IslamicFinance.de

Belgium’s first independent market study "Islamic finance in Belgium – sizing the retail market" points out that over 70 per cent of local Muslims are interested in Islamic finance products and services. The study was independently commissioned by the Association for the Development of Islamic Finance (ADEFI) in conjunction with IFAAS (Islamic Finance Advisory & Assurance Services). It analyses Muslim consumers’ current consumption of financial products and services and their predisposition to change from conventional products to Islamic products.

The Moroccan Bank 'Chaabi' intends to launch a Sharia compliant account in June 2012 in Brussels, Belgium, the capital of the European Union according to newspaper 'La Libre'. The project is under review and the regulatory authoritz FSMA will be contacted according to Mr. Semlali, a representative of the bank.

Law.com reported on 3 April that Loyens & Loeff has launched an Islamic finance practice -- in a move thought to make Loyens the first Benelux firm to target the sector with a dedicated team, following the hiring of Marjorie Sinke as head last February. Sinke -- a former judge at The Hague -- joins Loyens after running her own Islamic finance consultancy. She was also previously an associate at Benelux giant Stibbe.

Source: http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1207133080920