IFN OnAir

How are changing demographics and evolving market trends driving the development and delivery of Islamic banking and Takaful products and services, and what are we learning along the way? In addition to retail, are we fulfilling the need for effective digital corporate and commercial banking products? We ask an expert panel

Moderator:

Vineeta Tan, Managing Editor and Director, Islamic Finance news

Panelists:

Imrish Singh, Business Development Director for ISV Ecosystem Financial Services, Red Hat Asia Pacific
Rafiza Ghazali, CEO, KAF Digital Bank
Waseem Yusaf, Senior Vice President – ASEAN, Systems Limited
Wong Foong Hin, Principal Consultant, Temenos Malaysia

Abdullah Haron, Deputy Secretary-General, Islamic Financial Services Board

Mohamad Ali Iqbal Abdul Khalid, Assistant Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia

Are Islamic financial institutions outperforming their traditional counterparts, and how are asset quality, funding stability, and liquidity shaping the sector’s resilience? What role is product innovation — from banking products to funds and fintech platforms, to ESG-aligned offerings — playing in driving growth? And how are regulators, financial institutions, and investors adapting to build a more dynamic and sustainable Islamic finance landscape?

Moderator:

Oliver Agha, Managing Partner, Agha & Co and Columnist, IFN (The Islamic Legal Opinion)

Panelists:

Bilal Parvaiz, CEO, Standard Chartered Saadiq
Dafinah Ahmed Hilmi, CEO, Hong Leong Islamic Bank
Faris Lodin, Wahed Global Advisory Board and Member of Wahed Ventures Investment Committee
Mohammed Parekh, Founder and CEO, MRP Premier Group
Nitish Bhojnagarwala, Associate Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group, Moody’s Ratings

How have domestic Islamic financial institutions performed, and what is a realistic assessment of asset quality, funding and liquidity conditions in the banking market? How is digital transformation advancing the development of new Islamic banking and Takaful products in Oman, and can technology be better applied to improving user experience? How can Islamic financial products incorporate important sustainability characteristics and recognise climate risk?

Moderator:

Aisha Al Kharusi, Deputy Executive Chair, Modern College of Business and Science

Panelists:

Ahmed Ibrahim Lamei, Senior Manager, ITS Dr Eskandar Shah, CEO, ISRA International Consulting Firas Al Lawati, Deputy CTO for Digital Transformation, Central Bank of Oman Mohammed Al Hashmi, Chief Compliance Officer, Bank Nizwa Rafiza Ghazali, CEO, KAF Digital Bank

Ahmed AlMamari, Vice President FSA

This panel will showcase leading Malaysian corporations from sectors that complement the diversification priorities of Oman Vision 2040, highlighting their scale, governance standards, and global growth strategies. Through compelling corporate success stories, the session will promote long-term partnerships and present attractive growth and investment opportunities that foster mutual economic development and sustainable value creation.

Moderator:

Alan Inn, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, CGS International Securities Malaysia

Panelists:

Andrew Tan, Group Managing Director, Tanco Holdings
Benjamin Ong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Pavilion Group
Fitri Othman, CFA, Deputy Director General, Federal Land Development Authority
Liew Kong Fatt, Chief Financial Officer, Solarvest Holdings

This panel will present Malaysia as a compelling investment destination, showcasing how a resilient economy thrives on a deep and liquid capital market. Discussions will explore Malaysia’s investment track record, growth potential, and long-term value creation, all grounded in strong governance, international best practices, and a robust investor protection framework. These strengths reinforce investor confidence and underscore Malaysia’s reliability as a trusted gateway into ASEAN’s dynamic economy—aligned with Oman Vision 2040’s goals of economic diversification, sustainability, and enhanced global partnerships.

Moderator:

Bilal Parvaiz, CEO, Standard Chartered Saadiq Malaysia

Panelists:

Azman Mokhtar, Chairman, MIFC Leadership Council
Fad’l Mohamed, CEO, Bursa Malaysia
Professor Dr Aznan Hasan, Shariah Advisory Council, Securities Commission Malaysia
Azizah Mohd Yatim, CEO, CGS International Securities Malaysia
Saif Shawqi, Director, Fitch Ratings

Faiz Azmi, Executive Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia

What motivates issuers and investors to choose Shariah compliant structures over conventional? We explore the strategic, commercial, regulatory, and ethical factors that shape this decision—ranging from market demand and investor preferences to regulatory incentives and reputational considerations. We examine what these choices reveal about evolving market dynamics and the future development of Islamic financial services.

Moderator:

Mohsin Shaik Sehu Mohamed, Head of Investment Banking and Capital Markets, Dhofar Islamic

Panelist:

Ahmed Tabook, Head of Treasury, Tax and Insurance, OQ Base Industries