Monday, 21^st October 2013

• Cover Story
• Islamic Finance News
• Agenda
• IFN Country Analysis
  • Japan: Land of the rising sun
• IFN Sector Analysis
  • Japan: Beyond Shariah and corporate governance
• Features:
  • Late to the table: Which Asian nations are going hungry at the feast?
    Islamic finance is a booming industry with a strong growth rate that is attracting participants from all over the world as the flaws in the conventional industry are increasingly exposed and countries seek alternative means of diversifying their financial bases. LAUREN MCAUGHTRY takes a look at the line-up
  • The IFN Law Poll 2013
    Following June’s comprehensive voting procedure and an exhaustive due diligence process, Islamic Finance news is delighted to reveal the highly anticipated results of our fifth IFN Law Poll — in which we see some of the best known firms build on past success while some surprise entrants also emerge with newer players forging their own reputations in the industry. Read on to learn this year’s results and discover who the industry believes are at the top of their game in 2013

Tuesday, 22^nd October 2013

• Cover Story
• Islamic Finance News
• Agenda
• Keynote Address:
  • Regulatory perspectives on the development of Islamic financial markets: Sustaining growth with stability
• Features:
  • Asia: An intriguing proposition
    Markets move according to sentiment. Wherever investor confidence is high, the money is sure to flow. NAZNEEN HALIM discovers how Asia has become a source of comfort to GCC investors particularly in the Shariah compliant space
  • Class of 2013: IFN Islamic Investor Poll Results Revealed
    The IFN Islamic Investor Poll, now in its third year, is the outcome of a comprehensive survey of the global Islamic asset management industry to establish the key movers and shakers of the past year, as voted for by the industry itself. In this issue we reveal who topped the class of 2013, as the results of this year’s poll are finally unveiled

Asia is undoubtedly one of the most important markets due to its position as the industry’s driver, and the core markets within the continent, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Sri Lanka. With its natural disposition for Islamic finance due to its population demographic, and the right talent, these countries are expected to continue attracting Shariah compliant investments and funds; and inevitably become market leaders with continued regulatory support and proper infrastructure development. The IFN Asia Forum remains our flagship event.

An Introduction

Currently the most liquid and resource-rich market, Asia has become the focal point for investors looking to escape the financial drubbing experienced by western markets. Perhaps the key to Asia’s popularity is its status as an emerging market, which directly implies a gamut of untapped investment opportunities for development and capital requirement to serve its growing population. With its natural disposition for Islamic finance due to its population demographic, countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Brunei are expected to continue attracting Shariah compliant investments and funds; and inevitably become market leaders in the area with continued regulatory support and proper infrastructure development.

The growth figures for Asia are staggering, and nothing less than impressive. Southeast Asia alone is expected to grow at an average of 5.6% in 2012, up from 5.3% in 2011, while intra-trade between South Asia and the Middle East has seen a hike to 11% over the last year, and is expected to remain on an upward trajectory; all this amid the cacophony in the global financial markets. However, Asia’s position as an emerging market also places it in a Catch-22 situation; while growth is hard to be ignored, risk is equally high, and an unfamiliarity among the global financial community with the business dealings within Asia and a perceived disparity in business cultures and norms has somewhat created trepidation among investors looking to park their money in what seems to be the world’s most bustling region in terms of growth and issuer activity.

In terms of Islamic finance, market players are confident of key areas within Asia such as project and infrastructure financing, development of soft sectors such as IT and healthcare, and wealth management to name a few. And many are restless for the Islamic finance community to focus on this emerging market and tap the existing growth opportunities to further boost the industry’s position; and perhaps to some degree popularity, among the general investment community. Should Islamic finance successfully work in tandem with Asia’s growth story, there is no doubt that the market will eventually achieve what it has always sought – the elusive question of critical mass and secondary market deepening.

IFN Asia Issuers & Investors Forum will take you around Asia and explore these growth opportunities, question Asia’s exhibited resilience towards the world’s current financial woes, investor appetite for Asian-based investments and of course, their concerns.

Through a series of exclusive regulatory country presentations, practitioner-led round-table discussions, non-debatable power presentations, original case studies and sector focused side sessions, the IFN Asia Forum in 2013 will again be the key, must-attend industry event for issuers, investors, regulators and all financial intermediaries involved in the Islamic financial markets with the slightest interest in the Asian markets.

With the proper implementation of regulations and the provision of sufficient infrastructure, the capital markets of Asia will continue to thrive and attract liquidity from all over the world. From being an exotic market with immense growth potential, Asia is now in the driving seat to become the world’s new economic giants.