Gautam Datta, Chief Executive Officer, National Takaful Company P.S.C - Watania
Kemal Rizadi Arbi, Expert/Advisor, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman
Khalid Al Kayed, CEO, Bank Nizwa
Lloyd Maddock, CEO, Ahlibank
Mohammad Farrukh Raza, Managing Director, IFAAS
Mohsin Shaik bin Sehu Mohammed, Head of Investment Banking & Capital Markets, Maisarah Islamic Banking Services
Mughees Shaukat, Head, Islamic Finance, College of Banking & Financial Studies
Mustafa M. Al-Lawati, Head – Investment Banking, Project Finance and Syndications, Wholesale Banking Group, Alizz Islamic Bank
Qasim Aslam, Partner, Head of Islamic Finance – Middle East, Dentons
Website: www.banknizwa.om/
Bank Nizwa started operations in January 2013 to offer the people of Oman a unique banking experience that combines Shariah compliant products and services with today’s dynamic financial requirements. Over the past three years, the bank has witnessed steady growth in its customer base as more people seek an alternative solution to conventional banking. With the concept of Islamic banking gaining momentum in Oman, Bank Nizwa continues to offer reliable competitive propositions for customers looking to lead financially secure lifestyles.
In tandem with its ongoing strategy to bring Islamic banking to customers’ doorsteps and fingertips, the bank currently offers a suite of financing, savings and investment products for individual customers. The bank is also in the process of expanding its services to cater to corporate and commercial customers, while providing tailored products for the segments of investment banking and global markets. With innovation at the forefront of its successful operations, Bank Nizwa has been consistently introducing forward-thinking products and services such as the in-house electronic cheque-clearing system.
To date, Bank Nizwa has expanded its reach, opening 11 branches across Oman in Muscat, Ghoubra, Al Khoud, Barka, Nizwa, Samail, Sohar, Ibra, Sur, Al Buraymi and Salalah.
Since its inception, Bank Nizwa has won various awards including four awards in 2015 alone. In addition to recently being named the ‘Best Performing Islamic Bank in Oman’ at the 2015 World Islamic Banking Conference, the bank also received the ‘Best Islamic Bank in Oman’ title at the 6th annual Islamic Finance Awards, the ‘Best Employee Retention and Motivation Program’ award at the annual Middle East Call Center Awards and was recently honored with the ‘Strongest Islamic Retail Bank in Oman’ title at the 7th World Islamic Retail Banking Conference. These accolades reflect the bank’s commitment to become the Islamic bank of choice in the Sultanate.
Website: www.icd-ps.org
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral development financial institution and is part of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group.
The ICD was established in November 1999 to support the economic development of its member countries through the provision of finance for private sector projects, promoting competition and entrepreneurship, providing advisory services to governments and private companies and encouraging cross-border investments.
The ICD has an authorized capital of US$4 billion. Currently, the shareholders of the ICD are the IDB (50%), 53 Islamic countries (30%) and five public financial institutions (20%).
ICD mandate and objectives
The ICD fosters sustainable economic growth in its 53 member countries by:
The ICD selects the financing projects based on their contribution to economic development considering factors such as job creation, Islamic finance development, contribution to exports, etc. The ICD also provides advisory services to governments and private sector groups on policies designed to encourage the establishment, expansion and modernization of private enterprises, the development of capital markets, best management practices and to enhance the role of the market economy. The ICD operates to complement the activities of the IDB in member countries.
The ICD is rated ‘AA/FQ’ by Fitch Ratings, ‘Aa3/P-1’ by Moody’s Investors Service and ‘A+’ by Standard & Poor’s.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tel: (966-12) 6361400; (966-12) 6441644
Fax: (966-12) 644 4427
Email: icd@isdb.org
Website: www.icd-ps.org
Website: www.iciec.com/
The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) is a multilateral export credit and political risk insurer rated ‘Aa3’ with a stable outlook by Moody’s Investors Service. The ICIEC was established in 1994 by the IDB and member countries of the OIC, with an objective to encourage exports from and between member countries as well as to facilitate the flow of foreign direct investment into them by providing and encouraging the use of Shariah compliant export credit and investment insurance/reinsurance solutions.
Website: www.itfc-idb.org
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the IDB Group. It was established with the purpose of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. The ITFC commenced operations in January 2008 and has since consolidated all trade finance businesses that used to be handled by various windows within the IDB Group. Earning an ‘A1’ rating from Moody’s Investors Service reflects the ITFC’s efficiency in service delivery by responding swiftly to customer needs in a market-driven business environment.
Since 2008, the ITFC has provided more than US$40.2 billion of trade financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for the needs of OIC member countries. With a mission of being a catalyst for trade development among OIC member countries and beyond, the ITFC helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity-building tools, which would enable them to successfully compete in the global market.
Contact us at:
Twitter: @ITFCCORP
Facebook: @ITFCCORP
Linkedin: International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC)
Tel: +966 12 646 8337
Fax: +966 12 637 1064
E-mail: ITFC@itfc-idb.org
Website: http://www.itfc-idb.org/en
Website: https://isfd.isdb.org
The Islamic Solidarity Fund for Development (ISFD) is the poverty alleviation arm of the IDB Group and was established as a special fund within the IDB to reduce poverty in its member countries by promoting pro-poor growth, emphasizing human development, especially improvements in healthcare and education, and providing financial support to enhance the productive capacity and sustainable means of income for the poor.
Headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the fund was officially launched during the 32nd Annual Meeting of the IDB Board of Governors held on the 29th-30th May 2007 in Dakar, Senegal. The fund was established in the form of a Waqf (ie trust), with a principal target capital of US$10 billion.
All IDB member countries are expected to announce their financial contributions to the fund and extend technical and moral support to its operations. Two overarching themes, in line with the IDB Vision 1440H, define the focus of the ISFD: Improving and enhancing the income of the poor, and promoting the development of human capital.
Website: www.idbgbf.org
The IDB Group Business Forum – THIQAH – is the main window which acts as enabler and play facilitation and catalyst roles to connect private sector institutions in IDB Group member countries. The main objective of THIQAH is to establish a unique and innovative platform for dialogue, cooperation and inclusive partnership for business leaders committed to partnering in promising investment opportunities. THIQAH’s vision is to position itself as the leading business platform of the IDB Group serving the private sector in member countries and maximizing the achievements of successful investment projects. The primary focus is on maximizing cross-border investments among IDB Group member countries, with the support of IDB Group’s financial products and services (www.idbgbf.org).
Website: www.amjoman.com/
AMJ’s award-winning Islamic finance practice provides clients with advice and representation on a broad spectrum of Islamic finance transactions, regulatory frameworks and products.
The dedicated Islamic finance team comprises international lawyers who have advised high-profile and innovative transactions in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. They combine technical expertise in conventional financing with a deep understanding and commitment to the principles and mechanics of Shariah compliant instruments and transactions. They have the experience and know-how to structure and implement complex investment, finance and debt capital market transactions which meet both Shariah and conventional banking requirements and also satisfy regulatory conditions. The practice is fully integrated with our internationally-ranked finance and capital market practices, giving it unrivaled depth in the market.
The team has advised governments, corporates, Islamic and conventional financial institutions, banks and funds on Sukuk, funds, structured products and securitization and project financing using all the Shariah compliant instruments.
Website: www.ddcap.co.uk/
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in London, with an office in Dubai and a presence in both Saudi Arabia and Malaysia, DDCAP is a leading provider of asset facilitation services and financial technology and system solutions across a diverse range of Shariah compliant products, asset classes and instruments in both the primary and secondary markets. DDCAP’s wholly-owned subsidiaries include DD&Co and DDGI. DDCAP has an extensive track record within the Islamic finance industry, employing over 35 professionals with broad and complementary skill sets drawn from diverse financial industry backgrounds, focused principally on providing service to Islamic financial market participants around the world. DDCAP has its own Shariah supervisory board comprising esteemed Shariah scholars from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Kuwait. DDCAP’s multi-award-winning Shariah compliant ETHOS Asset Facilitation Platform is a bespoke, real-time trade and post-trade services platform providing 24-hour coverage, enabling clients worldwide to purchase from a diverse asset inventory, including commodities, via a secure, web-based portal.
Website: www.dentons.com/
Dentons is a global law firm driven to provide clients with a competitive edge in an increasingly complex and interconnected world. Our Middle East network is one of the largest and longest established of any international law firm in the region – we have been on the ground for half a century. With more than 110 legal professionals, many of them bilingual in Arabic and English, our team delivers a comprehensive understanding of local laws, customs and practices.
Dentons's Islamic finance team is a leader in its field. We are at the forefront of innovation in Islamic finance and work closely with key industry stakeholders. Clients use us for our unrivalled Shariah local knowledge and international expertise across the Middle East, Europe and Asia. We offer a full range of services in domestic and international Islamic finance law advice. Our Shariah solutions are world class, offering practical experience and expertise across a wide range of industry sectors.
Website: https://www.eigertrading.com
Eiger Trading Advisors (Eiger) is a UK-based asset-trading and technology company founded in 2008, which specializes as an intermediary in Islamic financial products.
