Oman is benefiting from a reassuringly stable macroeconomic environment that is not only encouraging investment but supporting the sustained regulatory push towards market development. The banking market is developing rapidly — and there is much interest in the market as it comes at a time when Oman as a sovereign is itself in need of funds, which has led to a greater focus from a state level in terms of developing the Islamic finance industry.
2015 has seen some positive developments such as the formation of the fi rst assembly of Oman’s High Shariah Supervisory Authority and the inauguration of the Central Bank of Oman’s specialist department to oversee Islamic banking, with the aim of building up resources and expertise and centralizing all aspects of Islamic banking regulation and issuance. In addition, the domestic Takaful market is also picking up, with final approval for the Capital Market Authority (CMA)’s draft Takaful regulation expected soon.
Although Oman was one of the last GCC states to join the table, it is clearly pushing forward hard in its attempt to grow the industry. In February 2016, REDmoney and Islamic Finance news will host the inaugural IFN Oman Dialogue and Seminar, a one-day double formatted event targeting both the local and international communities to converge and assist in the continued development of the Islamic financial markets in this rapidly growing Sultanate. This proposal outlines how you can play in integral role in both this timely groundbreaking event and the general future development of the Islamic financial markets in Oman.
The Seminar
This half-day seminar will focus on the opportunities available today in the Omani market for both capital raising and investment in the Shariah compliant space. With an expected audience of approximately 100, this intimate event will gather the leading players with an active interest in the local and international Islamic financial markets.
A series of key-note addresses, presentations, panel discussions and case-studies will highlight the benefits and opportunities currently available in Oman. Fully interactive with the encouragement of audience participation, this Seminar will be filmed and made available exclusively on IFN-TV to a truly global audience.
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H.E Abdullah Salim Al-Salmi
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H.E Hamood bin Sangour bin Hashim Al Zadjali
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The Dialogue
IFN Dialogues offer an independent and impartial platform for the identification and resolution of specifi c issues, challenges and opportunities facing the industry through a high-level discussion designed to determine the potential development of a particular country, sector or asset class.
Chaired by IFN’s Managing Editor (or Lead Sponsor) this thought-provoking exclusive session brings together the industry’s elite with extensive knowledge of that particular market and industry regulators.
The Oman Dialogue will consist of local regulators and industry practitioners and international key players with a solid understanding of the local market but with an outsider point of view
Agenda
IFN Oman Seminar
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09:15 - 09:30 |
Keynote Address H.E Hamood Sangour Hashim Al Zadjali — Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman |
09:30 - 10:15 |
Islamic Finance in Oman: An Industry Roadmap Industry leaders provide insight on what Oman’s Islamic finance landscape will look like in five years and what market players and regulators will need to do to get there. With developments already taking place in each major sector, how can sustainable growth be achieved in Oman’s banking and capital market sectors? What is Oman capable of achieving domestically and what is the outlook for cross-border Islamic finance activities?
Moderator: |
Qasim Aslam — Partner, Dentons |
Panelists: |
H.E. Abdullah Salim Al-Salmi — Executive President, Capital Market Authority Ehab Hashish — Deputy General Manager Wholesale Banking, Alizz Islamic Bank Dr Jamil El Jaroudi — CEO, Bank Nizwa Sohail Niazi — Chief Islamic Banking Officer, Maisairah Islamic Banking Services, Bank Dhofar |
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10:15 - 11:00 |
How Will Recent Developments Shape the Omani Islamic Capital Market?
- What needs to be done to ensure sustainable capital market activity?
- A look at recent domestic transactions and what it means for future capital-raising in Oman
- Regulatory and legal considerations in structuring transactions: Are further regulations needed and how can current obstacles be sidestepped?
Moderator: |
Jonathan Fried — Partner, Linklaters |
Panelists: |
Abdul Rahman Barham — Board Member, Tilal Development Co Ahsan Ali — Managing Director, Standard Chartered Saadiq Dr Ashraf al Nabhani — Chairman, Muscat Securities Market Kemal Rizadi Arbi — Expert/Advisor, Capital Market Authority Mansoor Jamal Malik — Managing Partner, AMJ |
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11:00 - 11:30 |
Coffee & Networking Break |
11:30 - 12:15 |
Investors Roundtable: Outlook for the Shariah Compliant Investment Market
- How has the asset management industry performed and what is the outlook for 2016?
