IslamicFinance.de

Abdulaziz AlSaghyir Holding has launched a center specialized in social responsibility. The aim of Namaa Center for Social Responsibility (NCSR) is to support social services, innovate communal programs and promoting scientific studies and research of this area. Moreover, the center seeks to build strategic partnerships with different partners to support the center'sactivities in the future. The NCSR also represents the strategic arm of Abdulaziz AlSaghyir Holding in planning,development and implementing communal programs. NCSR's long-term strategies and plans include the educational, social and training fields. The planning of a specialized program of leadership for university students from both genders has already been completed through strategic central relationships with the high education and universities. The program is based on thinking, experiment and building to advance the personality and behavior.

BIMB Holdings Bhd is likely to conclude the purchase of the 18.5% stake held by Lembaga Tabung Haji (LTH) in Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd by the end of the month. BIMB owns 51% of Bank Islam, while the remaining 30.5% stake is held by Dubai Financial Group (DFG). LTH, meanwhile, is the ultimate holding company of both BIMB and Bank Islam. Apart from its direct interest in Bank Islam, the pilgrim fund also owns a 51.5% stake in BIMB. There were reportedly no problems in the talks between BIMB and LTH, with pricing done at arm’s length on market benchmarks and in the best interest of the shareholders. The two block of shares are likely to be valued between 1.6 times and 1.8 times price-to-book value. If both talks with DFG and LTH were successful, then BIMB would fully own Bank Islam. An announcement on both stake sales is expectyed to be made by end-July.

Bank Islam Malaysia is exploring opportunities to expand its business in South-East Asia, especially in Indonesia. However, the bank has not identified suitable joint-venture partners to penetrate foreign market, according to its managing director, Datuk Zukri Samat. Bank Islam was earlier reported to have held talks with an Islamic bank in Indonesia to acquire up to 40% stake in the latter. Meanwhile, Zukri said, the bank aimed to expand its operations by opening five branches nationwide by year-end. Bank Islam recently closed a deal regarding a business zakat of RM320,000 to Majlis Agama Islam Johor. Zukri said the zakat payment represented part of the total RM9.2mil for financial year 2012, based on its profit of RM600mil the previous year.

Saudi lender Bank AlJazira has reported a 29% jump in its net income for the second quarter to SR167m, compared with SR129m for the same quarter last year. Net profit during the first six months of 2013 grew 15% to SR312m from SR272m for the same period last year. The bank's total assets as of June 30, 2013 stood at SR56.22bn against SR47.12bn for the same period in the previous year, an increase of 19%.

Nakheel made a net profit of AED1.2 billion (US$327 million) in H1 2013, a 57% increase on a net profit of AED767 million reported for H1 2012. Revenues for H1 2013 stood at AED4.23 billion, up 36% on revenues of AED3.1 billion noted in H1 2012. The results for H1 2013 reflect the on-going support of the Government of Dubai and the commitment by Nakheel to delivering the post restructuring plan. They also demonstrate the continuing growth and strengthening of the real estate market in Dubai, and the return of investor confidence and trust in Nakheel and its projects. Besides several Nakheel projects under development, the company is evaluating a number of additional projects. Moreover, Nakheel focuses on meeting its restructuring commitments to its stakeholders by making interest payments to bank lenders and profit payments to its sukuk holders.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) has closed a AED 1.32 billion (US$360 million) Syndicated Islamic Facility for Abu Dhabi-based Gulf Marine Services (GMS). ADIB acted as the Mandated Lead Arranger, Sole Underwriter, Sole Bookrunner, Investment and Security Agent for the facility. The deal was tailored by ADIB to meet GMS’ specific financing needs, including re-financing existing facilities and providing finance for the acquisition of 2 additional vessels. The financing will also help GMS achieve its plan to further improve and expand its fleet. The facility was very well received, as evidenced by the strong demand from local and regional banks which resulted in it being 2 times oversubscribed by 10 local and regional banks. White & Case acted as the legal counsel to the financiers, while Gibson Dunn acted on behalf of GMS.

A report issued by KFH-Research states that the global sukuk market has shown resilience this year given the volatility in global bond markets as market players react to positive economic growth prospects as well as concerns over monetary policy in the US. The report mentions that sukuk issuances have kept up momentum with over US$26.6 billion placed during the second quarter, which adds to the US$34.5 billion placed during the 1Q13 to bring the first half total to US$61.2 billion. On a monthly basis, the primary sukuk market in 2013 has outpaced the previous year every month since January 2013 except June 2013. Furthermore, the report adds that the HSBC/Nasdaq SKBI Yield Index shows that overall sukuk yields have risen sharply in 2Q13, with an increase of 43.0% to the highest level in over 25 months.

