The unprecedented contractions experienced by economies due to measures implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to also have implications for the Islamic financial services industry (IFSI). Many Islamic financial institutions have had to make significant adjustments to adapt to the new environment. The growth rate of the financial sector is also likely to be affected because of the significant shock to the economy. It is essential in this circumstances, for institutions offering Islamic financial services (IIFS) to effectively address the financial and operational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensure resilience and support the recovery of the economy. There are also many new opportunities for IIFS in the post-COVID-19 environment, including digitalisation as well as a greater role for Islamic social finance instruments among other things, providing an opportunity to unlock the long-term potential of the IFSI. The forum aims to bring together industry leaders across the globe to discuss the challenges as well as the opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening the resilience of the IFSI and the way forward post-COVID-19. Mr. Ahmed Barakat (tel: +603 9195 1441, email: [email protected]) is the person in charge of the membership affairs at the IFSB, and he would be pleased to respond to any further enquiries.   ***REGISTRATION OPEN FOR MEMBERS ONLY***   Event Snapshots   Programme - Event Session(s) Date Time Topics Day 1 26/08/2020 15:30 - 15:40 Opening Remarks - Dr Bello Lawal Danbatta, Secretary-General of the IFSB Highlights on the IFSB initiatives in response of COVID-19 developments 15:40 - 16:40 Panel Discussion: COVID-19 and Implications for IIFS What has been the economic implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of the IIFS? What are the specific issues and risk exposures of IIFS due to COVID-19? What are the major challenges and risks taht need to be addressed to strengthen the resilience of IIFS? What are the opportunities and way forward for IIFS in the post COVID-19 environment? 16:40 - 17:40 Session 1: Implications on COVID-19 on IIFS 17:40 - 18:00 Session 2: Post COVID-19 Opportunities for IIFS   Downloadable Document(s) Event Session(s) - PDF Format

The unprecedented contractions experienced by economies due to measures implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to also have implications for the Islamic financial services industry (IFSI). Many Islamic financial institutions have had to make significant adjustments to adapt to the new environment. The growth rate of the financial sector is also likely to be affected because of the significant shock to the economy. It is essential in this circumstances, for institutions offering Islamic financial services (IIFS) to effectively address the financial and operational challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ensure resilience and support the recovery of the economy. There are also many new opportunities for IIFS in the post-COVID-19 environment, including digitalisation as well as a greater role for Islamic social finance instruments among other things, providing an opportunity to unlock the long-term potential of the IFSI. The forum aims to bring together industry leaders across the globe to discuss the challenges as well as the opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening the resilience of the IFSI and the way forward post-COVID-19. Mr. Ahmed Barakat (tel: +603 9195 1441, email: [email protected]) is the person in charge of the membership affairs at the IFSB, and he would be pleased to respond to any further enquiries. ***REGISTRATION OPEN FOR MEMBERS ONLY***

Maximising Islamic Finance for Financial Inclusion It is estimated that about 1.7 billion people, accounting for one-third of the world's adult population, have no access to formal financial services and most of them live in developing countries. According to Findex, 72% of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries' population is unbanked, which is considerably higher than the global average. Considering that financial inclusion is necessary to rebuild economies after COVID-19, it is crucial that there is greater access and liquidity support to financial services. Although the industry has experienced substantial growth over the past two decades, there is a new potential to substantially expand access to Islamic financial services through the use of innovative, FinTech-based solutions and even including the Islamic social finance. Against this background, the session of the Sustainable and Inclusive Finance Forum will explore the use of Islamic finance schemes, instruments and regulations to support financial inclusion, thereby contributing to the fight against poverty and fostering shared prosperity including the impacts of Covid-19 to the less developed economies. It will explore policy, regulatory and institutional elements required for the sustainable use of Islamic finance to expand access to financial services. The Webinar will be delivered in collaboration with the World Bank. Click here to register.   Event Snapshots   Programme - Event Session(s) Date Time Topics Day 1 07/10/2020 09:00 - 09:25 Opening Remarks 09:25 - 09:35 Keynote Address and Launching of the World Bank Reports on Islamic Finance: Islamic Finance and Financial Inclusion in Malaysia 09:35 - 11:00 Leveraging Islamic Fintech to Improve Financial Inclusion Islamic finance: A catalyst for Financial Inclusion Maximising Islamic Fintech for Financial Inclusion The Role of Regulators in Strengthening Financial Inclusion 11:25 - 11:30 Q&A Session   Downloadable Document(s) Event Session(s) - PDF Format