Central Asian and African Countries are the New Destinations of Islamic Finance: Zubair Mughal

Islamic Banking and Financial Industry Lacks Better Human Resources

29/06/2012

Muhammad Zubair Mughal, CEO, AlHuda CIBE is speaking at The First International Forum on Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions, at Jordan

The First International Forum of Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions held under the patronage of His Excellency, Dr. Fayez al-Tarawneh– Prime Minister of Jordan has come to end today in Amman; the Capital city of Jordan. The Forum was jointly organized by General Council of Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions - Bahrain and Strategy - Jordan. In this forum, different topics like Emerging trends of Islamic Banking in Arab Countries, Legal and Taxation matters of Islamic banking, Role of International Institutes in Islamic Banking and finance and Importance of Education and awareness of Takaful and Islamic banking etc. were discussed. A good number of Experts & Professionals from different countries like Pakistan, Malaysia, Palestine, Indonesia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia etc. participated in this mega forum. While addressing to the concluding session, Chief Executive Officer of AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics, Mr. Muhammad Zubair Mughal said that presently, Islamic banking is growing at a very rapid pace and the Central Asian Countries (Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan) and African Countries (Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal etc) are its new destinations of Islamic Banking and Finance where the rapid increase in the demand of Islamic banking is being observed and majority of these countries are providing shield to Islamic banking and finance industry by bringing alterations in Laws through parliaments. While presenting the review of present Islamic Finance Industry, he said that the market of Islamic finance has reached to $1.3 Trillion, in which the share of Islamic banking is 77% ($1 Trillion), share of Sukuk is 14% ($180 Billion), share of Islamic Funds is 5% ($64 Billion) and share of takaful is 1% ($12 Billion) whereas the share of other Islamic financial products like Islamic Leasing, Mudarabah Companies, Islamic Microfinance and Islamic REITs is 3% ($44 Billion). He said that in comparison with the rate of growth of Islamic Banking; the Islamic banking graduates are not being produced accordingly due to which there is a lack of supply of Man Power than the demand of Islamic Banking and finance which should be resolved immediately. He said that not only new Experts of Islamic banking and finance should be produced to be utilized in the emerging market of Islamic banking and finance but the non-qualified personnel in Islamic banking and staff of conventional banks should be changed into Islamic Financial experts so that Islamic banking could be run by qualified Islamic bankers. He further said that Islamic banking and Finance should not be only for well-off, Business personnel or middle class but its benefits should also be disseminated to poor through Islamic Microfinance so that they could get rid of poverty and live their lives respectfully through proper employment.

Sharia-compliant Insurance company launched

A new Sharia compliant insurance company which will offer group mutual guarantee insurance services for individuals against losses or damages has been launched.

Takaful Insurance of Africa (TIA) will provide a platform for Kenyans to insure themselves under mutual guarantee whereby every participant will contribute a sum of money to a common fund.

Chief executive officer, Hassan Bashir said Takaful was a fully fledged insurance company that would ensure Kenyans put their money in a pool and bear the risks together.

"Takaful intends to introduce an innovative range of products and services that will cater for both the fortunate and less fortunate in the society through risk funds that shall be contributed by members and shall again be fully owned by the same members," said Bashir.

He said Takaful insurance followed Africa's business model based on Sharia principles and was meant to serve all Kenyans regardless of their religious background. The products will be availed in Islamic banks and other designated brokers across the country.

CIC insurance chief financial officer Peter Mwaura who attended the launch Wednesday said the relationship among members of TIA would be that of co-operation for mutual benefit.

"The individual members contribute to an organized and well managed fund whose core objective will be for the welfare of the entire group. Thus the relationship is one of establishing strength through togetherness," said Mwaura.

However, Mwaura recognized the greatest challenge for the company emerging from harmonization of the regulatory environment which will be needed for mitigation of financial risks ethically, a dimension that has never been there before.


Courtesy By: Kenya Broadcasting Corporation