Key Islamic
banking conference opens here? -By Harsha Jethnani
The Straits Times - Jun 14, 2010
THE first Asian chapter of the World Islamic Banking Conference
kicks off here
today, focusing on where this fast-growing sector is heading in
Asia and the
Middle East.
At the two-day event, hosted with the support of the Monetary
Authority of
Singapore (MAS), policymakers and industry leaders will take part
in high-level
discussions and debates.
There will also be discussions on Islamic funds and investment
opportunities;
the outlook for the industry in specific markets, including
Singapore; business
drivers for Islamic finance and areas of research in the
sector.
Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang, who
is also
deputy chairman of MAS, will deliver the inaugural address at the
opening of
the conference.
The governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Mr Rasheed M. Al
Maraj, and the
governor of the Central Bank of the UAE, Mr Sultan Bin Nasser Al
Suwaidi, will
lead the first keynote session. They will talk about the next phase
of growth
for the Islamic banking industry in Asia and the Middle East.
In addition to regulators from the Gulf Cooperation Council,
speakers at the
conference include market practitioners and academics involved in
Islamic
finance.
Over 350 industry players representing more than 170 Islamic
financial
institutions are expected to attend the event, which is being
organised by
Dubai-based business information services firm, Middle East Global
Advisors.
Key findings from this year's edition of an Ernst & Young
report on Islamic
funds and investments will also be presented.
The Islamic Bank of Asia will host a gala dinner tonight as part of
the
conference.
An exhibition on Islamic financial services is being held
concurrently with the
conference, which is taking place at the Raffles City Convention
Centre.
The conference will end tomorrow.