Over 1000 delegates from across the world are expected to attend the opening of the two-day World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) 2011 opens today.
David McLean Managing Director of the World Islamic Banking Conference, on the sidelines of the pre-conference workshops told reporters that the conference would sustain the number of delegates which speaks volumes of Bahrain’s status as global Islamic centre.
“We are pleased to see the response of over 200 delegates during the pre-conference workshops which show the interest in the Islamic finance, one of the dynamic segments of the global economy,” David said.
Leading players, industry thought leaders and key regulators in the international Islamic banking and finance industry takes part in the 18th WIBC 2011, opens on Tuesday (today) at the Gulf Hotel in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The three day event which concludes on the 23rd of November is convened under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain and held under the support of the Central Bank of Bahrain.
“In recent years Islamic finance has further transitioned into a dynamic, fast growing and highly competitive market servicing an increasingly international community. This expanding globalization of Islamic finance has now gained significant momentum as manifested by increasing cross-border investment and deal flows that are Shari’ah compliant, greater participation in international Islamic financial markets, and the increased presence of Islamic financial institutions in new jurisdictions. Held under the theme “Competing for Global Growth”, the 18th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC 2011) will set the stage for discussions that will seek to boost the scale of Islamic finance activities across international markets,” David McLean Managing Director of the World Islamic Banking Conference, said.
“This year we have delegates attending from more than 50 countries providing the discussions at WIBC with a truly international perspective.”
The pre-conference workshops kicked off on Monday including pre-conference executive briefing sessions, led by experienced and respected industry experts, will place a range of complex themes in a practical framework, enabling a deeper understanding of the critical issues facing the Islamic finance industry.
“Bahrain has a long and proud history in supporting the progress of Islamic finance. The Kingdom continues to play a pioneering role in the advancement of industry standards, best practices and in developing a strong regulatory structure. We look forward to welcoming back the global stage of the 18th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference to the Kingdom of Bahrain and to continuing its tradition of supporting growth and innovation in the international Islamic finance industry. The past few years were so challenging for Islamic finance but at the same time the future raises several business development potentials and opportunities which we are all looking forward to explore during the 18th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference,” Khalid Hamad Abdul-Rahman Hamad, Executive Director Banking Supervision, Central Bank of Bahrain, said.
A similar view was expressed by Shaikh Mohamed Bin Essa Al-Khalifa, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board.
“Bahrain continues to be widely recognised as a global leader in Islamic Finance, and is also home to a number of central bodies which set the standards for the industry across the globe. Guiding over thirty countries on conducting business by Islamic principles has provided many investors with the confidence they need despite the turbulent market conditions in recent years. We have built a solid foundation for Islamic banking in the Kingdom; presently there are more than twenty five Islamic banks and the monthly issues of the Sukuk Al-Salam Islamic securities are regularly over-subscribed.”
“Given our heritage in Islamic Banking, and our commitment to a strong future for the sector, we are proud to continue to host and support the 18th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference.”
“With a proven track record as a leading international financial centre and a long history of building strong regulatory infrastructure, the United Kingdom is keen to further establish its links and partnerships with the international Islamic finance industry. Given the UK’s strong financial and trade links with the Gulf and South East Asia, which are the major centres for Islamic finance, there are tremendous opportunities for cross-border investment flows that are Shari’ah-compliant. The progress made by UK firms in the Islamic finance industry is notable and the UK Pavilion at the World Islamic Banking Conference 2011 will be an opportune platform to showcase the Islamic finance capabilities of the UK and further build our relationships with the leading international players,” Iain Lindsay OBE, British Ambassador to Bahrain, said.
The eagerly anticipated 2011/12 edition of the World Islamic Banking Competitiveness Report, developed in collaboration with Ernst & Young, will also be launched on-site at the 18th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference in an exclusive session on the 22nd of November 2011.