More than 200 international participants attend the 1st Annual World Islamic Finance & Investment Conference

Attended by more than 200 international business and government delegates, the conference highlighted the important trends within Islamic and Shari'ah international investment and finance. With Keynote speakers from leading industry players such as Investment Dar, Adeem Investment, Kuwait Real Estate Bank, Ernst & Young, Rasameel Structured Finance, International Leasing & Investment Company, Vinson & Elkins LLP & Norton Rose , the forum for open discussion was set.

Dr. Mohamed N. Alchaar, Secretary-General of the Accounting & Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) commented in his Keynote Address, "There is a need for the development of international framework for standards and regulations, to provide guidance and basis of oversight to the international Islamic banking and finance industry, and enable its expansion."

Highlights of the day included the Shari'ah & Business Open Forum on bringing Global Consistency in Shari'ah interpretations on Islamic finance & investment with the discussion led by Neil D.Miller of Norton Rose and panellists, Shaikh Nizam Yaquby, & Dr. Imran Usmani .The session involved a powerful debate on the complexity & increasing sophistication of new Islamic finance products and assessing the reality of trans-national Shari'ah interpretation.

Challenges & Prospects of Islamic Investment Banking and a focus on the benefits of the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) Finance was the theme of discussion of Ali Abdulaziz Soliman, CEO & General Manager of ICD's presentation.

The first day conference luncheon, hosted by Investment Dar and the Gala Dinner hosted by Sokouk Exchange Centre TADAWUL Bank were also superb opportunities for delegates, exhibitors and media partners to openly discuss topics in a more informal and dynamic atmosphere.

The second day's agenda, culminating in the aptly titled PowerTable, hosted by Ernst & Young and lead by Sameer Abdi, Executive Manager - Islamic Financial Services Group, Ernst & Young, is bound to spark discussions and hopefully lead to some very productive and positive conclusions as how Islamic banks and institutions can best work together using Islamic mechanisms in this rapidly expanding market.

The Conference proceedings were held in English, with simultaneous translation in Arabic. Registration for the conference begins again at 8 am tomorrow. Delegate places are still available for attendees who wish to register onsite at the Arraya Ballroom from 8 am on Monday the 5th of March.