Excellence Awards to be presented at the World Islamic Funds & Capital Markets Conference

The Awards are presented in association with the Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) and Ernst & Young.

The second annual World Islamic Funds and Capital Markets Conference that is taking place in Bahrain on 7 & 8 May 2006 will be inaugurated by HE Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, the Governor of the Bahrain Monetary Agency at the Gulf International Convention Centre. The inaugural session of the conference will discuss the key regulatory challenges facing the industry today.

HE Rasheed M. Al-Maraj, Governor, Bahrain Monetary Agency said "The World Islamic Funds & Capital markets conference will offer asset managers the opportunity to share views with the investment community from across the globe. I particularly look forward to the debate during the opening session titled "The Regulatory & Business Open Forum" that will discuss effective regulatory frameworks for the development of Islamic Capital Markets."

The conference will discuss a number of interesting topics such as the Growth of the sovereign and corporate Sukuk market, Global trends and new developments in Islamic funds, Distribution issues related to funds, Growth opportunities in key Islamic fund sectors, Challenges facing Islamic Funds and Global perspectives and regional opportunities in Islamic Capital Markets.

The Excellence Awards will be presented to two institutions rather than individuals and include the World Islamic Funds Excellence Award and The World Islamic Capital Markets Excellence Award.

Another highlight of the conference is the World Islamic Funds and Capital Markets Exhibition, which will showcase leading Islamic financial institutions, conventional banks, consulting & advisory firms, IT solution providers and international media.

WIFC 2006 exhibitors include the Bahrain Monetary Agency, Al Baraka Banking Group, Al-Tawfeek Company for Investment Funds Ltd., Al-Amin Bank, Al Baraka Islamic Bank, ABC Islamic Bank, AIB Islamic Asset Management, Adeem Investment Company, Infrasoft Tech, Sokouk Exchange Centre Co. (Tadawul), HSBC Amanah, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Al Tamimi & Company, Path Solutions, Zawya, Financial Technologies, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Ohad Trusts, National Investments Company, The Banker, Eurekahedge, Forbes, Bloomberg, IFIS and Khaleej Times.