IslamicFinance.de

An exclusive home finance scheme for high-end residential communities was launched by Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) and Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) on Saadiyat island. THe new scheme is applicable to purchases of the luxury Saadiyat Beach Villas. A unique and simple home finance package for potential residents of the Villas including 100% finance up to Dhs30m repayable over a period of 25 years with a competitive profit rate starting from 4.99% will be offered.

In Malaysia, Islamic finance has been developing at a rapid pace during the recent years and has become a serious rival to conventional banking in largely Muslim countries like this. The pioneer lender in the country - HSBC - embodies the development and success of Islamic banking in Malaysia. However, in other countries the bank did not gain such a profit. Not long ago it even announced the closing of its Islamic finance operations in six markets, remaining present only in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and a scaled-down operation in Indonesia. The reason therefore is said to be the differences in interpretation of the Islamic law in different countries.

Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz - governor of Bank Negara Malaysia - recently announced that the legislative process for the new legal framework for Islamic banking and takaful to be enacted is progressing. Not only will the new framework streamline the legal requirements across sectors but it is also expected to make sure that the law was reflective of the nature and features of Shariah contracts. Moreover, this way the degree of regulation would commensurate with level of risks that Islamic financial institutions, markets and products pose to the overall financial sytem.

Qatar's emir has eventually given his approval to the regulatory reform which is expected to simplify the slow and complex process of doing business in the country. However, no timetable for the completion of a reform first mooted five years ago was given. According to a central bank spokesman, the law ensures an umbrella body which will regulate banks, financial services and insurance companies and the country's bourse as well as banking, financial and insurance companies licensed by the Qatar Financial Center.

According to an announcement by Noor Islamic Bank, the bank will launch its new product Business Instalment Finance. This new package will serve to cater to the financial requirements of small businesses. Small businesses which already have a business relationship with Noor Islamic Bank will have access to loans at competitive profit rates. Part of the new package is fixed-term financing of up to AED 750,000 for 48 months. Documentation and the processing time will be held at minimum.

In conclusion of a detailed and extensive selection process, Bank Dhofar chose IFS as the Consultancy and product implementation partner for Shariah compliant products for their corporate as well as individual customers. In IFS, Bank Dhofar found a trusted partner with the necessary knowledge and expertise to make offering suitable Shariah compliant products possible. According to the recently signed agreement, IFS will provide Sharia complaint products to the bank. The project consists of two phases. The first will include products for individuals while the second will include products directed towards corporates and individuals.

It is necessary for regulators in the Middle East to gather in order to coordinate on regulatory changes. Thus it will be possible for countries in the Gulf to profit from domestic and foreign fund manager participation.

In order to stabilize the role of Islamic banking in the country, Jordan's government will establish a leading regional center for Islamic finance. This was made possible particularly by the rapid growth of Islamic banking in Jordan after the enforcement of laws organizing the work of takaful insurance and sukuk. So far, the assets of the four Islamic banks operating in Jordan is $4.6 billion. This constitutes 5% of the total banking assets. With an annual growth of 13% they develop better and faster compared with traditional banks in terms of deposits and financing.

Al Baraka Islamic Bank announced the introduction of new Islamic financial products. Furthermore, it will open several new branches in Pakistan with the purpose to facilitate the consumers of Islamic products. According to Adnan Ahmad Yousaf - president and CEO of Al Baraka Islamic Bank - Islamic banking is a modern alternative way of banking today and continuously attracts funds. Its aim is to generate economic activity and to spread money throughout society.

Banque Populaire de Mauritanie (BPM) recently announced its decision to use Path Solutions's new iMAL as its Islamic Core Banking Solution in order to keep up with the national and international competition in terms of functionality and technical state. According to Limam Ould Ebnou - AGM of Groupe Mauritanie Leasing, the owner of BPM - Groupe Mauritanie Leasing is set to diversify their activities. Banking operations compliant with Islamic law are a key area in the financial group's plans. Thus a suitable alternative to conventional banking and the establishment of socio-economic infrastructure in the country can be ensured.

