IRELAND - Gilmore speaks of aim to develop Ireland's involvement in Islamic finance

www.businessandleadership.com - Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore addressed a seminar this morning on the Government’s aim to make Ireland a European hub for Islamic finance.

“Internationally Islamic finance, or Sharia compliant finance, has demonstrated impressive growth rates - annual growth rates have been estimated at 15 -20pc,” he said. “The global Islamic finance industry is currently valued at approximately US$1.3trn.
“We see potential for significant growth in this area and it forms an important part of our strategy for international financial services in Ireland,” he said. “We are determined to ensure that the IFSC will develop as a centre of excellence for Islamic finance and are engaging with key stakeholders to move towards achieving this goal.”  (source)

IRELAND - Islamic Finance Development a "Priority" for Ireland

www.worldirish.com - Developing Ireland’s involvement in Islamic finance is a priority for the Irish Government, according to Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore.
The minister was speaking at the International Fiscal Association Ireland Seminar this morning and outlined his vision for Ireland as a European hub for Islamic finance saying that it is a “good fit” for the country.
Islamic or Sharia law forbids the payment of interest on loans or overdrafts. It also prevents investments in certain sectors such as gambling and adult entertainment. (source)

UK - EVENTS - PUBLICATIONS - K&L Gates Seminar Islamic Finance: Recent Issues and Career Opportunities

The Arab Spring of 2011, the Goldman Sachs $2bn Islamic bond, the Islamic Interbank Benchmark Rate - just three recent topics that have reignited interest in Islamic Finance.
This programme addressed recent issues in Islamic Finance and potential career opportunities in the industry.
Specific topics covered included:

• What happens when Islamic Finance transactions go wrong? The use of arbitration to resolve disputes.
• The impact of the Arab Spring of 2011 on the growth of Islamic Finance.
• The convergence of Islamic, Christian, Jewish and Socially Responsible Investment principles.
• The role of private equity and leasing in Islamic investing.
• The Islamic Interbank Benchmark Rate.
• Career opportunities in Islamic Finance.
• The global impact of Islamic Finance in Europe, the Middle East and the US.

Speakers included:

• Dr Humayon Dar - Chairman, President & CEO - Edbiz Consulting
• Jonathan Lawrence - Islamic Finance Partner - K&L Gates, London
• Mohammed Amin - Islamic Finance Consultant - Conservative Muslim Forum
• Kathleen Bradley - Counsel - K&L Gates, Doha
• Omar Shaikh - Partner - RHT Partners
• Julie Chandler - Associate - K&L Gates, Dallas
• Sanford Henry - Director - Asset Solutions
• Thomas Ross - Litigation Partner - K&L Gates, London
• Daniel-Christian Moerler - Executive Director - LGT Capital Partners
• Peter Morton - Arbitration Partner - K&L Gates, London
• Hussain Khan - Disputes Resolution Associate - K&L Gates, London

Download the presentation materials, by topic, below:

• Islamic Finance Issues in the UK, Qatar and the US - Jonathan Lawrence, Kathleen Bradley, Julie Chandler, K&L Gates
• Does Islamic Finance Need You? - Mohammed Amin, Islamic Finance consultant
• Careers in Islamic and Sharia Finance - Mahesh Jayanarayan, Umex Securities
• What Happens When Islamic Finance Transactions Go Wrong? The Use of Arbitration to Resolve Disputes - Peter Morton, Tom Ross, Hussain Khan, K&L Gates 
• Islamic Investing and Leasing - Sanford Henry , Edmond de Rothschild Limited

Download the full day's presentation please click here (2 MB)

FRANCE - EVENTS - Seminar Paris Feb 6, 2012

 The 3rd annual seminar of COFFIS

February 6 , 2012

Paris

The 3rd annual seminar of the French Council of Islamic Finance will be held February, the 6^th , 2012 in Paris. The subject that will be treated in the seminar

"The success stories of Islamic finance in the world: What can we learn for a real start in France?".

(more info hereunder - or website cofis)

SPAIN - FINANCE - Dubai's DIFC hosts seminar to strengthen economic and financial cooperation between UAE and Spain

Business Intelligence Middle East - UAE.  The Dubai International Financial Centre ("DIFC”), the financial and business hub connecting the region’s emerging markets with the developed markets of Europe, Asia and the Americas, today hosted “UAE and Spain: Economic and Financial Cooperation”, an investment conference held in association with the Madrid Centro Financiero (“MCF”). (source)

EUROPE - Dubai Exports Islamic Finance to Europe

While the conventional financial system is recovering from the fallout of the international financial crisis Islamic finance on the other hand is growing rapidly. Statistics show that global Islamic banking assets have grown approximately 10% per annum from the mid 1990s when they were about US$150 billion. 

 

Today, global Islamic financial assets stand at approximately US800 billion. Industry experts claim that over the next decade the sector may reach US$4 trillion. The growth of Islamic Financial Services has been driven by a growing Islamic population that is enjoying a rapid rise in purchasing power, due to better education and employment opportunities. This has been supported by financial engineering and innovation in the provision of Islamic financial products and services. (source)

LUXEMBOURG - EVENTS - Seminar "Global Product and Capital Market Trends in Islamic Finance" - Jan 20, 2011

The Luxembourg School of Finance is pleased to announce a half-day Seminar in Islamic Finance entitled:

Global Product and Capital Market Trends in Islamic Finance

To be held on January 20th, 2011 from 10:30am to 3:30pm at the Chambre of Commerce, 7 Rue Alcide de Gasperi, Luxembourg - Kirchberg.

GERMANY - Islamic finance Germany - factsheet

Source : http://vae.ahk.de/uploads/media/Islamic_Finance_in_Germany_Factsheet.pdf


2011 Islamic Finance in Germany Factsheet

GERMANY - UAE - Events - Seminar - Islamic Finance in Germany (Jan 25, 2011 - Dubai)

Dubai Exports, an agency of the Dubai Department of Economic Development, in partnership with the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry & Commerce (AHK) are organizing a workshop on “Islamic Finance Opportunities in Germany”.

The Event is part of the Government of Dubai’s efforts to promote exports of banking and financial services from the UAE, an area where the country has strong expertise and is acknowledged as an industry leader

Workshop on “Islamic Finance Opportunities in Germany”

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

The Ritz Carlton, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai

UK - EVENTS - London Seminar "Structuring Islamic Investment Funds" (Jan 20, 2011)

2011 edbiz jan

MALTA - EVENTS - EGYPT - Seminar on Islamic Finance in Malta

“Malta can become the Bahrain in the Mediterranean by attracting Islamic Finance to its shores.” This statement was made by Mr. Reuben Buttigieg, Managing Director of Erremme Business Advisors and Chairperson of the Malta Institute of Management Training and Education Division, during a half-day seminar on Islamic Finance in Malta, organised on Wednesday 8^th December 2010 by the Embassy of Malta in Cairo in collaboration with Erremme Business Advisors.

UK - Events - Euromoney 10th Anniversary Islamic Finance Summit

Date : 21-23 February 2011
Place : The Landmark - London (U.K.)
Website : here.