Ernst & Young to host the World Islamic Finance & Investment Conference 2007 powertable

More than 200 delegates comprising senior decision-makers from the market leaders in the international Islamic finance and investment industry will meet in Kuwait on the 4th and 5th of March 2007 at the World Islamic Finance & Investment Conference in order to explore new market and product growth opportunities, cross-border alliances, and international industry acquisitions.

Driven by expert debate on the key issues, "The Road Ahead - Realising the Potential of New Markets" is the theme of the WIFIC 2007 PowerTable, to be held at the Arraya Ballroom of the Courtyard Marriott, on the 5th of March 2007. Ernst & Young, leader in the auditing and business advisory field, will host this panel of leading international and regional specialists including policy makers, business leaders, and financial experts. The PowerTable is a high-powered debate of the latest developments, challenges, risks and opportunities for the Islamic Finance industry by the assembled panel of industry experts, thought leaders and scholars representing a cross-section of disciplines that tackles the most significant issues raised during the preceding sessions.

The panel will see experts like Sameer Abdi, Executive Manager Islamic Financial Services Group, Ernst & Young, Adnan A. Al-Musallam, Chairman & Managing Director, Investment Dar, Mustafa E. Al-Saleh, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, ADEEM Investment, Dr. Imran Usmani, Shar'ah Advisor, Meezan Bank LTD, Neil D. Miller, Partner, Global Head of Islamic Finance, Norton Rose, and Adil Ahmad, General Manager, Kuwait Real Estate Bank discuss new insights into key issues such as:
The future outlook for Islamic finance and investment institutions
What major challenges need to be overcome?
Globalisation of the industry, new products and the key players

The PowerTable will answer pre-determined and supplementary questions posed by the audience

The WIFIC conference is delighted to have secured the support of the leading players, including Adeem Investment & Investment Dar as Platinum Strategic Partners. The Conference is also delighted to announce Ernst & Young as PowerTable hosts, International Leasing & Investment Company as Leasing Partner, Rasameel Structured Finance Company as the Structured Finance Partner, Kuwait Real Estate Bank as the Innovation Partner, Soukouk Exchange Centre Bank "TADAWUL" as the Gala Dinner Host, Al Dar Asset Management Company, Al Madar Finance Investment, Wared, and International Turnkey Systems as Gold Strategic Partners, European Islamic Investment Bank as Silver Strategic Partner & Lanyard Sponsor, Jersey Finance as Silver Strategic Partner, and Path Solutions as Silver Strategic Partner & Delegate Bag Sponsor.

This prestigious industry event is being held under the theme of CAPITALISING on EMERGING INTERNATIONAL & REGIONAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES:
Capturing new growth markets for Islamic Banking, Investment & Leasing Products.

The Conference proceedings will be in English, with simultaneous translation in Arabic.