Bahrain to host the 5th Annual World Islamic Funds and Capital Markets Conference

Held in strategic partnership with Central Bank of Bahrain under the theme of Islamic Investments: Shifting Gears, WIFCMC 2009 will provide the springboard for new ideas and insights that will catalyse the industry's growth.

The conference is the world's largest gathering of Islamic investment leaders and according to David McLean, Managing Director of Mega, WIFCMC 2009 will be the most crucial meeting in its 5 years of history as more than 400 experts seek to chart a renewed growth path for the Shari'ah-compliant investment markets.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Charles Peal, Chairman of the BLME Umbrella Fund at Bank of London and the Middle East said that, "Recovering from the current financial crisis will require thought leadership and innovation by Islamic investors and fund managers. The 5th Annual World Islamic Funds & Capital Markets Conference in 2009 will be a good place to discuss which changes will really work."

WIFCMC 2009 will feature insightful discussions by international and regional speakers into the real opportunities for Shari'ah-compliant investments. Key messages will focus on ways to
kick-start the Sukuk market, revive growth and manage risk as well as identify asset classes offering most resilience in the current economic climate.

The conference also features the launch of the Ernst & Young Islamic Funds & Investments Report. The 2009 edition of the EY Report is even more eagerly anticipated given the challenging global economic climate. This year's report will provide much needed clarity and insight into the changing market landscape and future growth opportunities for leading players in the Islamic investments industry.

WIFCMC 2009 has attracted the support of the leading players in the global Islamic investments industry. Platinum sponsors include HSBC Amanah, the global Islamic banking division of the HSBC Group; Bahrain Islamic Bank, the first Islamic commercial bank in the Kingdom of Bahrain; and Reef Real Estate Finance, the premier financing house in the kingdom of Bahrain.

A record number of sponsors have partnered with this year's conference. Other leading institutions partnering with WIFCMC 2009 include Bahrain Financial Exchange, Tharawat Investment House, LM Investment Management, Deutsche Bank, ITS, BNP Paribas, Elaf Bank, BLME, Capinnova, DCAP Limited, NCB Capital, Ernst & Young, Dowjones, Khandwala Securities Limited, BMB Islamic, Bahrain Association of Banks, Riyada Consulting, MA Foi, Path Solutions, Ohad Trust, SKOPOS Consulting, Gulf Custody Company, and Standard & Poor's.

More than 400 industry leaders will gather for the 5th Annual World Islamic Funds & Capital Markets Conference 2009 at the Gulf Hotel in Bahrain on the 25th & 26th May to shape the future of the global Islamic investments market.