According to a senior banker, UAE banks face difficulties in implementing the central bank’s new regulations on curtailing lending to government firms. Noor Islamic Bank's CEO - Hussain Al Qemzi - explains that the objective of the central bank is not clear enough. He further adds that it is not the optimal timing for exercising control and putting in place regulations so that banks do not have enough time to change the situation. They are unable to sell the huge amount the possess of these assets in such a short time in the market available.

Kuveyt Turk has made an application for a a German banking licence. According to its Chief Executive - Ufuk Uyan - it thus aims to become the first Islamic bank in Germany. The company is now waiting for a response from German financial watchdog BaFin. Kuveyt Turk's plans include opening a number of branches in Germany and probably in other European countries later. Moreover, it is decided upon an initial capital investment worth 45 million euros ($58 million) in the planned German unit.

Sharia banking soars in several countries including Indonesia with 191 operating sharia banks. Between 2007 and 2011, the sharia banking sector has achieved an average growth-rate of 40.2 percent per annum. Even thought the potential of sharia banking is big, the conventional banking system still plays an important role in banking system which cannot be overseen.

KPMG and ACCA report underlines the necessity of the harmonization of the financial reporting and tighter cooperation of Islamic banks with the International Accounting Standards Board in order to develop guidance, standards and educate the investor community on key issues.

D. Subbarao, governer of RBI, explains that because of legal issues, Islamic banking will not be possible in Kerala. This is the only state in the country which has been striving for introduction of Islamic banking. RBI has already addressed Indian government on the matter pointing out the necessary amendments. Subbarao further suggests that the restriction on Islamic banking could have a work-around through other models instead of banking. These have been proposed to the government of Kerala.

According to the chairman of Boubyan Bank, Islamic banking in Kuwait is growing double as fast as conventional banking. Throughout the Arab region, the demand is expected to be strong. In the first nine months of this year, credit volumes at Islamic banks in the kingdom reached KD11.1 billion ($39.3 billion). This is an increase of 13.2% compared to the same period in 2011. Meanwhile, conventional banks were able to register credit growth of 5.6% reaching KD18.6 billion. This is the reason why Boubyan has no interest in in overseas expansion yet.

Until now, rules and procedures Islamic Banking Institutions (IBIs) in Pakistan have been following were too general and occasionally not sufficiently specific. In fact, they were not much different from the conventional banking in terms of rate of return on deposits. However, on 19th November a landmark was set by the issuance of detailed instructions by the State Bank.

The instructions will serve to improve transparency and disclosures and bring standardisation in the IBIs' profit and loss distribution policies and practices. As the instructions determine, each pool of deposits established by IBIs would play the role of a virtual enterprise. It will have explicitly demarcated sources of funds, ownership of specific assets and income and expenses.

According to the chairman of Boubyan Bank, the growth rate of Islamic finance in Kuwait is the double of the one of conventional banking. In his opinion, strong demand throughout the Arab region can be expected. The country's Islamic banks reached credit volumes of 11.1 billion Kuwaiti dinars ($39.3 billion) during the first nine months of the year. This is 13.2% more than during the same period last year. Conventional banks on the other hand registered a 5.6% credit growth. Since the demand for sharia-complaint banking is so high in Kuwait, Boubyan has no intention to expand overseas yet. This contrasts with Kuwait Finance House (KFH).

According to Bank of Khartoum's plans, the bank will increase its capital more than three times with the help of an expansion in the resource-rich country enabled by its Gulf investors. The investors are certain that peace with South Sudan will be maintained. Due to wars, poverty and a decade-long conflict with South Sudan, Sudan could not make use of the possible large-scale foreign investments so far. The U.S. sanctions against Sudan in place over its human rights record since 1997 have had an enormous effect. Since the agreement to end hostilities in September, Gulf Arab investors look more positively on Sudan.

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has indicated that it might consider introducing Islamic finance to Ghana provided that the prospects are positive. There have been arguments among industry players whether or not Islamic banking is a potential solution to the high interest rates challenges for the private sector. According to Dr. Henry Wampah - Acting Governor of the BoG - the bank intends to consider this matter in the very near future.