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Islamic Development Bank (IDB) president Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al Madani suggested four key areas for the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) to focus on durich his keynote address at the 10th IFSB Summit in Kuala Lumpur. These include the creation of a conducive enabling environmen, adoption of IFSB and AAOIFI standards by all stakeholders, shortage of qualified manpower and financial inclusion through Islamic microfinance, supported by Zakat and Awqaf. In this context, IDB hopes for more collaborative opportunities with IFSB. Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdulla Saoud Al-Thani, chairman of IFSB 2013, highlighted some of the challenges that lie ahead in the Islamic financial service industry like the under-penetrated Takaful industry.

Moody's Investors Service has downgraded Kuwait Finance House's (KFH) long term ratings by one notch to A1 from Aa3. Moody's also downgraded KFH's baseline credit assessment (BCA) and bank financial strength rating (BFSR) by two notches to ba1/D+ from baa2/C- respectively. The Prime-1 short term rating was confirmed. All ratings assigned to KFH carry a negative outlook. The rating actions reflect (1) continued asset quality pressures (2) an increasing reliance on volatile investment income and (3) the current organisational complexity and overall risk profile inconsistent with global peers. The rating action concludes the review for downgrade initiated for Kuwait Finance House on 7 November 2012.

Ensuring the provision of financial services to the poor can address the challenge of poverty alleviation. A large portion of the poor population, however, is excluded from formal financial services. Although access to Islamic microfinance is critical to growth and prosperity in many countries it is provided only by a small number of providers covering less than 1% of the total microfinance outreach. Sustainability of Islamic microfinance institutions (MFIs) is also an emerging challenge. Moreover, Islamic MFIs tend to predominantly use murabaha (cost-plus credit sale) and qard hassan (interest free loans). These products have implications related to sustainability and outreach of MFIs as the cost can be higher in the former and the latter does not generate any return. Innovative solutions are needed to develop more comprehensive and efficient instruments which build on sustainable business models and product diversity.

Al Baraka Islamic Bank is raising $200 million through trust certificates in a Sukuk Al Wakala issue which will mature in 2015. The 18-month sukuk is aimed at raising cash to help increase the bank's exposure to Sharia-compliant trade finance. The issue is being promoted through a private placement with participants able to invest a minimum of $100,000. The purchase price for the certificates is 100 per cent of their face amount, plus an amount equal to 2pc of the face amount of the certificates for an agency. The certificates will not be listed or admitted to trading on any stock exchanges or markets. The bank expects a profit return on the certificates of 6pc over the 18- month period.

Indonesia’s proposed Shariah megabank would improve industry awareness, lower costs and help the bank compete to win plantation, mining and infrastructure business. Combining the Islamic units of the government-held lenders is the most feasible of three options being considered by the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry. The other two options being considered are setting up a new state-owned Islamic lender or converting an existing government-held bank into a Shariah-compliant operation. It is possible the government could proceed with more than one of the choices. The ministry is currently in discussions with Bank Indonesia and will present a finalized proposal to the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry by the end of May. Government approval is expected by the end of the year.

The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest review of Bahrain points out that the size of the financial sector remains a key structural vulnerability of the banking sector. Stress tests indicate that the large wholesale segment is resilient to credit shocks, but there are pockets of vulnerabilities in the retail segment, particularly in Islamic banks because of their concentrated exposures to local and regional real estate. Risks in vulnerable banks could be ameliorated by the buildup of additional capital cushions through earnings retention. Planned adoption of the Basel III capital and liquidity frameworks, the designation of domestically systemically-important financial institutions, and moving the existing deposit insurance scheme to a pre-funded system should be considered.

Kuwaiti Ambassador to Qatar Ali Salman Al-Haifi praised Kuwaiti-Qatar coordination, namely setting up the sixth waqf forum. The forum which concluded on Tuesday reflected keenness of the two countries on maintaining the Islamic endowment, which is one of the important pillars for social solidarity, Al-Haifi said. The two-day forum, which dealt with emerging issues and Islamic legitimacy, was organized by Qatar's Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, in coordination with Kuwait Awqaf awqaf authorities and the Islamic Research and Training Institute, an affiliate of the Islamic Development Bank Group.

