IslamicFinance.de

Our Base platform to work will be IFLEX / Flexcube)
To identify and resolve application issues related to Core Banking systems of Noor Investment Group
To provide consultancy to users on queries related to Core Banking systems.
To Liaise with vendors and partners in resolving issues related to Core Banking Systems.
To ensure smooth service availability of Core banking systems.
To assist in new implementations, enhancements and upgrades of Core Banking Systems.
To perform System Integration tests (SIT) and co-ordinate User Acceptance Test (UAT) activities related to Core Banking Systems.

1. Co-ordinate customer-bank interactions regarding bank products and services.

2.Ensure timely processing of high quality credit proposals by the team for existing and potential customers through compilation and analysis of complete borrower information.

3.Supervise relationship management of assigned Affluent/Commercial/SME portfolio.

4.Identify prospective opportunities, actively market such prospects and negotiate with customers for obtaining their business and maintain follow-ups.

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•Developing and managing a comprehensive consumer credit risk policy and roadmap, which supports business segment strategies and overall strategy for Islamic Products of Retail Bank in compliance with Shariah principles and guidelines
•Managing credit approval process for all islamic products of the Retail Bank
•Monitoring the risk management performance of credit products/portfolios and providing an ongoing assessment of credit risks in the Asset portfolio and product strategies.
•Establishing operating policies and procedures relating to credit approval and verification, collections/ repossession/foreclosure management and fraud.
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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) of the Islamic Development Bank agreed today to cooperate in the Arab States region on fighting poverty and creating jobs. The first area of joint work is an initiative to boost employment through trade reforms. 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 2013. It is funded by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation -- a unit of the Islamic Development Bank Group -- as well as the Governments of Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Sweden and UNDP.

Hawkamah’s Private Equity Task Force aims to encourage Private Equity firms to appraise or to re-appraise their corporate governance status and to adopt best practice standards. Its remit is to assist the Private Equity Industry in the MENA region by developing corporate governance principles and practice guidelines. Leonardo Peklar, Hawkamah CEO stressed that adopting a better corporate governance culture focuses on adapting the principles to regional cultural requirements and realities. Within this framework, implementing corporate governance positively impacts performance and aligns the interests of stakeholders.

Chairman of Al-Eslah Society (Islamic Society for Social Reform) Humoud Hamad Al-Roumi said at the 10th meeting of Deewan Al-Khair, an event that is part of Kuwaiti forum for charity work that Kuwait is a pioneer in the field of charity with all its various forms. Head of Al-Rahma International Charity's Palestine Office Dr. Waleed Al-Anjari offered a presentation about Gaza reconstruction project which reached the cost of USD 25 million, including various forms of humanitarian relief. Head of the Al-Rahma International Charity's Djibouti Office, Sa'ed Al-Otaibi, tackled his experience of charity work in Djibouti with the participation of young Kuwaitis in a journey they called "Life that has no life" in a country of total population of one million people. The majority of them are suffering from severe poverty.

A consortium of Gulf-based banks has announced the successful closing of a $230.5 million and a euros 115.3 million syndicated dual-currency Murabaha financing facility for Turkish Bank Asya. Launched at $225 million, the facility was oversubscribed to close at $382 million equivalent with participation from 28 banks from across the globe. The facility carries a profit rate of 125 bppa over the relevant benchmark. The proceeds from the facility will be used by Bank Asya to expand its financing activities in Turkey. ABC Islamic Bank, Barwa Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, National Bank of Abu Dhabi, Noor Islamic Bank and Standard Chartered Bank were the Initial Mandated Lead Arrangers and also the Bookrunners for the deal.

Brandon Short, a former Goldman Sachs investment banking executive for MENA, will join with two former senior executives from Deutsche Bank to form World Business Partners UAE ("WBP"), a small business finance company based in Dubai. The other co-founders of WBP are Doug Naidus, former Managing Director and Global Head of the Residential Lending Division of Deutsche Bank, and former Chairman and CEO of MortgageIT, and Alex Gemici, former Managing Director and Head of MENA Residential Finance for Deutsche Bank. World Business Partners UAE will offer a Shariah-compliant financing solution ranging from AED 35,000 to AED 1.5 million for small businesses seeking working capital. WBP’s ijara asset sale-leaseback program allows SMEs to use the cash equity of their existing assets to fund their businesses’ growth and expansion.

As they shift towards more market-based economies, Arab companies can no longer afford to neglect demands for greater accountability and transparency in the boardroom. Ten years ago companies had their own practices and policies addressing accountability and social responsibility but there were no regulatory precepts and little attention paid to details of transparency or conflict of interest – issues crucial to the running of a modern business. Today 14 of the 17 MENA economies have a corporate code of some description and “hawkamah” (the Arabic word for governance) is becoming more than just a catchphrase. But while some countries are making great strides improving accountability and transparency, in many of the countries that need it most - those experiencing political, social and economic transition with an urgent need for foreign investment and jobs - the process has faltered.

Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC), the world's biggest petrochemicals group, will issue a sukuk late this year or next year to fund coming projects. SABIC has 40 billion riyals ($10.7 billion) worth of projects over the next few years and the company prefers to fund these with sukuk. Its Chief Financial Officer Mutlaq al-Morished said the timing of the sukuk would depend upon both the development of the projects and conditions in financial markets. It is too early to give the size of the sukuk, he added.

