In a speech delivered on 24 March to the Reform Export Summit, Hugo Swire MP, the UK Government minister responsible for Islamic finance development in the UK spoke of the long-term economic trend and development of Islamic finance and how the UK is positioning itself to take advantage of this growth. »

A new report presents an overview of Technology and Innovation in within the Islamic Finance segment of Islamic Banking. »

The UK Government re-affirmed its commitment to develop the UK as a global centre for Islamic finance in a report released yesterday. »

Recent market updates within the Islamic Finance Sukuk sector as the market displayed signs of increased activity. »

The Islamic financial sector in Europe, although small in size, has promising potentials to gain traction given the fast expanding bilateral ties between European countries and Islamic financial hubs of the GCC and Malaysia. »

The La Riba Bank account started in Kenya in 2006 to provide Islamic Finance and Banking services for Kenya’s 8 million Muslims who represent 25% of the population. »

The Bank of London and Middle East (BLME) is an Islamic finance provider based in London which is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), the UK’s deposit protection scheme which protects deposits up to £85,000. »

In 2012, the state owned Development Bank of Kazakhstan issued a RM240mln ringgit-denominated sukuk (USD76mln), marking the first sukuk issuance from a former Soviet state. »

Between 2000 and 2013, emerging and developing Asia grew by an average of 7.9%, while growth in advanced economies averaged just 1.8%. »

The Asian Development Bank published an excellent overview of the Sukuk market scene in Asia.  Asia-Bond-Monitor-March-2014 – Asian Development Bank (5.0 MB) Most computers will open PDF documents automatically, but you may need Adobe Reader »