Programme Overview The pandemic has unexceptionally affected all economic and financial sectors globally, including the Islamic financial services sector.  Given the ongoing uncertainty created by the pandemic and the potential risks it poses for economic growth and financial stability, protecting investors against possible market failures, as well as enhancing transparency and information available to investors are essential in regaining investor trust and confidence in the Islamic capital markets, which is in turn, crucial to prevent any deterioration of market conditions. Many market failures directly impact investors, including asymmetry of information, agency problems or detrimental conflicts of interest. They may affect the functioning of the market and contribute to the perception that capital markets are an unsafe environment. Thus, it is imperative for policy makers and regulators to address these issues through regulatory intervention, in order to rebuild investor confidence during volatile market conditions and to effectively address possible market failures that could impact the level of protection of investors. Better protected investors are also likely to make more informed investment decisions and be less prone to react irrationally to market events or follow “herd behavior” which are disruptive for financial markets and the economy as a whole. Thus, transparency and investor protection can be seen as factors that ultimately contribute to the stability of financial markets. The seminars’ main objectives are to:  Address Islamic finance-specific issues in relation to investor protection. Discuss best practices for investor protection in the ICM and the elements of a robust investor protection framework. Highlight best practices and guidelines on disclosure requirements for ICM products, specifically for ṣukūk and Islamic collective investment schemes (ICIS). Identify issues arising from the current global environment, and share policy actions taken by various regulators and policy makers to address emerging challenges and issues.The seminar therefore aims to increase awareness of the importance of investor protection and transparency in fostering investor confidence and ultimately the sustainability and stability of the Islamic capital markets and to provide a platform to discuss critical policy issues arising in the context of the current global financial environment Programme Outcome At the end of the seminar, participants will have a comprehensive understanding on investor protection and disclosure requirements to strengthen investor confidence and improve financial market performance. The seminar will be structured around guidance from IFSB standards, as well as experiences from the industry.  Participants will be able to takeaway insights on the various policy approaches and best practices in different jurisdictions to address new and emerging issues related to investor protection and transparency in light of the new global realities. Programme Approach Interactive discussions on a wide array of issues on investor protection and transparency in the ICM. Discussion on the best market practices and regulatory challenges. Programme - Event Session(s) Date Time Topics Day 1 01/07/2021 12:00 - 12:50 Session 1: Strengthening Investor Protection in the Islamic Capital Markets Overview of the global Islamic capital markets and trends Overview of regulatory issues and the key principles of investor protection; The role of product governance, conduct of business requirements (including client assets, best execution, and conflicts of interest etc.), and good practices in relation to investor redress and investor education, and; Emerging investor protection issues in the Islamic capital markets in the context of the current global environment Presenter:  Aminath Amany Ahmed, Member of the Secretariat, Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) 13:00 - 13:50 Session 2: Enhancing Transparency in the Sukuk Market Overview of key regulatory considerations and specificities of Sukuk Principles of transparency and disclosure for Sukuk practices Role of transparency and disclosure in protecting Sukuk Addressing emerging issues and challenges for Sukuk through better informed investors  Presenter:  Peter Casey, IFSB Consultant  14:00 - 14:50 Session 3: Enhancing Transparency in the Islamic Capital Market (ICIS) Overview of key regulatory considerations and specificities of ICIS Principles of transparency and disclosure for ICIS and regulatory best practices Role of transparency and disclosure in protecting ICIS investors Addressing emerging issues and challenges for ICIS through better informed investors Presenter: Peter Casey, IFSB Consultant 15:00 - 15:50 Q&A - Safeguarding investors in a challenging global environment Implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for the Islamic capital markets Policy actions taken by regulators to mitigate the impact of the pandemic Key investor protection issues arising from the unprecedented economic and financial market conditions and addressing these issues; Promoting investors’ confidence in an uncertain environment through greater market transparency, assessment and information. Q&A on specific considerations and policy issues unique to the Islamic capital market and the way forward. Panelists: Dr. Rifki Ismal, Assistant Secretary-General of the IFSB Peter Casey, IFSB Consultant Mr. Noraizat Shik Ahmad, General Manager, ICM Product Development, Securities Commission Malaysia Mr. Akber Khan Senior Director, Asset Management Group, Al Rayan Investment  