As a leading intermediary and technology provider within the commodity Murabahah space, Eiger has the unique capabilities to deliver Shariah compliant commodity trading solutions through the Eiger Trading Platform (ETP), a web-based trading system, that we tailor to our bank clients’ exact operational requirements.
The ETP automates the structuring and execution of Islamic banking products for wholesale and retail commodity-backed transactions, including two new enhanced modules:
Eiger is authorized and regulated by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, and is both a member of the London Metal Exchange and an associate of the London Platinum and Palladium Market.
Website: www.idealratings.com/
IdealRatings was incorporated in 2006 in San Francisco with a corporate objective to provide SRI/ESG and Shariah compliant solutions to ethical investors and enable them to identify such instruments across different asset classes in the global market. IdealRatings serves clients in over 30 countries with a range of capital market solutions including:
Website: maisarah-oman.com/Default/Home.aspx
Maisarah, the Islamic banking window of Bank Dhofar, is a full-service provider of a broad range of Shariah compliant financial products and solutions to its customers. Maisarah is one of the fastest-growing Islamic banking entities in the Sultanate of Oman with total assets exceeding OMR540 million (US$1.4 billion) as at the 31st December 2017. Since its launch in 2013, Maisarah has shown tremendous growth by providing excellent Islamic banking experience and offering a range of products and services to meet the needs of its customers. Translating its position as one of the leading Islamic entities in Oman, Maisarah won many accolades since its inception, including the recent award ‘Best Islamic Bank in Oman’ at the Middle East Banking Award Finance’s Achievement Awards 2017.
Maisarah has experienced staff to provide services to its retail customers and corporate customers, in addition to treasury, trade finance and investment banking services. The wide range of Shariah compliant services and products of Maisarah is offered through its 10 retail branches and two corporate banking offices across Oman. Maisarah was also the pioneer in advisory functions, including the recently announced Golden Group Sukuk issue which was completely structured and advised by Maisarah.
Website: www.meethaq.om/
With over US$3.1 billion as of the 31st December 2017, Meethaq Islamic Banking of Bank Muscat is the most popular and largest Islamic banking entity in Oman. We offer a full suite of Shariah compliant Islamic banking products and services, ie deposit products, consumer financing, credit cards, corporate banking, internet banking, mobile banking and a 24/7 contact center for our valued customers and corporate sector.
Meethaq’s products go through the process of Shariah compliance certification by the Shariah supervisory board and are created in line with the guidelines of the Central Bank of Oman.
Meethaq is the first Islamic institution in Oman to introduce personalized banking solutions for high-net-worth customers through its unique and largest priority banking services network with state-of-the-art Hafawa premier lounges.
Meethaq also provides complex/specific Shariah compliant financial solutions to its partner companies for their large projects, supporting the economy of the Sultanate.
Website: www.nomura-am.co.jp/asia_oceania/malaysia
Nomura Islamic Asset Management (NIAM) was established in November 2008 to serve as the global Islamic hub for the Nomura Asset Management (NAM) Group internationally, to provide Shariah compliant investment solutions to our clients worldwide. In the short period since our inception, we have successfully built ourselves as one of the largest Islamic fund management boutiques in the world by assets under management size, and have been ranked among the world’s top 25 largest for the past four consecutive years by Asian Investor.
NIAM is a full-suite investment management office, with capabilities developed for portfolio management, research, and Shariah compliance monitoring for the Islamic equity and Sukuk asset classes, with regional and global coverage. We tailor our Shariah investment solutions to meet the needs of our diverse clientele, including prominent institutions globally, such as central banks, pension funds, financial institutions and corporations. Our investments are in strict adherence and accordance with Shariah principles under the guidance of our panel of Shariah advisors who are among the industry’s preeminent and most experienced Shariah experts or scholars.
In partnership with local and international industry players, we are avid participants in focused initiatives to promote Shariah investing across various markets. We have been involved in various consultations and dialogues with regulators and government bodies to promote a better understanding and support of Islamic investment solutions, not just in Malaysia, but also notably, in Brunei, Indonesia and the Middle East.
Even prior to the establishment of NIAM, we have been in the Islamic asset management space via our local conventional sister company, Nomura Asset Management Malaysia, which has been managing Shariah mandates since 2007. In addition to our adherence to Shariah standards, the NAM Group as a whole is also a signatory of the United Nation Principles for Responsible Investing, and as such we incorporate responsible investment principles into our investment approach.
Website: www.trowers.com/
Trowers & Hamlins is an international law firm, headquartered in the city of London, providing full-service integrated offerings. Today, the firm has over 130 partners and over 800 personnel working across the UK, Middle East and Southeast Asia.
