Kuwaiti investors have long been recognized as highly active investors not only in the GCC but also in the US and Europe. As Kuwaitis continue to look for innovative Shariah compliant investment options the country’s regulators have begun the process of revising laws to allow for more domestic activity in the Shariah compliant space.
With new regulations in place to develop the Islamic capital markets in Kuwait and more in the pipeline the IFN Kuwait Forum 2015 will once again focus on both inward as well as outward investment, opportunities for Sukuk and outlook for real estate investment globally.
Opening Panel Session: Outlook for Islamic Finance in Kuwait
Prospects for the Islamic banking industry in Kuwait
Developing a domestic Sukuk market : Progress and challenges
Infrastructure and mega projects under the new five-year development plan: An opportunity for Islamic finance?
Investment in real estate: What’s next for the Kuwaiti investor?
How important is capturing the SME financing market segment for Islamic financial institutions in Kuwait and the GCC?
New PPP Law: Utilizing Islamic infrastructure financing in public-private partnership ventures
Moderator:
Abdulkader Thomas – CEO, SHAPE Financial
Panelists:
Emad Al Monayea – Board Director and CEO, Kuwait Finance House Investment Fahed Boodai – Chairman, Gatehouse Bank Hossam Abdullah – Partner, ASAR-Al Ruwayeh & Partners Issam Z Al Tawari – Chairman and Managing Director, Rasameel Structured Finance Company Paul McViety – Legal Director, Head of Islamic Finance, DLA Piper
10:00 - 10:15
Presentation: Macroeconomic Outlook for Kuwait and the GCC Tariq Al-Rifai – Head of Research and Investor Relations, Kuwait Finance House
10:15 - 10:45
Coffee & Networking
10:45 - 11:15
Treasury and Liquidity Management in the GCC’s Islamic Financial Institutions
Recent developments in capital adequacy norms for Shariah compliant banks
How can Kuwaiti banks join the GCC in the issuance of Tier 1 and 2 securities and what will a lack of investment grade issuances mean for the market?
The outlook for liquidity management products and investments to enable financial institutions to manage short-term funds. How to convert excess liquidity inbanks’ accounts into tradable papers?
The use of global Islamic commodity platforms in liquidity management
Moderator:
Qasim Aslam– Partner and Head of Islamic Finance – Middle East, Dentons
Panelists:
Abdulkader Thomas – CEO, SHAPE Financial Ahmed Abbas – CEO, Liquidity Management Center, Bahrain Philippe O Piette – Chairman and CEO, WVB Global Financial Intelligence
11:15 - 11:30
Presentation: Shariah compliant Securitization Challenges under Kuwaiti Law and Practice Alex Saleh – Partner and Head of Kuwait Office, Al Tamimi & Company
CMA Law No. 7 of 2010, foreign funds placement and the rise of Islamic funds in Kuwait
Where are Kuwaiti Shariah-compliant dollars being invested?
Which asset classes are preferred among Kuwaiti investors? What trends are we likely to see in the future?
What do emerging markets have to offer Islamic investors in Kuwait?
Moderator:
Jawad Ali – Managing Partner, Middle East Offices, King & Spalding
Panelist:
Cassim Docrat – Director, DDCAP Group, UAE Emad Al Monayea – Board Director and CEO, Kuwait Finance House Investment Mohammad Al-Qahtany – Managing Director, Abwab Capital
11:55 - 12:15
Deal Dialogue: National Industries Group KWD105 million (US$ 347.4 million) Syndicated Financing
Moderator:
Rizwan Kanji – Partner, King & Spalding
Panelist:
Mubasher Sheikh – Chief Financial Officer, National Industries Group Yusuf Chorghay – Manager-Investments, Warba Bank
12:15 - 13:00
Sector Investment Opportunities for Kuwaiti Investors
Investment trends, strategies and risks for the global real estate market
New investment sectors: Outlook for investments in renewable energy, environmental assets , aviation and the transportation sector
Exploring private equity in education and health care as emerging asset classes
Venture capital and regional startups
Moderator:
Kavilash Chawla – Partner, Bâton Global and Visiting Scholar, International Business Program, Drake University, USA
Panelists:
Bishr Al Boukai – Senior Associate, Al Markaz Law Firm Mohamed Mokhtar – Vice President, IdealRatings, Egypt Mohammed Jaffar – Former Chief Executive Officer, Talabat Moulay Omar Alaoui – President andCEO, International AirFinance Corporation Muhannad Al-Sane – Founder, Chairman and CEO, Al Riyada Finance & Investment Co.