IFN OnAir

In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Aleem Siddiqui Guiapal speaks about the evolving landscape of Islamic finance in the Philippines, exploring the recent inauguration of Maybank's Islamic banking branch in Zamboanga. They delve into its potential impact on local economies and the broader Islamic finance industry.

Tawarruq remains a key tool in Islamic finance despite ongoing debates around its structure. In this episode with IFN journalist Radhika Das, Elias Moubarak discusses the legal challenges, regulatory developments and cross-border complexities of Tawarruq, offering insights into its flexibility and future prospects. 

Private credit strategies are gathering momentum among Islamic investors. In this episode with IFN Managing Editor Vineeta Tan, Walter Gontarek, CEO of Channel Capital Advisors, explores different Shariah compliant private credit strategies, opportunities and prospects of this exciting asset class. 

Post-COP28, what continue to be key features and challenges of regional Islamic asset management, and how are crucial ESG considerations being incorporated? How are investors continuing to encourage portfolio companies to manage long-term climate-related risk and social impact? How is Islamic sustainable investment being supported by innovative activities such as carbon trading, and what opportunities are presented by the carbon markets? What is a realistic assessment of regional ESG guidelines and global taxonomies and their influence on Islamic investors? We seek the views of an influential panel.

Moderator:
Aruna Narayanan, Founder and Chief Impact Enabler, Real Impact Solutions

Panelists:
Husam Abdel Al, Senior Director, Origination and Head of Sustainable Finance, Investment Banking, Mashreq
Luma Saqqaf, Director – Middle East, Africa, India, UN Principles for Responsible Investment
Prasad Dhake, Manager, Markets, Strategy and Risk, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Razvan Dumitrescu, Sustainable Finance Director, Emirates NBD Capital
Sharifatul Hanizah Said Ali, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Development, Securities Commission Malaysia

What are the key technological integrations and partnerships that are reshaping regional Islamic asset management, and how are regulators responding to innovation? How are AI and machine learning remodeling asset allocation and how is the implementation of tokenization set to change the industry? What represent the latest Shariah compliant digital assets in use today, and are ECF and P2P platforms fulfilling their potential regionally? What are recent product innovations based on precious metals, and are they significant?

Moderator:
Shah Fahad, Deputy Director-General, BTD International Fund House

Panelists:
Ali Allawala, Head Islamic Banking – UAE and Head Wealth and Retail Banking – Group Islamic Banking, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Khalid Howladar, Chairman, MRHB DeFi
Paula Tavangar, Chief Investment Officer, Injaz Capital
Saleh Al-Tamami, Co-Founder and CEO, Mamun
Umair Javed, Chief Business Officer, Fasset

How is private capital influencing regional financial markets? How is private credit transforming GCC corporate financing, and what approach should regulators take? What are opportunities for private equity investment and how can this market be effectively navigated? What are opportunities for early-stage Shariah compliant venture capital, and can the success of global venture funds be emulated regionally? How have regional Islamic REITs and property funds performed and what is the likely evolution of these vehicles? Finally, with many infrastructure funds being Shariah compliant, how can this powerful source of capital be harnessed for GCC infrastructure development?

Moderator:
Dr Scott Levy, CEO, Yasaar Capital

Panelists:
Anita Wieja-Caruba, Associate Director, Policy and Legal, Dubai Financial Services Authority
Dr John Sandwick, General Manager, Safa Investment Services
Oliver Agha, Professional Associate, Outer Temple Chambers
Zakaria Karkouri, Executive Director – Structuring and Product Development, First Abu Dhabi Bank
Zohaib Patel, Managing Partner, Tenami Capital

What represents a holistic and efficient Islamic investment ecosystem, and what is an effective regulatory environment to foster growth for the sector? What are notable recent developments in global Islamic investment management, including those influencing investment patterns, asset allocation and product innovation? What role is technology playing in the evolution of Islamic asset management, and what are the key challenges and opportunities? How are savings and investment rates being stimulated in the GCC, and are suitable Shariah compliant products being developed to meet market needs? We ask an expert panel.

Moderator:
Frederik Wijsenbeek, Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Ethos Invest

Panelists:
Arsalan Tariq, Partner and Head of Banking and Finance, BSA Law
Fahd Chaudhry, Director, Client Coverage MENA, CIS and Turkey, S&P Dow Jones Indices
Hakan Ozyon, CEO, Hejaz Financial Services
Mariam Veronica Abu Bakkar Seddek, Director, Group Head Institutional and Islamic Asset Management, Kenanga Investors
Oliver von Wolff, Founder and CEO, Helion Capital
Shah Fahad, Deputy Director General, BTD International Fund House

Ahmed Kareem El Kenzi, Director, BTD International Fund House – Luxembourg

Takaful Oman’s CEO Neelmani Bhardwaj shares insights into the burgeoning Islamic insurance sector of the Sultanate, as well as Takaful Oman’s expansion plans in the short and medium term, with IFN’s Nessreen Tamano in this podcast episode.

In this IFN Podcast episode, Munirah Khairuddin, the country head and CEO of Principal Asset Management Malaysia speaks to Nessreen Tamano of IFN about the rising popularity and impact of digital investing, especially in the context of Shariah compliant finance, in Malaysia and around the world.