The U.S. Treasury Department has placed sanctions on Al Hilal Exchange and Al Fida International General Trading, both based in Dubai. The two institutions were targeted for their role in providing financial services to Bank Mellat, which is itself under U.S. sanctions for being involved in Iran’s nuclear program. Both the exchange house and the trading company helped Iran maintain access to foreign currency Exchange. Moreover, Al Hilal also provided services to Bank Melli, which is also under U.S. sanctions. Representatives from each firm couldn’t be reached.

Qatar is striving to raise its credit rating to ‘AAA’, two levels higher than its current rating of 'AA' with a stable outlook. The country’s economic growth accelerated to an average 13% during the period from 2008 to 2012. Such favourable international ratings, combined with a healthy financial climate, ensured that Qatar enjoyed a stable economic outlook. However, Qatar may find it difficult to win a credit rating upgrade in the next two years unless the nation reduces its reliance on public spending. According to Standard & Poor's, Qatar’s limited monetary flexibility, and its banks’ increasing dependence on external financing stand in the way of raising the rating from ‘AA’.

Goldman Sachs International on Wednesday outbid Fortress Investment Group LLC to provide exit financing to Arcapita Bank BSC worth up to $350 million, money that will allow the Bahraini bank to meet outstanding obligations and work its way out of bankruptcy. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean H. Lane noted that the bank was in the unusual position of having two institutions fighting over which would be able to provide the financing.

Tamkeen and Family Bank announced the launch of 'Mantoojati', a joint initiative aimed at enhancing the growth and sustainability of productive families in Bahrain. Through "Mantoojati", the beneficiaries will receive support to set up kiosks in selected shopping malls around the kingdom to market their products and services to a wider customer base. The support will be around BD6000 per applicant and will cover the cost of renting and setting up a booth. This will be complemented by the advisory services already provided to the beneficiaries by Tamkeen and Family Bank. According to Dr. Atef Elshabrawy, CEO of Family Bank, the programme seeks to encourage and motivate local and home-made goods and crafts, which the bank supports through funding and guidance.

Bahrain-based Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG) announced net income increased by 15 per cent to $66 million, and total operating income by 16 per cent to $233 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Total assets increased by 2 per cent and amounted to $19.5 billion. Total deposits including equity of investment accountholders grew by 2 per cent while total financing and investments remained unchanged at the end of March 2013 as compared with the end of December 2012. According to the group's CEO Adnan Ahmed Yousif, the good results are due to the bank's initiatives like introducing more innovative products, expanding the branch network of ABG subsidiary units, and entering new markets as well as modernizing and developing the group's infrastructures.

Dubai recently announced that its latest aspiration was to become the leading Islamic business hub in the world. Under the umbrella of Islamic finance, the emirate is hoping to provide the best facilities for Islamic finance instruments, Islamic insurance, the halal food industry and Islamic trade and quality-management standards. Dubai has numerous advantages as an Islamic finance hub, like its existing strong business and financial infrastructure as well as an established regulatory framework and political and socio-economic stability. Moreover, the emirate plans to set up a central Shariah board to supervise all Islamic financial products used in Dubai. However, the emirate needs to integrate a Shariah- compliant business framework with the already established conventional framework. Furthermore, Dubai also faces rivalry from the other GCC nations.

La Mauritanie compte un nouvel établissement bancaire avec la création de la Banque Mouamalat Assahiha (BMS) qui travaille exclusivement avec les produits de la finance islamique. La nouvelle banque est dotée d’un capital de 20 millions de dollars américains, soit six milliards d’ouguiyas. La BMS opère conformément aux principes de la Charia (loi islamique) en matière de transaction financière. Il s’agit d’une banque universelle d’investissement qui s’adresse à la fois aux entreprises et aux particuliers. La Mauritanie compte actuellement 18 banques à capitaux nationaux et étrangers dont cinq institutions de financement islamique.

