The growing importance of the Islamic finance market

The General Authority of Civil Aviation of Saudi Arabia achieved the distinction to issue the single largest Sukuk worth $ 4 billion in January 2012. The Kingdom's Sukuk market is now considered the third largest in the world, after Malaysia and the UAE, and is expected to continue to climb up the issuance ladder moving forward.
The growing importance of the Islamic finance market will be the subject of a two-day event on Monday Nov.12 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh which will feature an Issuers Day and an Investors Day. The event will also address key issues concerning Saudi Arabia and the Gulf's current economic climate and follow up on the latest developments within the region's Islamic financial market. They will include recent governmental efforts, issuer and investor interest, potential capital market issuances, as well as tax and regulatory updates.
Arab News will be sponsoring the event among others major companies.
In its inaugural year, the Islamic Finance news Saudi Arabia Forum 2012 is part of the globally renowned Islamic Finance news Forum series, which also includes the globally renowned and recognized annual Islamic Finance news Asia Forum; now in its eighth year.
The IFN Saudi Arabia Forum 2012 is the first of its kind in the Kingdom, focusing on the Islamic Issuers and Investors in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
The event is set to bring together industry experts and market movers from the global Islamic finance industry.
An official spokesman said the Saudi Arabian capital market has opened up at an unprecedented speed over the last year, with major capital market issuances dominating the Kingdom's bond market.
The Kingdom is also expected to play a major role in the utilization of Islamic bond issuances for the purpose of project and infrastructure financing, with major developments in the pipeline.
The Forum will feature prominent players from around the world, market experts and regulators to share their knowledge and expertise with the Saudi Arabian and Gulf market. It will explore the opportunities within the region for Islamic issuers, investors, corporate and financial institutions.
Amongst the topics to be discussed include: The continuous rise of the Islamic capital markets in the Gulf and beyond. A global perspective on Sukuk structures and transactions - Latest Developments, Applications & Challenges. Key considerations facing issuers in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Case Study: SATORP Sukuk. Project & infrastructure financing challenges and opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Pivotal Islamic investment & wealth management developments in Saudi Arabia. Developing Islamic private equity and venture capital in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf.
Key issues facing investors in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf. Gaining Traction: Islamic Treasury, Derivative and Hedging Products in Saudi Arabia.
Among the confirmed speakers include: Sheikh Dr Mohamed Ali Elgari, Shariah Scholar, Saudi Arabia. Emad Al Monayea, Vice Chairman, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Liquidity Management House, Kuwait. Humphrey Percy, Chief Executive Officer, Bank of London and Middle East • Kamal Mian, Head of Asset Finance, Saudi Hollandi Bank. Muhammad Farhan, Head of Islamic Finance, HSBC Saudi Arabia. Ayham Al Yousef, Chief Executive Officer, AlBilad Investment Company. Mohammad Kamran Wajid, Chief Executive Officer, Emirates NBD Capital. Salman Akbar, Assistant General Manager - Islamic Structuring, Samba Financial Group. Lilian Le Falher, Executive Manager, Head of Treasury, Financial Institutions & Capital Markets, Kuwait Finance House, Bahrain. Raed G. Al-Barakati, Senior Vice President-Investment Banking Department, Riyad Capital. Jawad Ali, Managing Partner - Middle East Offices & Deputy Global Head of Islamic Finance, King & Spalding. Craig Nethercott, Partner and Co-Chair of Islamic Finance Practice, Latham & Watkins.
With over 600 delegates confirmed, and supported by major players in the Islamic finance industry, the IFN Saudi Arabia Forum 2012 is set to become a must-attend event for issuers and investors looking to tap the booming Gulf market.