Dr. Kharbash to open 2nd Islamic Retail Banking Conference

The event, which is organised by the Islamic Conferences Group and Failaka International Inc, will be attended by prominent personalities in the field of Islamic banking and finance. Dubai Islamic Bank, celebrating 30 glorious years of innovation and growth, has sponsored IRBC II as the Platinum Inaugural Session Sponsor.

Dr. Mohamed Khalfan bin Kharbash, UAE Minister of State for Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubai Islamic Bank, is set to open and host the IRBC II inaugural session.

Professor Rifaat Abdel Karim, Secretary General of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), and Shaikh Saleh Kamil, Chairman of Dallah Al-Baraka group, will also participate in the conference.

Conference director Mohaned Abdullah said: "The first such conference held in Dubai last year achieved its aim for constructive discourse that helped address important issues as well as identify opportunities."

"It is interesting to note that interest in Islamic financial services and retail sector in particular, has not just been from conventional institutions that have a presence in Muslim markets but also from conventional financial institutions operating in markets where there are only a minority or no Muslim presence to speak of," he said.

As Shariah compliant structured financing vehicles and products and services are increasingly offering more depth, particularly at a time conventional markets have been relatively stagnant, lucrative financing opportunities are becoming more and more attractive and accessible. This situation has been heightened by the buoyancy and liquidity in Muslim markets particularly in West Asia. The programme will consist of sessions such as on "The Changing Face of Islamic Retail Banking", regional overviews featuring the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia, United Kingdom (UK), Europe & USA and emerging markets in Islamic finance.