UK - FINANCE - Solum Asset Management eyes UK student accommodation

cpifinancial.net - Launched at the World Islamic Banking Conference, Solum Asset Management has unveiled plans for a Sukuk that will invest in income-producing student accommodation in the UK

Safdar Alam, Chief Executive Officer, Solum Asset Management

The firm plans to issue its UK Student Accommodation Sukuk in Q1 2012. Solum says it has identified and shall acquire existing income-producing assets. Value for money and rental affordability will be key tenets of the investment strategy, the firm said.

The UK student accommodation sector has performed well despite the downturn in the wider UK economy, commercial and residential property sectors. Structurally, there remains a long term shortage of purpose built housing for students in many cities and this, coupled with the low delivery of new private housing stock, has resulted in continued positive rental growth in many university towns and cities in the UK. (source)

UK - FRANCE - LUXEMBOURG - EVENTS - WIBC Bahrain : Top financial groups to attend Bahrain summit

tradearabia.com - Financial organisations from Bermuda and Luxembourg will be making their first appearance at this year's World Islamic Banking Conference.
And there will be a return of representation from Singapore as well as a strong turnout from Malaysia.
"This year's event will be at least as strong as last year's with forums being hosted by both the UK and, for the first time, France, reflecting the growing importance of Islamic finance in Europe," said event organiser David McLean.  (source)

UK - EVENTS - WIBC Bahrain : UK 'to remain leading centre'

MANAMA: The UK and London will remain the world's leading international and Islamic financial centre.

That was the message from British Ambassador Iain Lindsay at a UK roundtable discussion at the WIBC yesterday.  (source)

FRANCE - EVENTS - French Islamic finance in focus at key forum

MANAMA: The 18th annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC 2011) will feature a key session on "Islamic Finance New Developments in France - Growth and Opportunities". The forum will be held from November 21 to 23 at the Gulf Hotel.

The session, hosted by Invest in France Agency, will feature critical discussions on the development of Islamic finance in France. It will also analyse and evaluate the tax and legal framework in France and will also assess real case feedback for structuring Islamic ethical compliant equities and funds.  (source)

UK - UK leading the world in Islamic Finance

Manama, Bahrain: Following the success of the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) in Bahrain, the UK has been praised as the leading Western centre for Islamic finance and one of the world's most attractive destinations for Islamic banks.

The conference, supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), included an expert panel from the UK, which led debates on the future of the sector, both in the UK and around the world.

This panel included three members of the UK Islamic Finance Secretariat, as well as representatives of leading advisory firms.

UK - Islamic IFA calls for overhaul of UK banks

The UK banking system needs a "paradigm shift" to tackle unhelpful regulations and vested interests, an Islamic financial adviser has claimed.

Tarek El Diwany, adviser for London-based Zest Advisory LLP, said getting Islamic finance to become more mainstream needs a significant change to take place in the industry.

UK - Sukuk is top of agenda for UK trade body

An Islamic trade body has been set up in the UK to promote Islamic finance and to campaign for a sterling-based Sharia bond. 

AdvId: 2775490 AdId: 232088203 CrId: 39132990

The UK Islamic Finance Secretariat was showcased at the World Islamic Banking Conference in Bahrain, where 1200 delegates from 50 countries attended the three-day event to learn about the strengths and challenges facing the industry.