With specialist lawyers in the UK, the Middle East and ASEAN, Trowers & Hamlins has been a market leader in the field of Islamic finance for over 20 years. Ranked in the top 10 UK law firms for Islamic finance, our clients include Islamic finance institutions as well as public and private sector organizations.
The ASEAN region is an area of continuing growth for the firm and in response to our expanding client base, we opened a representative regional office in Kuala Lumpur in July 2012 and were granted a branch license in 2015. We are the first and only international law firm to be licensed in Malaysia.
Our defining characteristics are that we are a friendly and accessible firm which has a commitment to excellence, and which provides a supportive working environment to a wide diversity of individuals.
Website: www.islamicfinancenews.com
Islamic Finance news is the industry's leading, capital markets focused, e-newsletter bringing you unrivalled editorial coverage every week on the global Islamic financial market.
This weekly newsletter provides insightful and intelligent editorial coverage from around the world helping you keep ahead. In addition to a comprehensive weekly review of all the stories from around the globe, interviews, forums, market statistics and data, key industry practitioners contribute via non-biased, educational and up-to-date country and sector reports, giving you a firsthand knowledge and understanding of the Islamic finance markets and instruments from an experts' point of view.
For a trial subscription, please contact +603 2162 7800 or email subs@IslamicFinancenews.com
Website: https://www.ifnfintech.com/
Fintech is one of the most exciting new sectors of the global financial industry, breaking boundaries and challenging preconceptions in one of the shake-ups of the century. A new class of financial players is disrupting the status quo – and financial institutions must embrace this change or face being left behind as the financial landscape transforms beyond recognition.
But although fintech as a whole has been well-served by the media, the Islamic segment has so far made limited penetration on public consciousness – despite the enormous potential it represents for the industry. There is a clear chasm between the multitude of pioneering entrepreneurs, start-ups and fintech firms making waves in the Islamic space; and the interested investors, institutions and stakeholders keen to explore these opportunities.
Recognizing this information gap, IFN is delighted to introduce to you a bespoke multi-channel platform – IFN FinTech.
Comprised of four tranches, IFN FinTech is a one-stop-shop for industry knowledge, networking and communication – supported by our unrivaled global network, our strong social media platform and our trusted multimedia Islamic finance offering.
Website: www.ifncorporate.com/
IFN CORPORATE: Your door to new opportunities
Leveraging the market-leading expertise of Islamic Finance news and the unrivalled global network of REDmoney Group, IFN CORPORATE is a brand-new monthly publication aiming to revolutionize the commercial application of Islamic financial services through education, information and communication.
Designed specifically for the global corporate market, IFN CORPORATE is a simple, sensible and straight-talking summary of Islamic financial instruments, concepts, structures, products and trends that offers an easy-to-understand avenue into the compelling opportunities of Shariah compliant alternatives. Clear, concise and comprehensive, it offers invaluable insight into the Islamic industry and creates an essential platform through which the corporate world and compliant market can communicate.
Website: www.alhudacibe.com
AlHuda Center of Islamic Banking and Islamic Economics (CIBE) is a recognized name in Islamic banking and finance Market for trainings, research and advisory over the last six years. The prime goal has always been to remain stick to the commitments and provide state-of-the-art Advisory Consultancy and Education through various well recognized modes viz. Campus programs, Distance learning programs, Trainings Workshops, Awareness Programs and Islamic Microfinance Products Development all side by side through our distinguished and generally acceptable and known Publications in Islamic Banking and Finance.
We are dedicated to serve the community as a unique institution providing trainings, education and consultancy in the field of Islamic Banking & Finance not only in Pakistan but all over the world. We have so far organized more than 300 trainings, 32 successful campus programs and training courses with numerous national and international students.
Website: www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/
Oxford Business Group (OBG) is a global publishing, research and consultancy firm, which publishes economic intelligence on the markets of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America.
OBG offers a comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic and sectoral developments, including banking, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, industry and insurance.
The group’s acclaimed economic and business reports are the leading source of local and regional intelligence, while its online economic briefings provide an up-to-date in-depth analysis. OBG’s consultancy arm offers tailor-made market intelligence and advice to firms operating in these markets and those looking to enter them.
Website: global-businessmagazine.com
Global Business Magazine & News (GBMN) is committed to delivering the most relevant news, opinion, reviews, interviews, analysis and success stories. GBMN is also a rewarding marketing tool for broad range of business sectors including Finance, Business, Banking, Islamic Finance, Technology, Global Halal Industry, Trade & Commerce and Financial Markets.
Website: www.thebusinessyear.com/
The Business Year (TBY) is a global media group specializing in economic news, research on national economies, and business intelligence across emerging markets. With operations in over 35 countries, we bring first-hand insights to investors, businesses, and governments worldwide.