- Legal framework surrounding Islamic investment opportunities within and into Oman
- Impact of economic climate on investor demand
- Investment trends and product strategy: Fixed income investments, private equity, wealth management
- Key sectors and markets for Shariah compliant investments: Health care, education, real estate
Moderator: |
Lauren McAughtry — Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news |
Panelists: |
Adeel Sarfraz — Fund Manager, Ahli Bank Mohsin Shaik Sehu Mohamed — Director and Head of Islamic Finance, Al Madina Investment Ramlie Kamsari — CEO, Nomura Islamic Asset Management Salman Ahmed — Partner, Trowers & Hamlins |
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12:15 - 12:35 |
Deal Dialogue: Government of the Sultanate of Oman OMR250 million (US$647.13 million) Sovereign Sukuk Perspectives of issuer, arranger and legal counsel
Moderator: |
Lauren McAughtry — Managing Editor, Islamic Finance news |
Panelists: |
H.E. Mohammed Jawad Hassan — Ministry of Finance & Government of Oman Sukuk Committee Dr Caroline Bolle — Head of Investment Banking, Bank Muscat Salman Ahmed — Partner, Trowers & Hamlins |
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12:35 - 13:20 |
Future Gameplan: Where Do We Go From Here? With significant success in recent transactions under its belt, Oman has all the makings of being a serious contender in the Islamic investment space. What’s next?
- Opportunities and challenges for Islamic banking and finance in continuing the growth of the
industry.
- Takaful – How will the industry move forward and what can domestic players learn from their GCC
neighbors?
- How does the CMA manage Shariah governance and will this change?
- The role of the National Shariah Board and how it has benefited the industry
- Crowdfunding: The role of Shariah-compliant funds for SME businesses
Moderator: |
Abdulkader Thomas — CEO, Shape Financial |
Panelists: |
Abdullah Al Jufaili — General Manager, Sharakah Ahmed Al Mamari — Director-General, Directorate of Insurance Supervision, CMA Gauttam Datta — CEO, Al-Madina Takaful Lo’ai Bataineh — Chief Investment Officer, Oman Arab Bank Mohamad Noranuar Sajari — Senior Manager of Shariah Structuring, Bank Nizwa |
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13:20 - 14:30 |
Networking Luncheon |
IFN Oman Dialogue
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14:30 - 17:00 |
The IFN Oman Dialogue This two and a half-hour closed-door round-table styled session, is for a select group of Oman’s leading Islamic finance industry’s practitioners and regulators, to openly discuss the benefits and concerns facing the Shariah compliant financing and investment market today.
Moderator: |
Lauren McAughtry — Managing Editor, Islamic Finance News |
Panelists: |
Ahmed Al Mamari — Director-General, Directorate of Insurance Supervision, CMA Ahsan Ali — Managing Director, Standard Chartered Saadiq Asad Qayyum — Senior Associate, Al Busaidy, Mansoor Jamal & Co (AMJ) Dr Ashraf Al Nabhani — Chairman, Muscat Securities Market Gauttam Datta — CEO, Al-Madina Takaful Dr Jamil El-Jaroudi — CEO, Bank Nizwa Kemal Rizadi Arbi — Expert/Advisor, Capital Market Authority Lo'ai Bataineh — Chief Investment Officer, Oman Arab Bank Mohamed Said Al Abri— Director-General, Directorate of Issues & Disclosures, CMA Mohsin Shaik Sehu Mohamed — Director & Head of Islamic Finance, Al Madina Investment Moosa Jadidi — Deputy General Manager & Head of Retail, Alizz Islamic Bank Neil D Miller — Global Head of Islamic Finance, Linklaters Qasim Aslam — Partner, Dentons Salman Ahmed — Partner, Trowers & Hamlins Sohail Niazi — Chief Islamic Banking Officer, Maisarah Islamic Banking Services - Bank Dhofar Sulaiman Al Harthy — Deputy CEO, Meethaq Islamic Banking |
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Refreshments
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17:00 - 17:30 |
Networking & Refreshments Light refreshments for those participating in the Dialogue |
Photo Gallery IFN Oman Seminar
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
The IFN Oman Dialogue
                    
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