Kuala Lumpur: With the total Sukuk industry size reaching over $134 billion in 2012 from $5 billion in 2003, experts in the upcoming WEIF 2014 will spearhead a discussion how to develop a sound regulatory framework for Sukuks and spread Sukuk offerings in the global financial market.
The 10th World Islamic Economic Forum (WEIF) 2014 in Dubai will witness the presence of a number of Global leaders, business leaders and high-profile speakers will take centre stage to showcase the potential of Islamic economy in addressing some of the most critical economic and business related issues facing the world today.
Expected to be attended by more than 2,500 participants, the WIEF will run from October 28 to 30, 2014, at the Madinat Jumeirah.
“The 10th World Islamic Economic Forum in Dubai will feature three days of thought-provoking discussions and plenary sessions led by some of the top luminaries from the global economic arena. Participants in the Forum will have a unique opportunity to listen to expert speakers from a wide range of sectors, who will be involved in high level exchange of ideas while sharing their first-hand experiences with international colleagues on the changing dynamics in global business today,” the honourable Tun Musa Hitam, Chairman of the WIEF Foundation, said.
Prominent in the list of confirmed speakers is Tan Sri DrZetiAkhtar Aziz, Governor of Central Bank of Malaysia, who will address a Dialogue Session “Sukuk Development and Financial Stability”, particularly in the context of the expanding Sukuk market. Other speakers for this session include; Massoud Ahmed, Director, Middle East and Central Asia Department, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Mahmoud Mohieddin, Corporate Secretary and President’s Special Envoy on Millennium Development Goals, World Bank and a Senior Representative from Islamic Development Bank (IDB).
Ranjit Ajit Singh, Executive Chairman of Securities Commission Malaysia, will be feature in a panel discussion on ‘Global Economic Outlook: Developing a Resilient Model for Developing Economies’. The panel discussion will explore if there is an alternative model for developing economies considering that the present economic order is showing signs of weakening. Discussions will be based on the fact that while poor countries are stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty, developing nations are not able to grow without sacrificing economic sovereignty.
Youngsoo Kim, President, Samsung Gulf Electronics, South Korea, and Raghu Malhotra, Division President, Mastercard, Middle East and North Africa, will be among the prominent speakers in a panel discussion on managing global risks in business. Discussions will highlight how business leaders are overcoming new challenges to turn around their businesses quickly, retaining the financial bottom line while sustaining a healthy business trajectory.
Dr Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University, UAE, will be among the panelists in a discussion on ‘Socialising Education and the Role of Universities’ while Datuk Shahril Ridza Ridzuan, Chief Executive Officer, Employees Provident Fund, Malaysia, and Thomas Polson, CEO and Co-Founder of Falah Capital, USA, figure in a panel discussion on ‘Mobilising Capital from Waqf, Pension Funds and Unit Trusts’.
Tomás Guerrero Blanco, Researcher at ESADEgeo, Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics ESADE Business School, Spain, will be a speaker in a session on ‘Streamlining the Halal Supply Chain’.
Sharifah S.Hamzah, Senior Associate of Bennett Jones (Middle East), Qatar, and DrShaikha Al Maskari, Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding, UAE, will be among those highlighting the importance of developing a peer network among women entrepreneurs.
Other prominent speakers at the Forum include Tan Sri Dato’ Azman Mokhtar, Managing Director, Khazanah Nasional Berhad, Muzaffar Hisham, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Islamic, Malaysia; Roger Bootle, Managing Director, Capital Economics, United Kingdom; Toby O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer, The Islamic Bank of Asia, Singapore; Dr Adnan Chilwan, Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Islamic Bank, UAE; and Tirad Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, UAE.
The 10th World Islamic Economic Forum is being organised by the WIEF Foundation in collaboration with Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as part of its efforts to support the vision of the emirate to become the global capital of Islamic economy. The Forum is the largest international gathering of heads of government, economic experts and stakeholders to share experiences and knowledge about Islamic economy since its launch in 2004.