Taking the lead initiative by creating an integrated full solution to the problems of SMEs financing, Caisse Des Depots Et Consignations (CDC) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group, and with support from KIPCO group, Albaraka Bank and the Bank of Financing SMEs (BFPME)

WIBC was convened under the Patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the awards were presented by H.E. Rasheed Al Maraj, the Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain. Presented each year of the past 16 years to industry leaders who have distinguished themselves in the field of Islamic Finance, the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) Awards are among the oldest and most prestigious in the world.

The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) has long prided itself on its reputation as one of the most successful Islamic institution that contributed to the development of the private sector in its member countries.

Khalijia Invest announced the commencement of its operations, under the five licenses awarded by the Saudi Capital Market Authority. As one of the recently established investment companies in the region, Khalijia Invest specializes in Corporate Finance, Asset Management and Investment Advisory, operating in compliance with Shari’ah guidelines.

Ajman Bank, the Emirate’s first Islamic commercial bank, lately hosted its first Annual Business Community Forum under the patronage of HH Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and chairman of Ajman Bank. The Forum, the first of its kind to be held by the Bank, has been designed to provide a platform for the exchange of information, networking and relationship building within the business community. 

To further boost its forces and believing in the high qualifications of Bahraini citizens and as part of its Bahrainisation drive, Tharawat Investment House (Tharawat), the latest investment house to operate in Bahrain according to principles of Sharia’a, has been joined by three new Bahraini directors.

Mohammad Ali, General Manager of the Saudi Sudan bank spoke about the effect of the international crisis on Sudan and his opinion on its causes and effect on the global economy. Finally, the GM shed some light on his bank, its expansion, and future prospects.

CEO of Best Lease Aissa Heidoussi started by shedding some light on the Tunisian leasing sector and how far the overall market was affected by the global crisis and what are the strength of the Tunisian economy and how is the government fighting back. The CEO also gave a brief overview of his company, its capital and current profits.

Sheikh Saleh Kamel the God Father of the Islamic banking in the MENA region says that the banking sector in the UAE is safe and sound. As the economic slump carry on, leaders of the financial industry are getting more involved in various specialized events. Sheikh Saleh Kamel spoke at the recent Union of Arab Banks conference-Dubai about the effect and causes of the global crisis and the state of the banking sector in the UAE.

Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) in cooperation with the UAE Institute of Training and Judicial Studies has organised a five-day professional training programme for students enrolled in judicial studies, as part of the bank's ongoing initiative to extend practical and professional education to UAE nationals.