MANAMA, 21 November 2007 — With experts predicting growth to continue to surge in Islamic banking at rates that exceed conventional banks into 2008, the challenge for leading institutions will be to focus on segments that have the greatest potential for exciting growth.
Over 1,000 conference delegates representing more than 35 countries will come to Bahrain to join the debate on Islamic Finance at the 14th annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) on Dec. 8-10 at the Gulf International Convention Center.
The focus will be on the key strategic drivers of the industry and feature specific summits on retail banking and corporate & investment banking sectors. Discussions will focus on opportunities in each market: Sukuks, which have recently transformed the dynamic Islamic investment banking landscape, will be highlighted.
The conference will also address the increasing market and product sophistication that is forging the next generation of Islamic financial solutions that will drive further growth in the consumer banking segment.
Now in its 14th year, the WIBC has firmly established itself as the largest and most significant gathering of Islamic banking & finance industry leaders in the world.
European Islamic Investment Bank (EIIB) will participate in WIIBC 2007 as the corporate & investment banking partner. John Weguelin, managing director, European Islamic Investment Bank PLC, said: “WIBC is the one event that successfully brings together the major players in the Islamic finance market and is unquestionably the most important conference on the Islamic banking calendar.”
European Islamic Investment Bank Plc is the first independent, Shariah-compliant Islamic investment bank to be authorised and regulated by the UK’s Financial Services Authority (FSA).
Headquartered in London, EIIB’s range of products and services include Shariah-compliant investment banking activities such as Islamic treasury and capital markets, structured trade finance, asset management, plus private banking and corporate finance & advisory.
The “Corporate & Investment Banking Summit: Pinpointing the Next Wave of Big Deals”, to be held on Dec. 10, focuses on exploring key trends in the corporate & investment banking markets, the latest developments in the Islamic capital markets and implications for players, the way forward for Sukuk, liquidity management, and segments which will offer the greatest opportunities in wholesale banking.
The session will be moderated by Campbell Steedman, International Managing Partner (Dubai), head of corporate finance (Middle East), Norton Rose (Middle East) LLP.
The summit will be hosted by Bahrain Islamic Bank.