IFN OnAir

Adnan Zaylani Mohamad Zahid , Deputy Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

The past few years have seen some landmark deals and transactions in the Omani Islamic finance and Sukuk markets, and this trend can be expected to continue, Asad Qayyum, a managing partner at MAQ Legal, tells IFN's Nessreen Tamano in this podcast episode.

Ahmed Ali Al Maamari , Executive Vice-President, Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman

Evaluating opportunities for crowdfunding in Oman, with nine current providers and potential amendments to crowdfunding legislation. Unique to Oman: new opportunities for private equity and venture capital players in the crowdfunding ecosystem. Implications and reach of the proposed new digital and virtual assets regulatory framework. Building a digital marketplace and ecosystem: tokenization, ICO...

What represents a blueprint for advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy via effective stakeholder collaboration, regulation, resource allocation, positioning and product innovation in the Omani financial services sector? What are the implications for the Islamic sustainable financial services sector of the introduction of various regulatory taxonomies, frameworks and standards? How will n...

The Capital Market Authority of Oman is working on new and updated regulations for virtual assets and the bond and Sukuk markets of the Sultanate, advisor Kemal Rizadi Arbi tells IFN's Nessreen Tamano in this episode. 

The reach and implications of new regulations for the issuance of bonds and Sukuk on products and markets. Discussing the potential issuance of a treasury Sukuk and how it would benefit the Omani Islamic capital market. Examining the Towell Infrastructure Projects syndicated Wakalah, and what the structure means for the Islamic finance market in Oman. Developing the Islamic equity capital market i...

Kumail Ali Moosa , Senior Specialist, Fund and Portfolio Management, Sohar International Bank

Building on the success of Shariah compliant real estate investment funds and trusts domiciled in Oman, as well as direct investment into real estate assets in the Sultanate. Opportunities for regional Shariah compliant funds domiciled in Oman: equity, Sukuk and private equity funds. Private equity and venture capital investment — framework enhancements, cross-border and foreign direct investment...

Reviewing the 10-year journey of formalized Islamic finance in Oman and navigating the coming years through the strategic development of the Omani Islamic financial services ecosystem. The role of Islamic finance in the development of the private sector in Oman. Key market developments: remunerative deposit accounts, a potential treasury Sukuk and the introduction of Wakalah money market liquidity...

Does the UK still enjoy a competitive advantage in the facilitation of ethically and socially responsible investment management? Where and how do faith-based investment solutions play a role in today’s UK market? What are recent innovations in Islamic investment products based on assets such as gold, and what potential do such innovations offer? What is the continuing role of Shariah compliant fin...

The nexus of UK Islamic finance and the path to COP28 — what role should the UK government and financial institutions be playing? How do we further encourage UK Islamic financial institutions to develop Shariah compliant social and sustainable products, including mortgages? Adopting climate risk ratings and external review — what more can companies and financial institutions do to measure climate...

The sustainable finance space is beginning to mature with new regulations being introduced. Marlena Kareem from ISFI speaks to Salmah Bee Mohd Mydin, the executive director of market development responsible for sustainability from the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC), about the SC’s role in the development and implementation of sustainability regulations in Malaysia. 

How will the design, development and distribution of digital Islamic financial services continue to evolve in the near term? How important are regulatory frameworks in creating an environment for the enhancement of the financial services sector’s digital infrastructure? How can digital Islamic financial offerings be effectively scaled, and how is technology helping deliver financial products to un...

The UK achieved several firsts, including the first Sukuk issuance backed by an export credit agency. What was the legacy of this transaction for UK Islamic financial services? How can the UK fully leverage on its reputation for innovative structured financial products and services and cement its position as an arranging center for international Shariah compliant transactions? Assessing the potent...

The UK as an investment destination for Shariah compliant direct investment – an update of active sectors and activities. What is the continued role and scale of Shariah compliant real estate assets in the UK? How do we position the UK as a center for originating alternative asset classes, and what opportunities are on offer? Structuring co-investments between domestic UK investors with internatio...

Fabrice Susini, CEO of Saudi Real Estate Refinance Company, talks to IFN's Nessreen Tamano about the Sukuk and Islamic finance strategy of the company, whose mandate includes providing liquidity to the real estate finance market, as well as sustainable financing solutions to Saudi homebuyers. 

How do we collectively ensure the continued development of UK financial architecture as a platform for the creation and support of new Islamic financial services and Halal economy-focused businesses? How does the UK build on its competitiveness as a global Islamic finance hub and a center for regulatory and legislative developments for Islamic fintech? How can Islamic finance in the UK help develo...

Welcome Address Alderman Vincent Keaveny , Representative of the Lord Mayor of the City of London

Keynote Address Lord Johnson , Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade

Blue finance is making waves in the sustainable finance space. Marlena Kareem from ISFI speaks to Christina Ongoma, the manager of financial institutions group for upstream advisory services at the World Bank Group's private sector development arm, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about how the IFC develops blue and thematic Sukuk in emerging markets.

In the aftermath of a global pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, most of the world is bracing for a global recession; but the GCC had been remarkably resilient throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. How are current macroeconomic conditions impacting the region’s investment landscape?  Vineeta Tan speaks to Akber Khan, the acting CEO of Al Rayan Investments in Doha, to understand what is happening...

In 2022, after 10 years of being established, Malaysian digital platform for investing and fundraising pitchIN received approval from the Securities Commission Malaysia to list Shariah compliant companies on its platform. Sam Shafie, who is the CEO and Co-Founder of pitchIN, talks to IFN's Emir Zainul about his experience of managing a digital crowdfunding platform in Malaysia, their venture...

The use of ChatGPT or generative AI has opened up seemingly limitless opportunities for the Islamic banking industry. Khaled Berjawi, Azentio Software's head of product management of banking and capital markets, shares how the technology is reshaping the sector and weighs on the advantages as well as drawbacks. 

Bursa Malaysia launched the Bursa Carbon Exchange (BCX) last year as the world's first Shariah compliant carbon exchange. Marlena from ISFI speaks to Dr Chen Wei-nee, the head of carbon market at Bursa Malaysia, about the upcoming launch of BCX trading platform and the Malaysian compliance carbon market.