Jordan to hold Islamic Finance and Investment Forum in March

The event, which will take place at King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center (KHBTCC) on the shores of the Dead Sea on the 2nd and 3rd of March, is bound to attract the most influential key players in the field of Islamic financing and other parties and individuals concerned with the industry.

Organised by King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center (KHBTCC), Lawrence & Husseini Consult, B-design and Marketing, and Strategy Business Development, the event is in co-ordination with Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, Islamic Development Bank, International Islamic Financial Market, Islamic International Foundation for Economics & Finance, Bahrain Association of Banks and the Central Bank of Jordan. Moreover, the event is sponsored by Jordan Islamic Bank, Jordan Dubai Islamic Bank, Price Waterhouse Coopers and Unicorn Investment Bank. The event comes amid growing interest on the part of Jordan in Islamic financing tools, including the issuance of Sukuk to finance public debt.

Experts note an increasing international trend towards utilizing these Sharia-compliant instruments, even in Western countries and especially in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

According to Mr. Naif Zureikat, General Manager of King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center (KHBTCC), "Islamic finance has long been an important alternative financial system in the global marketplace. The increasing interaction between Western and traditionally Islamic markets has raised a number of issues relating to the present and future use of Islamic Finance."

He added that the two-day forum will examine current trends and critical issues in Islamic finance and investment, and particularly in the Middle East. National and local industry leaders will share their ideas and respond to queries from the audience. Additionally, "Participants will learn how to gain a competitive advantage in a constantly evolving marketplace and sharpen their knowledge of Shariah compliance within Islamic investments and retail banking."

According to the forum's agenda, topics of deliberation include the role, functions and responsibilities of central banks in Islamic banking, Islamic funds & alternative investments, the situation of Islamic finance in the Middle East. Also proposed on the agenda; identifying the driving forces of global Islamic banking, Sukuk, challenges facing Islamic finance and Islamic finance and the global crisis, among others.