IslamicFinance.de

In order to achieve achieve economic outcomes which are similar to the economic outcomes achieved by conventional finance, transactions that are undertaken in Islamic finance typically require more component steps. These additional transactions are at risk of being subject to transfer taxes or to taxes on income or gains. The tax treatment of four common Islamic finance structures, commodity murabaha, sukuk, salaam and istisna in eight MENA region countries: Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and in the Qatar Financial Centre were reviewed in this report.

Insurers in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) exuded confidence as they expect that the premium growth will exceed that of the region’s gross domestic product. The region’s low insurance penetration, favourable demographics and relatively moderate natural catastrophe exposure are considered to contribute to the sector's growth. However, high levels of competition, regulatory deficiencies, market fragmentation and political risks are relevant perceived weaknesses of the Mena insurance marketplace. The majority of Islamic insurers say that the potential of Islamic insurance has been overestimated.

The Egyptian government has signed a $250m leasing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to purchase equipment for a power plant to generate electricity in South Helwan. The deal will be finalised after presidential approval. The Minister of Planning Ashraf ElAraby signed the agreement in mid-January with the IDB president Ahmed Mohamed Ali. The project aims to meet the growing demand for energy in Egypt.

The Arab Contractors (AC) has won a $30mln contract for the extension and modernization of the Abidjan International Airport cargo facilities in the Ivory Coast. The project is funded by the Islamic Development Bank and aims to create a commercial zone next to the airport, with a lodging area, hangars, a convention centre, a duty-free zone, office buildings, warehouses, exhibition halls, a shopping centre and housing for flying staff. Moreover, the Egyptian contractors will also have to refurbish the apron, renovate access roads and increase the terminal’s capacity from 11’000sqm to 26’000sqm.

Masraf Al Rayan got the approval by its extra ordinary general assembly to acquire an important share in a commercial bank in Libya. It now needs the nod of the Qatari and Libyan authorities before it can be a reality. The acquisition of the anonymous Libyan bank is part of the Masraf Al Rayan’s plan to pursue diverse investment opportunities. According to director Dr Hussain Ali al-Abdulla of Al Rayan, the Libyan bank is poised to be converted into an Islamic bank. Moreover, Masraf Al Rayan continues its efforts to acquire a large share in Islamic Bank of Britain.

The Egyptian government reportedly plans to raise up to $1bn by June through sukuk sales, with one for domestic investors and one for foreign investors. The cabinet has finished a draft law to pave the way for the issuance, which would be debated in parliament this week. The Egyptian sukuk is expected to trade with a yield of 6 to 6.5 per cent, however, the market conditions between now and the eventual issuance could change significantly. Moreover, any issuance in unlikely prior to the settlement of a deal with the IMF on the stalled $4.8bn loan package. Negotiations with the IMF will re-open in early March.

The Cabinet, under Prime Minister Hisham Qandil, stressed that the now-debated Sukuk is not an alternative to the other financing tools. The final blueprint of the Sukuk bill will be presented to the Cabinet next Wednesday 27/2/2013 after taking into consideration all remarks made by al-Azhar, the Central Bank of Egypt and investment associations. If approved, it will be referred to the Shura Council for endorsement on the same day. On the other hand, The Cabinet reviewed the security situation and urged protesters in Tahrir Square to allow the flow of traffic for the sake of citizens.

Tunisia, the Arab world’s first democracy, is under threat because of a public-private policy initiated by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The real failure can be traced to a decision on her part to mandate non-profits and non-government organizations to promote private sector investment in the region since these ignore the dynamic nature of the numerous private sector companies in Tunisia, Algeria and Libya. The economic policies originating from Washington, DC. have inflicted enormous damage and put current investments by companies in the US, Europe and the gulf sovereign wealth funds in Abu Dhabi and Doha at risk.

The new Egyptian Sukuk law will be approved on Wednesday by the cabinet before being referred to the Shura Council on the same day. It is fully Sharia-compliant, and it will have a special Sharia committee to oversee its implementation, said Ahmed El-Najjar, member of the economic committee at the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) and advisor to the minister of finance. The sukuk revenues will be used to bridge the budget deficit gap in an indirect way. However, they will not be used as an alternative to regular debt instruments, but will, rather, function more within a complimentary capacity.

Syrian banks prepare for worst-case scenarios after profits tumbled by between 40 and 90 per cent last year as the civil war further weakens the financial sector. Banking transactions such as trade finance or corporate lending have taken a big hit, while basic banking services continue despite the challenging environment. Therefore, several banks, including Byblos Bank Syria, have developed emergency plans to preserve business continuity. However, Syria's private lenders, an important part of president Bashar Al Assad's economic modernisation plan, are struggling with a mismatch of assets and liabilities.

