Moroccan sovereign, sub-sovereign and private-sector Sukuk market in support of the national development plan? What does the Sovereign mean for the local market and what investment and liquidity management opportunities does it offer domestic Islamic banks? Through an expert panel we analyze product structures, the securitization regulatory framework, ratings, structuring issues and the use of SPVs in asset transfer and ownership. We also discuss the recent launch of the Moroccan Islamic Equity Index and discuss opportunities for local capital market participants and asset managers.

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

Through an expert panel we discuss the launch, development and regulation of REITs in Morocco: where is the market today and what will the coming year bring? How can challenges such as asset quality and diversification be overcome and what is current investor sentiment and appetite for REITs?

We take a comprehensive look at the nascent domestic Takaful market, identifying challenges and asking how they can be overcome. What is the current status of the Takaful industry in terms of regulation, awarding of licenses, market readiness, product offerings and potential market penetration?

Now in its fourth year, the highly acclaimed IFN Dialogue will once again bring together a select group of Morocco’s leading Islamic finance industry’s practitioners and regulators to openly discuss the benefits and concerns facing the Shariah compliant financing and investment market today.

This thought-provoking exclusive closed-door session brings together the industry’s elite with extensive knowledge of that particular market and industry regulators. The Morocco Dialogue will consist of local regulators and industry practitioners and international key players with a solid understanding of the local market but with an outsider’s point of view.