British lender Barclays has said Middle East syndicated lending is recovering from a three-year low, as companies seek to lock in cheaper funding costs to repay debt maturing this year and in 2014. Regional loans surged nearly 50% in the first quarter from a year earlier to $15.2bn, led by borrowings from the UAE, said the CEO for the Middle East and North Africa, John Vitalo. Market conditions were now conducive to borrowing, reducing loan margins leading to an overall reduced cost to the borrower, Vitalo added. There was also a hunt for yield by the international banks given their demand-starved markets and interest from regional companies to borrow, he said.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum, advisor to Dubai's ruler, has said the emirate may issue another sovereign bond in 2013. He also said the government is looking at alternate means to repay its debt if asset sales don't materialise. When asked if an alternative to asset sales was in place, he confirmed that they were considering it. However, he could not specify what, since it's confidential information because of the restructuring.

Few Saudis are insuring their homes despite the recent floods and the relatively low-cost SR 5,000 annual premium per house on average. Sheikh Khaldoun Barakat, chairman of the board of directors of Arab Reinsurance Company, said current prices are “reasonable” and based on a house’s location, preparations to avoid risk and other factors.
He added companies and shops need to have insurance because there is a high risk of heavy losses if an accident or disaster occurs. Homeowners and businesspeople in Saudi Arabia are unaware of the importance of insurance against disasters. according to Barakat. Insurance experts said that government and the private sector should raise awareness of the importance of housing insurance.

The Capital Market Authority is finalizing a regulatory framework which will allow foreigners to directly own stocks in Saudi Arabia, though the market has no need for liquidity from international investors. Foreign investment is attracted to come to the market for the technical expertise and human capacity. Indications are that foreign appetite is strong to invest in the largest regional exchange, which could add greater depth and breadth to the market and ultimately benefit all participants, Furthermore, large institutional investors could push for greater disclosures and transparency which will pave the way for Saudi equities to be included in widely followed emerging markets indices. Following this, the next steps would be the introduction of new instruments such as REITs, options and warrants, and covered shorts. An efficient and well-regulated market should be the eventual goal.

Bahrain-based First Energy Bank (FEB) plans to build a $1 billion polysilicon production plant in Saudi Arabia with a local partner to cater to rising regional investments in solar power. The project is spearheaded by the strategic partner, FEB and the techno-commercial developer, Project Management and Development Company (PMD). It will cover a total area of approximately 375,000 square meters in Al Jubail Industrial City 2, and is expected to start production in 2013. The project will have a total production capacity of 7,500 tons per annum. It is expected that future expansion of the project facility (in second phase) would include investments in downstream sector. The project has achieved key milestones like the signing of the power supply agreement with Saudi Electricity Company (SEC).

Arcapita Bank has lined up $350 million in financing to take it out of Chapter 11 protection this summer. The Bahraini investment firm is seeking bankruptcy-court approval to move forward with a deal under which Goldman Sachs International will arrange and syndicate up to $350 million in financing, which court papers show will be structured to be compliant with Islamic Sharia law.

According to Omar Al Mardi, Managing Director, Bahrain Financial Harbour, Bahrain depends on direct foreign investment. However, when there is political instability there is risk of having little foreign investment. Bahrain Financial Harbour ("BFH") has recently signed a 7 year BD90.5 million (US$ 240 million) Ijara facility for the Financial Center Project with several banks. The transaction was subject to Shariah Law and to English law. With this financing, the intention is to complete the infrastructure systems and facilities in Bahrain and to support the businesses within the Financial Harbour complex to eventually become the business location of the choice in the Middle East, Al Mardi said. Within the next six months to a year BFH will seek new targets and projects, he added.

Bank Nizwa and INCEIF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), under which the institutions will collaborate to jointly provide structured training and development initiatives for Omani nationals working in the Islamic Finance Industry. The MoU was signed at the Oman Islamic Economic Forum (OIEF), held recently at the Al Bustan Palace. The OIEF, the brainchild of Amjaad Development and Bank Nizwa, took the theme of 'The Islamic Economy: a Culture of Excellence'. INCEIF, The Global University of Islamic Finance, was set up by Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia) to develop human capital for the global Islamic finance industry. The collaboration aims to provide thought leadership training to the Omani Islamic finance industry in order for the regional and global industry to benefit.

Kuwait-based Asiya Investments has launched an Islamic trade finance fund with $20 million in seed capital, aiming to cater to small Asian manufacturers. Asiya aims to fill a gap left by Western banks that are scaling back their trade finance business, making credit scarce for small and medium-sized firms. Due to the world financial crisis and higher capital requirements under upcoming Basel III regulations, about 20 percent of the trade finance business could be opened up to non-bank institutions. Asiya's fund aims for a net return to investors of above 5.0 percent and it has $55 million worth of assets in the pipeline, with capacity for approximately $400 million. The firm identifies clients such as denim and latex manufacturers through its Singapore-based joint venture partner, EuroFin Asia.

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has revised the outlook to stable from positive and affirmed the financial strength rating of C++ (Marginal) and the issuer credit rating of “b” of Boubyan Takaful Insurance Company (Kuwait). The revised outlook reflects Boubyan’s decision not to ring-fence assets in favour of policyholders. The risk-adjusted capitalisation of Boubyan’s policyholders’ fund remains weak. Additionally, recent management turnover adds uncertainty to the future performance of the company. Boubyan has experienced volatile operating results and is a small player in the Kuwaiti market. Concurrently, A.M. Best has withdrawn the ratings as the company has requested to no longer participate in A.M. Best’s interactive rating process.