IRELAND - West looks to the East for growth as Islamic finance comes centre stage

www.irishtimes.com - As the Muslim population is expected to rise twice as fast as the non-Muslim population, financial products to service this market could be in line for dramatic growth
WITH WESTERN financial markets still suffering the after-shock of the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the resulting credit crunch and Eurozone sovereign debt crisis, attention is now turning to the Middle East.
While Dubai may have been caught up in the global asset bubble, the region has emerged largely unscathed from the recent crises, paving the way for dramatic growth in Islamic finance. But what is Islamic finance and what does it mean for Irish investors?  (source)

UK - TheCityUk report : Islamic Finance 2012

www.thecityuk.com - Islamic finance assets worldwide continued a long run of growth to reach an estimated USD$1.3 trillion in 2011, 150% up over the previous five years. The UK continues to maintain its position as the leading Western provider of Islamic finance with assets of USD$19bn. The UK also benefited from a globally buoyant sukuk market in 2011, with issuance up 60% to USD$84bn. This was reflected in ten new sukuk listings on the London Stock Exchange’s markets in 2011 and two in early 2012. There are now 37 sukuk with a combined value of USD$20bn listed on the London Stock Exchange’s markets. Additionally, seven exchange traded funds and two exchange traded products are also listed on these markets. - for the report go here