Type: Seminar Target Audience: Senior Management from Regulatory and Supervisory Authorities and Market Players Duration: 4 hours Program Overview: The pandemic has unexceptionally affected all economic and financial sectors globally, including the Islamic financial services sector. Given the ongoing uncertainty created by the pandemic and the potential risks it poses for economic growth and financial stability, protecting investors against possible market failures, as well as enhancing transparency and information available to investors are essential in regaining investor trust and confidence in the Islamic capital markets, which is in turn, crucial to prevent any deterioration of market conditions. Many market failures directly impact investors, including asymmetry of information, agency problems or detrimental conflicts of interest. They may affect the functioning of the market and contribute to the perception that capital markets are an unsafe environment. Thus, it is imperative for policy makers and regulators to address these issues through regulatory intervention, in order to rebuild investor confidence during volatile market conditions and to effectively address possible market failures that could impact the level of protection of investors. Better protected investors are also likely to make more informed investment decisions and be less prone to react irrationally to market events or follow “herd behavior” which are disruptive for financial markets and the economy as a whole. Thus, transparency and investor protection can be seen as factors that ultimately contribute to the stability of financial markets. The seminar therefore aims to increase awareness of the importance of investor protection and transparency in fostering investor confidence and ultimately the sustainability and stability of the Islamic capital markets and to provide a platform to discuss critical policy issues arising in the context of the current global financial environment. Objectives The seminars’ main objectives are to: Address Islamic finance-specific issues in relation to investor protection. Discuss best practices for investor protection in the ICM and the elements of a robust investor protection framework. Highlight best practices and guidelines on disclosure requirements for ICM products, specifically for ṣukūk and Islamic collective investment schemes (ICIS). Identify issues arising from the current global environment, and share policy actions taken by various regulators and policy makers to address emerging challenges and issues. Programme Outcome At the end of the seminar, participants will have a comprehensive understanding on investor protection and disclosure requirements to strengthen investor confidence and improve financial market performance. The seminar will be structured around guidance from IFSB standards, as well as experiences from the industry. Participants will be able to takeaway insights on the various policy approaches and best practices in different jurisdictions to address new and emerging issues related to investor protection and transparency in light of the new global realities. Programme Approach Discussion on the best market practices and regulatory challenges Interactive discussions on a wide array of issues on investor protection and transparency in the ICM Event Snapshots:

COVID-19 has shifted the dynamics in the global Islamic financial services industry (IFSI). The necessary public health measures have created the need for businesses to change their course of action and overall outlook for the future. Beyond the immediate economic implications, COVID-19 is creating new opportunities by forcing the IFSI to adapt to rapidly evolving market conditions and speeding up the pace of emerging trends in socially responsible investing, sustainability, and digitalization to mitigate the impact of the outbreak. The Covid-19 outbreak has led to growth in the IFSI in some areas by accelerating trends such as socially responsible investing and a stronger focus on social sustainability. The impact of Covid-19 presented a window of opportunity for the Islamic capital market sector, particularly regarding the issuance of sovereign sukuk as a part of the government’s strategy to diversify its funding for financing fiscal deficit and to meet the fiscal requirements for combating Covid-19. In the business sectors, some IFSI have started to convert their ongoing business models into a more digital and virtual based businesses. Digital payment, monitoring, recording, reporting and even the Islamic financial institution and instrument themselves have become fully digital (virtual) which are now commonly called as digital banking, e-Sukuk, etc. in line with the issue of digital currency. Objectives: To discuss the recovery initiatives within the Global Islamic Financial Services Industry To discuss the limitation for IFSI and identify specific risk factors that might arise in relation to specificities of Islamic Finance To provide a better understanding on the challenges faced by the industry, particularly related to Cybersecurity Risk due to accelerated digitalisation and liquidity risk management. Register Now   Event Snapshots: