Date: 8th March 2020
Venue: Ritz Carlton DIFC, Dubai
Attendees:
Speakers: 30 Speakers
ABOUT THE FORUM
The World Leaders Summit has become one of Redmoney’s annual seminal events. This one-day event is tailored to provide an opportunity for the industry’s most influential figures to congregate and openly debate the most pressing issues facing the GCC Islamic finance block with a focus on the UAE.
The GCC is expected to be one of the key drivers in the expansion of Islamic finance with the governments of this coalition driving the growth of Islamic bonds with Sukuk — which is becoming a global instrument — issuance expected to reach US$120–130 billion.
FORUM AGENDA
FORUM SPEAKERS
ADVISORY BOARD
Last Visit to Dubai
Returning in 2019, IFN will bring the World Leaders Summit, a one-day event designed to celebrate the latest developments and biggest achievements in the Islamic financial market space, to Dubai. The Islamic debt capital market space has gone from strength to strength to become a sought-after asset class not only for diversification but for performance and return, with global Sukuk issuance expected to reach US$90-100 billion by the end of this year.
IFN World Leaders Summit 2019 was an ideal gathering for specialists to interact openly with other experts from around the world and look for solutions together that will make Islamic finance a more transparent and investor-friendly world while always putting client’s rights first.

It was a well-organized event as always. In addition, I was impressed with the diverse set of co-panelists.

The event was very well organized and panel speakers were engaging.

IFN World Leaders Summit 2019 organized in Dubai has provided me with an exceptional opportunity to network with major stakeholders of the Islamic finance world and to get insightful and valuable views on the market, its key challenges and major evolution. All attendees were highly knowledgeable and experienced. Finally the organization was flawless. An event worth penciling in one’s agenda if willing to get an overview of the Islamic finance market going forward.

Last Visit to Dubai
Returning in 2019, IFN will bring the World Leaders Summit, a one-day event designed to celebrate the latest developments and biggest achievements in the Islamic financial market space, to Dubai. The Islamic debt capital market space has gone from strength to strength to become a sought-after asset class not only for diversification but for performance and return, with global Sukuk issuance expected to reach US$90-100 billion by the end of this year.
Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar, CEO, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre
Dr Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, CEO, Securities and Commodities Authority
Bryan Stirewalt, Chief Executive, Dubai Financial Services Authority
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 the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the coming year.
Qasim Aslam, Partner, Dentons
Arsalaan Ahmed, CEO, HSBC Amanah Malaysia
Bryan Stirewalt, Chief Executive, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Salman Bajwa, Head of Asset Management, Emirates NBD Asset Management
Shamzani Hussain, Managing Director and Head of Global Islamic Banking, FAB Siraj
Shibeer Ahmed, Partner, Winston & Strawn
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.
Abdulkader Thomas, CEO, SHAPE Knowledge Services
Dr Bello Lawal Danbatta, Secretary-General, IFSB
Ijlal Alvi, CEO, International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM)
We ask leading market professionals to discuss the prospects for regional and global capital and Sukuk markets in the coming months. What structures and asset classes will find favor with issuers and investors in a more volatile investment environment? We also examine distribution, ratings and credit enhancement measures, and identify other factors facing issuers in the Sukuk market.
Yavar Moini, Financial Sector Expert, World Bank Group
Debashis Dey, Partner, White & Case
Esam El-Makkawy, CFO and Interim Company Secretary, Souq Extra
Fabrice Susini, CEO, Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company
Issam Al Tawari, Founder and Managing Partner, Newbury Consulting
Roshan Shah, Executive Director – Corporate Advisory Services, Al Mal Capital
Through an expert panel we identify what constitutes a successful fintech ecosystem and ask what measures are necessary to attract start-ups and spur and support innovation. We also analyze where technology, through platforms such as blockchain, will offer the most significant disruption: managing money, optimizing distribution channels, or both?
Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news
Mohammed Alsehli, CEO, Wethaq
Mohamed Damak, Senior Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance, S&P Global Ratings
Mohammed Kateeb, Group Chairman and CEO, Path Solutions
Peter Tavener, CFO, Beehive
Raheel Iqbal, Managing Director, Technology Investments, Finocracy
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
Philip Judge, CEO, Physical Gold Fund
Zaineb Sefiani, Founder, Carrera Learning
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.
Emilio Escartin, Professor of Islamic Finance, IE Business School
Anita Yadav, Head of Fixed Income Research, Senior Director, Wholesale Banking, Emirates NBD
Hakan Ozyon, Senior Portfolio Manager, Global Ethical Fund
Omar Rana, Co-Founder and Director, Finalytix
Sandeep Singh, Senior Director and Regional Head, Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Franklin Templeton Investments
William Tohmé, Regional Head – MENA, CFA Institute

