We discuss key ideas, issues and themes influencing Islamic finance and investment. From the growth of the Halal economy, to commodity prices, to product innovation and regulation, to global trade and protectionism, to the ascendancy of technology – what will offer opportunity and what will disrupt? Finally, we ask what role Islamic finance will play in the development of social inclusion and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in the coming year.

We ask a panel of senior representatives of regulators, standard-setting bodies and exchanges for their views on the evolution of regulatory frameworks for Islamic finance and discuss successful approaches to regulating financial technology.

We ask leading markets professionals what continued global volatility means for liquidity and the performance of capital markets. We discuss the prospects for regional and global bond and Sukuk markets in a rising interest rate environment. What structures and asset classes will find favour with investors in a more volatile investment environment, and which will not? We also examine the effectiveness of credit enhancement measures in the fixed income market and discuss the associated rating implications.

We offer an update on how Islamic financial centres and FinTech start-ups engage with each other on what makes a conducive FinTech ecosystem, what measures are necessary to attract start-ups and spur and support innovation.

What does financial technology mean for the Islamic banking, capital markets and asset management? Where will technology offer the most significant disruption: managing money or optimising distribution channels, or both? We also discuss the role of blockchain, cryptocurrencies and tokenisation in banking, capital markets and asset management.

What is the real proposition for the Islamic asset management industry? Is it a thematic investment strategy or a viable, self-supporting industry? How large potentially is the market and should it become more aligned to ESG/SRI? Do passive products – largely ETFs – offer superior performance over active management, and if so, why? We also discuss key challenges facing the industry today, from reversing redemptions and outflows, to building investor confidence and trust, to alleviating fee pressure and improving distribution channels through technology. Through an engaging panel we seek answers.

We examine what is driving the demand for responsible, environmental and green finance and ask how ethical and Islamic finance can potentially become closer interlinked. We also discuss shifts and trends in the growth of ESG among asset managers and owners and ask 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? Will we see the launch of more socially conscious ETFs?