Forum to examine future of interest free finance

The organizers plan to hold the two day event in Dubai between October 1st and 2nd 2002. Their aim is to create a unique event that will bring to the region for the first time western experts on interest free finance, to share ideas, current trends and analysis on the important topic of 'the future of interest free finance' and its impact on finance and investment. Some of the VIP's invited to present at 'The 1st International Forum on Interest Free Finance' will include the world's top-tier experts in the field of interest free finance, investment and alternative currencies such as:

• PROFESSOR BERNARD LIETAER - Designer of the Euro.

• MONJIA SONNIUS - Former Chairperson of JAK Bank of Scandinavia.

• JOHN TOMLINSON - Canadian Banker and author of Honest Money.

• BRIAN GOULD - Former Deputy Leader of the British Labour Party.

• PROF. K.C. PALMERTON - Vice Chair of the Christian Council for Monetary Justice.

• JAMES GIBB STUART - Author of the Money Bomb,

• DONALD MARTIN - Former Economic Chair of the UK Federation of Small Businesses. Chairman of The Forum For Stable Currencies.

• SANDRA BRUCE - Co-Founder of the European Local Exchange Trading System Scheme.

• PROF. MARGRIT KENNEDY - Architect and Alternative currency specialist, Dortmund University, Germany.

• LORD CAITHNESS - Member of the House of Lords and the Forum for Stable Currencies.

• RICHARD DOUTHWAIT - Author and Founder of Ireland's first interest free bank linked to the JAK organisation

• PAUL RUPERT DeBEER. Monetary and Ethical Investment Specialist.

Chairing the sessions will be David M. Pidcock, Co-Founder and Director of the Institute For Rational Economics, Editor of The Other Road To Serfdom - A History of the Abuse of Money, Member of The Forum For Stable Currencies, Co-Founder of The UK National Association For Victims of Fraud & Banking Malpractice.

"This event brings together for the first time, western economists, monetary reformers, Islamic bankers, business intellectuals, corporate executives and finance specialists. The Forum provides an ideal platform for the global interest-free-finance and investment community to present its practices and services to the region, where interested bankers and investors can acquire an insight into the diverse products and services that exist and are evolving," noted Hesham Sheikh Amin, General Manager of Trend Capital Consulting.

"The Forum, therefore, presents an exceptional opportunity for business networking and enables participants to maintain liaison, and exchange information and expertise on current and future trends in interest free finance around the globe," added Amin.

The Forum's keynote speakers and compelling panels will have a practical approach to analyze and discuss at length the following key topics:

• INTEREST-FREE MODES OF FINANCING.

• INTEREST-FREE COMMERCIAL BANKING AND INSURANCE.

• INTEREST-FREE PROJECT AND CORPORATE FINANCE - including papers on trade finance, property finance, specialist finance and leasing services.

• INTEREST-FREE CAPITAL MARKETS - including papers on Islamic equity & debt securities, funds, derivatives, and structured instruments.

• INTEREST-FREE ASSET MANAGEMENT.

• INTEREST-FREE PRIVATE EQUITY AND VENTURE CAPITAL - including papers on entrepreneurship, early-stage financing and small business support.

• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND THE ISLAMIC FINANCIAL MARKET.

• MARKET TRENDS, FUTURE DIRECTIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS.

• ALTERNATIVE CURRENCIES

These panels will offer papers and interactive sessions that assess the key issues involved in simplifying the underlying interest free concepts and identifying the genuine interest free/ Islamic financial vehicles. In addition, most panels would be covering the following aspects:

Interest free developments in theory and practice, challenges and opportunities, available tools and products (basic & advanced), case studies & special corporate or project presentations, and Q&A sessions.

With thought-provoking themes and intellectual discourse, flavored with spirituality, this two-day event of highly practical interactive discussions promises to be a unique event the entire business community can greatly enjoy and benefit from.

ENDS