There has been growing interest recently among conventional banks in Egypt who own licences to provide Sharia-compliant services, to restructure their branches which offer such services. Banque Misr, National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and The Principal Bank for Development and Agricultural Credit (PBDAC) are among the traditional banks that offer Sharia-compliant services. Meanwhile, Islamic banks themselves are preparing to apply their new investment plans. Financing for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has also seen a spike in interest so far this year, with conventional banks aiming to strike agreements with the Social Fund for Development (SFD) in order to increase their presence within the SME segment.

Leaders within the takaful insurance industry have predicted continued high rates of growth within the sector ranging between 15% to 20% over the next several years. This has enabled the sector to secure high profits as demand increases for financial services in Egypt’s banking industry. However, takaful insurance companies also suffer from many of the same problems plaguing commercial insurance companies, such as an overall decrease in the amount of salaries and wages, in addition to other factors associated with the general slowdown of Egypt’s economy. Since 2003, five takaful property insurance companies and three takaful life insurance companies have been established. These companies combined have come to represent nearly 30% of the Egyptian insurance market.

The Libyan General National Congress (GNC) looks to amend regulations of the financial services sector and to introduce Islamic financing into Libya for the first time. Currently there are a number of discrepancies between a new law about Islamic finance and some of the existing supervisory legislation. This has resulted in confusion that is likely to put a brake on the development of this sector, as investment companies will not be willing to develop new products. Clear common objectives, separation of powers and clarity of written rules and regulations are necessary to raise the competitiveness of Lybia's domestic banking markets, develop new Shariah-compliant financing products and provide a secure approach to the growing needs of the Libyan customers.

Egypt's Principal Bank for Development and Agricultural Credit (PBDAC) is expanding its Islamic finance activities. The bank which has 18 branches offering Islamic finance, plans to open further six branches offering Islamic services in 2013. Furthermore, PBDAC is launching Shari’ah-compliant retail banking this month with a portfolio of EGP 50 million ($7.5 million) that can be raised to EGP 100 million next June based on demand, according to Abdel Rahman Al Kafrawi, head of Islamic transactions at PBDAC. The new Islamic services will reportedly cover areas including purchases of durable goods and agricultural equipment, the setting up of clinics and medical laboratories, and the financing of education fees.

United Gulf Financial Services - North Africa has announced the launch of its 'Themar Investment Fund', with a capital of TND 50 million (approximately US$ 32 million). The fund targets small and medium Tunisian institutions seeking financing in different business sectors that support the Tunisian economy. Priority is given to existing and restructured projects in urban areas. According to Mohamed Fekih, Chairman of UGFS - North Africa, the fund will contribute to boost and diversify the Tunisian economy as well as increase Foreign Direct Investment and further develop Islamic banking in the country.

The economic committee of the Shura Council prepared a draft law for sukuk, which differs from the Ministry of Finance’s current project regarding sukuk. According to Saeed Aref, a member of the council’s economic committee, the draft law grants foreigners the right to invest in sukuk usufruct for a maximum duration of 40 years, saying there will be no maximum percentage of ownership. Al-Azhar will be consulted to see the compatibility of the law with Sharia before the end of dialogue sessions, he added.

Egypt's Principal Bank for Development and Agricultural Credit (PBDAC) is launching sharia-compliant retail banking services this month to meet increasing demand in rural areas. According to Abdel Rahman Al Kafrawi, head of Islamic transactions at PBDAC, the bank will offer retail finance at 18 Islamic branches through murabaha and musharaka structures. The new Islamic services cover areas including purchases of durable goods and agricultural equipment, the setting up of clinics and medical laboratories, and the financing of education fees. PBDAC launches its new services with a portfolio of 50 million pounds ($7.5 million), that can be raised to 100 million next June based on demand.

Egypt’s Islamist government is making preparations for the country’s first sovereign sukuk after the cabinet of ministers approved the new draft sukuk bill on January 16. The new finance minister, El-Morsi Hegazy, reportedly plans the law might ultimately raise an additional $10 billion for the sovereign. Investors, however, do not yet sound convinced, since there might be another revolution to come. Nevertheless, Egypt has considerable potential as an Islamic finance market.

· You have a first experience in field sales success.
· Your sense of pedagogy, combined with control of insurance products, leading you to manage a profit center and a team manager.

Managing-Director of Bank Mellat Ali Divandari announced that his bank has been removed from the European Union's sanctions list. The EU Council had listed Bank Mellat and its then-chairman Dr Divandari in the designated list in July 2010 on the basis that it was a legitimate part of its regime of sanctions designed to stop the Iranian nuclear program. Both the bank and Dr Divandari challenged the sanctions in the European Court which finally declared a ruling in support of Bank Mellat.