IslamicFinance.de

The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), a non-profit organisation, has traditionally focused on neighbouring countries, which form a core market for the industry. The Bahrain-based association now plans to expand beyond the Gulf, so that it can shape rules and practices in new markets as they grow. Addressing the lack of well-trained professionals in Islamic finance, CIBAFI plans to expand its training and certification programmes. The body also plans to hold forums in new markets for Islamic finance, including events in Morocco and Libya later this year. One of CIBAFI's key messages is that Islamic windows need to operate under clear rules to improve the perceptions of consumers. CIBAFI has 114 member institutions, including Egypt's Faisal Islamic Bank, Kuwait Finance House and Bahrain-based Al Baraka Banking Group.

Thomson Reuters will be discussing Oman's leading position as a preferred investment destination for Sukuk during an upcoming forum set to take place on February 24, 2013. It will be investigated what needs to be done to facilitate the country's entry to global Islamic financial markets by Thomson Reuters with support from the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI) and Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI). Thought leaders, bankers, and Shariah scholars will discuss the opportunities of setting up Islamic financial markets operations in Oman, how to capitalize on the global Islamic financial markets interest, and explore prospects to develop a strong Islamic interbank and fixed income market.