Islamic finance wrap: Which countries are keen on leveraging Islamic banking?
Here's a roundup of key developments across the Islamic finance ecosystem during the month of September
Editor's note: There is a visible demand for Islamic finance and banking. Keep to 'cash in' on the riding wave, non-Muslim majority countries across the world are obliging. Russia has intitiated Islamic banking, while the Bank of Uganda has issued its first Islamic banking licence. Philippines is also taking active strides to promote Islamic banking and financing activities.
Meanwhile, to deliver specialized training programs to enhance the overall Islamic finance space, Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance collaborated with the Islamic Development Bank Institute, signalling a strong global run for the sector.
COMPANY NEWS
Singapore
Islamic Coin announces landmark MoU with CoinDesk Indices
At TOKEN2049 in Singapore, Islamic Coin announced an MoU with CoinDesk Indices (CDI) to explore a strategic partnership focused on developing innovative index strategies.
The partnership aims to tap into growing interest in crypto and inclusive finance. Key highlights include licensing CDI indices for various financial products, creating new Shariah-compliant indices, and providing API access to selected digital assets for HAQQ's internal use. (Zawya)
Bahrain
Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance to provide Islamic finance expertise
The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) and the Islamic Development Bank Institute (IsDBI) have launched a collaborative effort, aimed at delivering specialized training programs geared towards enhancing the global Islamic finance sector.
These programs are designed to cater to a diverse array of professionals, spanning financial institutions, regulatory bodies, supervisory authorities, and legal experts within the Islamic finance industry. (Dev Discourse)
United Kingdom
Islamic Coin partner with CoinDesk Indices to explore Sharia-compliant benchmarks
Islamic Coin has inked a memorandum of understanding with CoinDesk Indices to explore the development of Shariah-compliant cryptocurrency benchmarks tailored for Middle East and North Africa markets.
The collaboration also seeks to secure licensing rights for CoinDesk Indices benchmarks for use in exchange-traded financial products. (Coin Desk)
INVESTMENT
UAE
Alkhair Capital launches $100m Islamic healthcare fund in Dubai
Alkhair Capital Dubai, a provider of Shariah-compliant investment solutions, has introduced the Alkhair Capital Healthcare Sector Fund.
The open-ended liquidity fund will focus on healthcare enterprises leveraging cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance healthcare services.
Alkhair Capital has partnered with Klaim Technologies, a fintech firm specializing in AI-powered insurance claims assessment, to employ proactive investment management strategies for the fund. (Khaleej Times)
UAE
Dubai Islamic Bank acquires minority stake in Turkish conglomerate
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) is set to become a significant minority shareholder in T.O.M. Group of Companies.
This conglomerate includes T.O.M. Katılım Bankası, Turkey's first licensed digital retail bank, T.O.M. Pay Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri, a licensed e-money company, and T.O.M. Finansman, a licensed financing company specializing in innovative digital products. (Zawya)
REGULATORY
Uganda
Bank of Uganda issues first Islamic banking licence
The Bank of Uganda has issued its inaugural Islamic banking license to Salaam Bank Uganda, a subsidiary of a Djibouti-based bank.
The license was presented at the central bank's offices by Deputy Governor Michael Atingi-Ego. This development comes after the Ugandan parliament passed legislation in June to authorize Islamic banking, with President Yoweri Museveni signing it into law in August. (Central Banking)
Russia
Russia introduces Islamic banking
In an effort to explore the viability of the Islamic finance model, President Vladimir Putin has signed a law introducing Islamic banking in four Muslim-majority republics in Russia.
The four regions, which include Chechnya, Dagestan, Tatarstan, and Bashkortostan, launched the Islamic banking system on September 1 as part of a two-year pilot program. (Al Arabiya News)
Pakistan
SECP issues Shariah compliance certificate to fintech fifirm
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued a Shariah compliance certificate to Qist Bazaar (Private) Limited, a licensed non-banking finance company (NBFC), offering buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) services.
The certificate, granted under Shariah Governance Regulations, is based on the principle of Musawamah, incorporating a profit margin in the commodity's sale price. (Business Recorder)
TRADE DEVELOPMENTS
Philippines / Saudi Arabia
Philippine Central Bank promotes Islamic finance, invites Saudi investors
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the Philippines' central bank, has been actively promoting Islamic banking and finance initiatives in the country.
Recently, the monetary board granted its first Islamic banking unit license to a traditional bank, opening opportunities for foreign and private banks to enter the market. This was previously limited to the state-owned Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines. (Arab News)
Azerbaijan
ITFC considers Islamic finance deals uptick in Azerbaijan
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is considering opportunities to expand Islamic finance deals in Azerbaijan.
ITFC's CEO, Hani Salem Sonbol, expressed optimism about introducing Islamic financial tools in collaboration with Rabita Bank and encouraged the transformation of existing banks or the creation of specialized units for Islamic banking in the region. (Trend News Agency)
ESG DEVELOPMENTS
UAE
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank launches electric vehicle finance program
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has introduced its electric vehicle finance program.
The initiative aligns with ADIB's sustainability commitment and the UAE's net-zero economy objectives. The program offers competitive financing with a rate of 1.79%, one of the industry's lowest for new electric vehicles. (Zawya)
Guyana
Islamic Bank keen on supporting Guyana’s development plans
During the first part of his tour of Islamic Development Bank's (IsDB) South American member countries, IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser met with Guyana's President Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to enhancing socioeconomic development cooperation. (Newsroom)
Jordan
Zakat Fund allocates funds to settle debt of 110 women
The board of directors of Jordan's Zakat Fund has approved the allocation of 73,000 Jordanian dinar to settle the outstanding financial debts of 110 gharimat (indebted women) facing financial difficulties.
These women met the criteria for debt settlement, as approved during the meeting chaired by Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Chairman of the Zakat Fund. (Mena FN)
Malaysia
SSM donates medical equipment as Wakalah Zakat contribution to Queen Elizabeth hospital
The Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) has presented a Wakalah Zakat donation in the form of medical equipment worth 181,300 ringgits to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The donated equipment includes a ventilator, chestwall oscillation machine, and Finecare FIA meter.
SSM's CEO, Datuk Nor Azimah Abdul Aziz, highlighted that this donation aims to provide the necessary technical support equipment for the management and rehabilitation of patients. (The Sun Daily)
