MANAMA, 11 December 2004 — The 11th world Islamic banking conference will start today in Bahrain with Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa ibn Salman Al-Khalifa attending.
The event brings together participants from 27 countries from across the world. The conference will run until Dec. 13 at the Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Center.
Forty Six speakers and panelists will engage the participants in stimulating discussions in eight interactive sessions moderated by BBC broadcaster Tim Sebastian.
A new feature, The WIBC Competitiveness Report, the world’s first research-led initiative designed to not only identify but also to raise the bar of financial performance and strategic excellence in the Islamic banking and finance industry, will be launched at the event.
“Kuwait Finance House is delighted to be a Gold Partner of the WIBC 2004. This is an exciting time for our bank and our industry and we are pleased to provide our support,” said the general manager, Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat. “We are happy to participate in such an important forum that brings the industry together and serves as a platform for stimulating debate and new ideas on how best to take the industry forward and capitalize on the significant growth opportunities and demand for Islamic banking and financial products on a global basis.”
The eight conference sessions are entitled Regulation, Supervision and Innovation: Creating a Framework for Islamic Banking and Finance to Thrive, Improving Performance and Ensuring Sustainable Growth for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions in an Increasingly Competitive Global Market, The Islamic Financing of Complex Transactions, Innovations in the Islamic Financial Industry: Assessing Growth Opportunities in New Products and Markets, International Media Perceptions of the Islamic Banking and Finance Industry, Assessing the Latest Developments in Islamic Capital Markets: Emerging Trends in Sukuk and Key Financial Instruments, Global Risk Management and Governance: Tackling the Unique Risks Facing Islamic Banks and State of the Industry: Performance, Growth and the Way Forward.
Two pre-conference workshops on Takaful and the WIBC Competitiveness Report will run concurrently today.
“Our support for this prestigious event is primed to highlight the importance of providing a conclusive forum for industry leaders to convene and discuss the future of Islamic finance, including Takaful, and to help enforce the need for leading Islamic institutions to coordinate their efforts to further advance this rapidly growing sector,” said Robert King, general manager, Family Takaful, Solidarity.
The world Islamic banking exhibition will run alongside the conference on Dec 12 and 13 days and will showcase Islamic banks, finance companies, insurance companies and IT providers specializing in banking and finance solutions.