The Deloitte Islamic Finance Knowledge Center (IFKC) in the Middle East has signed an MOU of a collaborative training initiative with the Islamic Research & Training Institute (IRTI). This collaboration aims to develop industry-based training programs for the industry of Islamic Finance and Takaful in order to streamline professional education and capacity building. Four key objectives are identified to provide 'Continued Professional Development' and Executive Education programs for the Islamic Finance and Takaful industry stakeholders. First, the collaborative approach amongst industry stakeholders will be strengthened. Moreover, high quality practitioner training and support to industry stakeholders will be provided. Another goal is to assist clients, developing talent management strategies and competency-based training approach in Islamic finance practice. The forth aim is to set the standards of professional excellence and good practices of leadership development in Islamic finance.

A report issued by KFH-Research states that the global sukuk market has shown resilience this year given the volatility in global bond markets as market players react to positive economic growth prospects as well as concerns over monetary policy in the US. The report mentions that despite rising yields across the board, sukuk issuances have kept up momentum. On a monthly basis, the primary sukuk market in 2013 has outpaced the previous year every month since January 2013 except June 2013. Moreover, the report states that Malaysia held the largest market share of the primary market in 1H13 primarily due to the central bank issuances. The secondary sukuk market in Malaysia remained the largest, followed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. Growth in the secondary market over the first half of the year was driven by Turkey. The prospects for the sukuk market are expected to remain bright.

Malaysia's new Islamic Financial Services Act (IFSA) gives regulators greater oversight as the country seeks to retain its position as the world's second-largest Islamic Banking market. The new rules will boost protection for depositors by making religious advisers legally accountable for financial products, and liable to steep fines and prison time for wrongdoing. The new rules also include a plan to require Islamic life insurers to separate the life arm from other parts of their business. The regulations also could spur takeovers in the Islamic insurance sector through capital-base provisions that encourage larger participants. The IFSA also gives Malaysia's finance ministry more powers to further scrutinise financial holding companies and non-regulated entities if they pose a risk to financial stability.

Saudi-based construction firm Binladin Group has completed a 1-billion-riyal ($266.7 million) Islamic bond sale. The transaction, structured as a sukuk al-murabaha, has a one-year lifespan and pays a profit rate of 2.5 percent. The Islamic bond was sold to a wide range of investor types including financial institutions, asset managers and insurance funds among others. Sources said last month that BNP Paribas and the investment banking arm of Gulf International Bank were marketing a deal for Binladin Group to Saudi investors, with proceeds to be used to fund its projects. The sukuk sale is the fourth carrying a 364-day tenor. Binladin Group has already completed one, longer-dated local currency sukuk in 2013. It priced the 1.3-billion-riyal Islamic bond with a 2.5-year lifespan, arranged by the investment banking arm of Banque Saudi Fransi , in April.

Exeter-headquartered crowdfunding website Crowdcube is to launch in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region after forming a joint venture. Crowdcube MENA is led by a group of experienced bankers, entrepreneurs and asset managers with experience in US/Canada, Europe and the Middle East. Crowdcube MENA believes the region presents unique challenges. However, given the success of Crowdcube, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (previously FSA) in the UK, it is considered possible to leverage this experience of working under a Tier 1 global regulator to implement a successful business model to service the MENA región. According to Omar Rana, co-founder of Crowdcube MENA, various regions are currently examined to assess the best way of leveraging Crowdcube's platform to provide crowdfunding in the MENA region.

Saudi-based Al Rajhi Bank posted a slight rise in its second-quarter net profit. The bank made 2.12 billion riyals ($565.3 million) in the three months to June 30, compared with 2.09 billion riyals in the same period a year earlier. Profit for the opening six months of the year was 4.17 billion riyals, up from 4.10 billion riyals in the corresponding period of 2012. The results are in line with analysts' forecasts that expected the bank, on average, to post a net profit of 2.13 billion riyals for the second quarter.

The Gulf Finance House of Bahrain said that it is hoping to receive more active investments to salvage the investment firm's falling figures. A new business model was proposed which consists of new strategy calls such as better involvement with the investments that the firm creates, and better decision making on projects which are in development. Previously, the GFC passed such projects to third party developers without considering to halt their completion. The firm's acting chief executive Hisham Al Rayes said that they were now looking at fundamentals and more calculated risks. Instead of using sub-developers the company is now going vertical in the development of its projects.

