IslamicFinance.de

Roughly one-third of those suffering from extreme poverty worldwide live in member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In 21 of those 57 countries, fewer than half of the population has access to adequate sanitation. Instability places enormous strain on national budgets. The capital accumulated in some of the OIC countries could play an important role in helping them. If Islamic finance is to play its full part, governments will need to undertake important reforms. There is a need for stronger legal institutions that protect property rights and ensure that contracts are enforced. The industry will need to be standardised and regulated.