Boasting one of the world’s most sophisticated financial markets rooted in transparency and a sound legal framework, and bolstered by a pro-business, stable and open economy, Singapore has all the hallmarks of a potentially successful global Islamic financial market.

Although neighboring Malaysia may be the Shariah finance stronghold of the region, but the Lion City has the advantage as an international financial center, acting as the gateway to China and the wider east. Captivated by its world-class financial infrastructure, over 200 international banks have made Singaporetheir home and springboard into the region, and an increasing number of these banks are recognizing the growing demand for dollar Shariah compliant services leading them to set up Islamic finance desks as a strategic move to capture international Shariah dollars from clients across Asia and the Middle East looking to access the global markets.

Singapore is acknowledged by its global peers as a premier wealth management hub offering investors direct access to a gamut of investment opportunities across Asia and the world, and is well-positioned to leverage both its robust wealth management expertise as well as the burgeoning wealth of Asia, to develop a strong Islamic asset management industry. Not to mention, the city-state is a hive of vibrant fintech activities including some of the earliest Shariah compliant fintech developments which could further facilitate the country’s Islamic finance ambitions.

IFN Singapore Forum will gather influential Islamic finance thought leaders to find out how the Asian Tiger can fully utilize its competitive advantages to shape itself as a regional and international center of Shariah finance excellence.