Seminar on the Role of Islamic Finance in the Development of Africa to Tap Potential Outlook for Islamic Financial Services in the Continent

Seminar on the Role of Islamic Finance in the Development of Africa to Tap Potential Outlook for Islamic Financial Services in the Continent

Kuala Lumpur, 13 August 2012 – The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) is organising its first Seminar focusing on the Islamic financial services in Africa which will be held on 6 to 7 September in Mauritius, hosted by the Bank of Mauritius.

This Seminar which is targeted at regulatory authorities and financial institutions from African nations interested in developing or exploring Islamic Finance will be held at the InterContinental Mauritius Resort Balaclava Fort. It is organised with the following objectives:

1. To discuss the potential outlook for Islamic financial services in the development of Africa, the building blocks of Islamic financial services, some major instruments of Islamic financial services and products.
2. To present the opportunities and future challenges for regional cooperation in developing the soundness and stability of the Islamic financial services industry in Africa.

Regulatory and supervisory authorities and market players involved in development and supervision of Islamic financial services and products, as well as those involved in development issues and projects are encouraged to participate in this Seminar. Among confirmed chairpersons and speakers include:

1. H.E. Rundheersing Beenick, Governor, Bank of Mauritius
2. H.E. Sanusi Lamido Aminu Sanusi, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria
3. Mr. Jaseem Ahmed, Secretary-General, Islamic Financial Services Board
4. Mr. Ian Johnston, Chief Executive, Dubai Financial Services Authority, UAE
5. Mr. Daud Vicary Abdullah, President and Chief Executive Officer, International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF)
6. Mr. Ahmad Hizzad Baharuddin, Director-General, Labuan Financial Services Authority, Malaysia
7. Mr. Hussien Iman, Chief Investment Officer, African Development Bank
8. Mr. Najmul Hassan, Advisor to the CEO, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, Saudi Arabia
9. Mr. Vitaliy Kramarenko, Center Coordinator of our Regional Technical Assistance Center for Southern Africa, International Monetary Fund
10. Mr. Noraizat Shik Ahmad, Deputy General Manager & Head, Product Evaluation, Islamic Capital Market, Securities Commission Malaysia
11. Ms. Aishath Muneeza, Head of the Islamic Capital Market Development Section, Capital Market Development Authority
12. Mr. Nik Joharris Nik Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer, Century Banking Corporation Ltd, Mauritius
13. Dr. Osman Babiker Ahmed Abdalla, Manager, Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development Bank
14. Mr. Lotfi Zairi, Assistant to the CEO, Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit, Saudi Arabia

The IFSB is also organising a Pre Seminar Workshop on Introduction to Islamic Finance and the IFSB Standards on 5 September 2012, prior to the Seminar, which is open to all participants attending the Seminar. The Workshop aims to provide them with a better understanding of Islamic financial services and the IFSB activities.

For more information of the Seminar and to register, please visit http://ifsb.org/islamicfinanceafrica2012/ or contact Ms. Yazmin Aziz at [email protected].