Bryan Stirewalt
Chief Executive
Dubai Financial Services Authority

Dr Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi
CEO
Securities and Commodities Authority

Abdulla Mohammed Al Awar
CEO
Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre

Abdulkader Thomas
CEO
SHAPE Knowledge Services

Anita Yadav
Head of Fixed Income Research, Senior Director, Wholesale Banking
Emirates NBD

Arsalaan Ahmed
CEO, HSBC Amanah Malaysia

Dr Bello Lawal Danbatta
Secretary-General
IFSB

Debashis Dey
Partner
White & Case

Emilio Escartin
Professor of Islamic Finance
IE Business School

Esam El-Makkawy
CFO and Interim Company Secretary
Souq Extra

Fabrice Susini
CEO
Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company

Hakan Ozyon
Senior Portfolio Manager
Global Ethical Fund

Ijlal Alvi
CEO
International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM)

Issam Al Tawari
Founder and Managing Partner
Newbury Consulting

John Durham
Manager – Depository, Gold Corporation
The Perth Mint

Mohammed Alsehli
CEO
Wethaq

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

Mohammed Kateeb
Group Chairman and CEO
Path Solutions

Omar Rana
Co-Founder and Director, Finalytix

Peter Tavener
CFO, Beehive

Philip Judge
CEO
Physical Gold Fund

Qasim Aslam
Partner
Dentons

Raheel Iqbal
Managing Director, Technology Investments
Finocracy

Roshan Shah
Executive Director- Corporate Advisory Services, Al Mal Capital

Salman Bajwa
Head of Asset Management
Emirates NBD Asset Management

Sandeep Singh
Senior Director and Regional Head, Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa
Franklin Templeton Investments

Shamzani Hussain
Managing Director and Head of Global Islamic Banking
FAB Siraj

Shibeer Ahmed
Partner
Winston & Strawn

William Tohmé
Regional Head – MENA
CFA Institute

Vineeta Tan
Managing Editor
Islamic Finance news

Yavar Moini
Financial Sector Expert
World Bank Group

Zaineb Sefiani
Founder
Carrera Learning

Issam Al Tawari
Founder and Managing Partner
Newbury Consulting

Khalid Howladar
Managing Director and Founder
Acreditus

Lawrence Oliver
Director and Deputy CEO
DDCAP

Mian Nazir
CEO
Dar Al Sharia

Mohamed Redzuan Abdul Hanif
Acting Head, Structured Finance
Al Hilal Bank

Nabil Issa
Partner
King & Spalding

Samer Hijazi
Partner, Head of Abu Dhabi Office
Grant Thornton

Sohail Zubairi
Projects Advisor
Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre

Yavar Moini
Financial Sector Expert
World Bank Group

Vince Cook
CEO
National Bank of Fujairah PJSC
IFN World Leaders Summit 2019 was an ideal gathering for specialists to interact openly with other experts from around the world and look for solutions together that will make Islamic finance a more transparent and investor-friendly world while always putting client’s rights first.

It was a well-organized event as always. In addition, I was impressed with the diverse set of co-panelists.

The event was very well organized and panel speakers were engaging.

IFN World Leaders Summit 2019 organized in Dubai has provided me with an exceptional opportunity to network with major stakeholders of the Islamic finance world and to get insightful and valuable views on the market, its key challenges and major evolution. All attendees were highly knowledgeable and experienced. Finally the organization was flawless. An event worth penciling in one’s agenda if willing to get an overview of the Islamic finance market going forward.

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