The successful closure and signing of a US$ 230,500,000 and EUR 115,300,000 Syndicated Dual-Currency Murabaha Financing Facility for Asya Kat?l?m Bankas? A.?. (Bank Asya) was announced by its Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and its Bookrunners. The Facility was signed on 30 April 2013 and a commemorative event was being held to mark the occasion. Launched at US$ 225 Million, the Facility was oversubscribed to close at US$ 382 Million equivalent with participation from 28 banks from across the globe. It carries a profit rate of 125 bppa over the relevant benchmark. Bank Asya will use the proceeds to expand its financing activities in Turkey.

The Board of directors of Jordan Islamic Bank that is represented by Mr. Adnan Ahmad Yousif approved the financial statements of the 1st quarter of the current year. The Bank has achieved net profits after tax that amounted to $14.67m compared to $10.16m during the same period last year. Shareholders' equity at the end of the first quarter of the current year increased by 4.6% to reach about $336.95m. The Bank's assets with the managed accounts added to (restricted investment accounts and Muqarada bonds) amounted to about $4.67bn. Customers' deposits (including managed accounts) at the end of the 1st quarter of the current year reached approximately $4.200bn. Mr. Adnan Ahmed Yousif expressed his satisfaction over the results the Bank.

The board of BIMB Holdings Bhd is set to deliberate on Dubai Financial Group LLC's (DFG) sale of a 30% stake in Bank Islam Malaysia Bhd. BIMB's group managing director and CEO Johan Abdullah said that there is no official agreement yet, and that the board is going to discuss this by the end of the month. He added that the sale must have value proposition and earnings accretion for shareholders of the company as a whole. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) gave BIMB Holdings until June 30, 2013 to complete its negotiations to buy DFG's 30% stake in Bank Islam Malaysia. Therefore, the parties must ensure the negotiations are completed within this deadline.

Earlier this year Standard & Poor’s (S&P) documented the global trend of last year, and predicted another strong few years, subject to the resolution of certain structural factors. Global issuance had grown for the fourth year running in 2012, by 64 per cent to about $138 billion. However, funding needs and infrastructural investments, combined with investor sentiment, are behind today’s momentum. Supportive GCC-Asian trade policies and the international search for yield will reinforce the attraction of GCC sukuk. Banks needing to refinance existing debt and match the needs of corporate clients, particularly in project finance, will provide a further boost regionally. Sovereign and sovereign-related issuance will continue to shape the sukuk market, which will also see increased participation from frontier markets, notably in Africa.

Arab Bank recently issued its annual sustainability report for the third consecutive year; the report is a summary of the bank's performance and achievements on the social, economic and environmental levels for the year 2012. Arab Bank is the first Jordan based bank to issue a sustainability report at international standards. It focuses in detail on the internal programs adopted by the Bank, such as the integration of certain environmental and social criteria, in addition to the implementation of a number of initiatives that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also increase internal awareness levels. Also covered in the report are the Bank's social contributions, in addition to the participation of the Bank's employees in volunteering activities and capacity building programs for non-profit organizations.

State investment company Khazanah Nasional Bhd is gearing for more innovative investment options to follow its landmark portfolios in the sukuk marketplace. It plans to publish a coffee table book to share its success stories thus far. In recent weeks, Khazanah was in the news when it selected three banks to help arrange a sale of US$1 billion (RM2.98 billion) of convertible Islamic bonds. The Shar iah- compl iant bonds, or sukuk, would be exchangeable into shares of companies controlled by Khazanah. The company has launched innovative sukuk across Asia including the first global sukuk in US dollars, in Singapore dollars and in the yuan exchange. A rough estimate shows that Khazanah has helped raise US$3.5 billion for companies based in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong, among others.