The ebullient GFH Capital general counsel David Haigh speaks to Alex Newman about buying Leeds United, his unorthodox legal career and lofty political ambitions. When David Haigh recounts his first meeting with Ken Bates the anecdote reveals as much about himself as it does about the famously combative ex-chairman of Leeds United Football Club.

Takaful Ikhlas allocates close to RM200,000 to carry out its corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes for the whole month of Ramadan. On July 11, the company contributed RM16,000 to the Al-Ikhlas Home of Elderly Care and Treatment in Puchong, Selangor through its Ramadan programme. Besides this contribution, other daily necessities are also provided including medicine, clothing, food as well as other needs to manage the home.Earlier, 66 residents of the home received free health examinations before attending a special religious class by the company's employees besides a get-together session and iftar dinner. Various activities have been planned during Ramadan such as the exclusive cooperation 'Titipan Kasih Harian Metro' at Olak Lempit, 'Bubur Lambuk' programme, 'Salam Sahur', 'Kasih Syawal', health examination for chronic patients and 'Jom Beli Baju Raya', which will be held nationwide.

Baittul Maal wa Tamwil (BMT) Microfinance system which is being working in Indonesia should be introduced all-around the globe as the best system to eliminate poverty, Chief Executive Officer of Al-Huda Center of Islamic Banking and Economics Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal said. He was speaking at the International conference for “ Empowering SMEs for Financial Inclusion and Growth” held in Indonesia. During his address Mr. Zubair Mughal said, BMT has played an important role for the alleviation of poverty in Indonesia but unfortunately, these methods are being limited to Indonesia only. He stated that new Islamic Microfinance methods of BMT should be available along with Murabaha, Salam, Mudarabah, Qarz-e-Hasna and Waqf to Islamic Microfinance Institutes globally. He further added that Islamic Microfinance is very important along with branchless banking, product innovation and financial literacy in order to achieve financial inclusion for the Muslim population. The Global Islamic Microfinance Forum is going to be held on October 16, 2013 in Dubai, to compile the strategy to strengthen the Islamic Microfinance industry, he ended.

An Ordinary Shareholder Assembly of Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) was held on Sunday 7th July 2013 with the objective of electing a new Board. The result was the election of four new members to the Board in addition to the five members who are appointed. The following four members are the ones who were successful in the elections: Talal Ali Abdulla Al-Zain, Khalil Ebrahim Nooruddin Nooruddin, Ebrahim Hussein Ebrahim Abdul-Rahman, Othman I. N. Al-Askar. Accordingly, the Board of Directors constitution now is complete with a total number of nine as follows: Mr. Abdul Razak Abdulla Hassan Al Qassim (Chairman), Brig. Khalid Mohammed Al Mannai (Vice Chairman), Mr. Talal Ali Abdulla Al Zain, Mr. Khalil Ebrahim Nooruddin, Mr. Mohammed Al Zarrouq Rajab, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Abdulla Ali, Mrs. Fatima Abdulla Budhaish, Mr. Ebrahim Hussain Ebrahim Abdul Rahman, Mr. Osman Ebrahim Naser Al Askar.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) of the Islamic Development Bank agreed to cooperate in the Arab States region on fighting poverty and creating jobs. The newly-signed Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States will spearhead trade reforms in Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa with the aim of bringing about pro-poor economic growth. The Aid for Trade Initiative for Arab States was endorsed by the 3rd Arab Economic and Social Development Summit, held in January. It is funded by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation as well as the Governments of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Sweden and UNDP. The initiative will also be undertaken in technical cooperation with the League of Arab States.

PwC has published its new report titled ‘Resetting the Compass: Navigating success in deal-making for mature market sellers and high growth market buyers’. Companies in high-growth markets (HGM) invested US$161 billion into mature market companies between 2008 and 2012, outstripping their combined investment of US$151 billion in the opposite direction, according to the report. In 2013, the volume of outbound deals from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to mature markets ranked higher than the average reported over the last five years. The UK and Europe continue to hold strong appeal for GCC buyers, accounting for the majority of mature market deals from the GCC. The GCC region’s sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and state-owned enterprises continue to drive much of the outbound deal value but have cut back on the size of their overseas investments into mature markets since 2007/2008.