World Islamic Banking Conference 2005 to focus on unlocking market potential through consolidation, innovation and growth

Bahrain's Noriba Bank and Kuwait Finance House are Platinum Partners of the prestigious industry event, which this year is being held under the theme of 'Unlocking Market Opportunities: Consolidation, Innovation and Growth'.

For more than a decade the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) has been at the forefront of developments in the international industry, providing a high-profile platform for industry leaders to engage the key issues, tackle challenges and capitalise on emerging opportunities.

This year's event is supported by the Bahrain Monetary Agency and features a host of new and value-added highlights that sets it apart from all other conferences. These include the Leaders & Winning Strategies Session featuring an international strategy guru; regional leaders and CEOs to address cross-industry perspectives; the WIBC Competitiveness Report in collaboration with McKinsey & Company; the Shari'ah Open Forum with a panel of Shari'ah experts; and Breakout Summits on Retail and Corporate and Investment Banking.

Mohamad Toufic Kanafani, CEO of Noriba Bank said: "Noriba is very pleased to once again support the World Islamic Banking Conference. We believe that this conference provides an important opportunity for Islamic banking participants and interested parties to discuss recent developments in this rapidly growing industry and to exchange ideas regarding the salient issues in Islamic finance today."

Noriba Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Switzerland's UBS Group, is a Shari'ah-compliant private and investment bank dedicated to servicing institutions and high net worth individuals globally. The Bank offers a wide range of investment products and services, including treasury products, fixed income products, equities, alternative investments, real estate and portfolio management.

WIBC Delegates will engage in a stimulating debate on major issues with a distinguished faculty of speakers and panelists including leaders of international and regional institutions through seven interactive conference sessions moderated by Nima Abu-Wardeh, presenter of BBC's Middle East Business Report.

Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat, General Manager, Kuwait Finance House, Bahrain, said: "KFH-Bahrain is proud to sponsor the 12th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference, which will bring together leaders in the Islamic banking and finance industry. This event provides an important forum through which to highlight the significant advancements and progress that continue to characterize our industry as well as focus our attention on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to seek new and innovative ways to meet strong demand for Islamic financial products, services and methods of financing. Islamic banking and finance is fast evolving and KFH-Bahrain is committed to working together with other industry leaders through this forum and others in the promotion and advancement of our industry and of the economies in which we operate."

Kuwait Finance House, Bahrain is a leading provider of Islamic commercial and investment banking services.