A traditional route to charity with Qalby Etmaan

The Qalby Etmaan programme has launched clay donation boxes for its eighth season in line with the national Year of Community. 

The boxes are made by Emirati potters and artisans locally, and packaged in environmentally-friendly burlap and recycled paper. Packed by humanitarian institutions and volunteers, such as the UAE Red Crescent, Zayed Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, and Khalifa Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works, each box will be delivered at no cost.

This initiative aims instil the concept of goodness is within everyone's reach, simplifying charitable acts and emphasizing the importance of everyone's contribution to the community, while highlighting the profound impact their donations can have. The donation boxes also seek to revive tradition in the age of digitisation, especially with the decline in the use of cash.

Funds collected will be used to plant 100,000 date palms, with date sales directly supporting orphaned children in Gaza over the long-term.

Source: Qalby Etmaan. A clay donation box.

The boxes will be broken open on March 25, coinciding with the 25th day of Ramadhan, and the clay will be mixed with soil and used to improve soil quality and fertility.

Over 5,000 Clay donation boxes will be distributed, with 10 boxes containing free tickets for winners to attend the filming of the next season of the Qalby Etmaan program.

Details

The clay donation boxes will be available at multiple distribution points, including the Qalby Etmaan online store, Hamad Store, ADNOC fuel stations, and UAE Red Crescent kiosks in shopping malls.

To contribute to Qalby Etmaan projects and initiatives, visit https://www.emiratesrc.ae/Ghaith/Home.aspx

The Qalby Etmaan programme is available on YouTube, Abu Dhabi TV, and the Abu Dhabi TV app at:
7 pm UAE time | 6 pm KSA time

GAC completes Ramadhan charity drive in Dubai

GAC, known for its high-performance vehicles, has hosted a charity initiative in Dubai during Ramadhan. The company distributed 300 food boxes to local labour groups, reflecting the brand's commitment to giving back to society and strengthening bonds with the region's consumers. 

Two GAC M8 and two GAC GS8 vehicles provided transportation to key locations. GAC representatives distributed 30 food boxes to mosque workers at a local mosque, while 270 food boxes were given to labourers at a dormitory. 

 

Source: GAC. GAC strengthens community bonds with Ramadhan charity drive in Dubai. Wang Shunsheng, VP, GAC International, joined volunteers at the dealership to pack food boxes, reinforcing the company's hands-on approach to community integration. 

Agoda: Nearly 80% increase in accommodation searches

As the Hari Raya (Eid al Fitr) holiday approaches, digital travel platform Agoda has seen* an almost 80% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from travellers in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore for this year's festive period. This increase reflects a growing interest in travel, with travellers actively planning their getaways.

Hari Raya or marks the end of Ramadhan, a month of fasting, reflection, and community for Muslims worldwide. It is a time for joy, connection, and celebration. For many, it's also the perfect opportunity to travel, whether to visit loved ones, return to hometowns, or to enjoy a holiday after a month of spiritual focus.

Travellers are showing an interest in exploring beyond their immediate regions, Agoda said. Thailand and Japan lead the way as the top two most-searched destinations among travellers from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, suggesting a desire for diverse cultural experiences during the festive break. Mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan complete the top five.

When looking at the city level, Bangkok is the most-searched destination, followed by Tokyo and Seoul. Hong Kong secured the fourth spot, while Taipei rounds out the top five.

Gede Gunawan, Senior Country Director Indonesia at Agoda said: "Hari Raya is a time when travel becomes an important part of the celebration. It's great to see people looking forward to reconnecting with family, exploring new destinations, or simply taking a well-deserved break. The increase in searches compared to the previous month reflects the anticipation for travel and the desire to use the holiday for travel opportunities. 

"At Agoda, we aim to ensure that wherever travellers choose to go, they can find the right accommodation at an affordable price, with a seamless booking experience."

*The data provided is based on Agoda accommodation searches for check-ins between 29 March and 1 April 2025. The comparison is between searches conducted from 1-25 January 2025 and 1-25 February 2025.

Celebrate iftar at the Grand Hyatt Singapore

Source: The Grand Hyatt Singapore. A selection
of dishes from the Ramadan buffet.

The Grand Hyatt Singapore welcomes guests to celebrate the spirit of togetherness with an iftar buffet at StraitsKitchen, Singapore’s first halal-certified buffet restaurant in a five-star hotel on Orchard Road.

Under the guidance of Chef Mohamad Mohamed Abdelmoety Ahmed, Chef Khairul Akmal Bin Zakaria, and Chef de Cuisine Nelson Wong, StraitsKitchen’s culinary team has prepared an extraordinary Ramadhan experience. 

Till 31 March 2025, StraitsKitchen will offer a buffet that brings together authentic Singaporean flavours with a touch of Middle Eastern cuisine. 

The dining experience begins with a selection of traditional mezze (appetisers), including smoky baba ghanoush and silky hummus, served with warm pita bread. 

Beyond the appetisers, guests can enjoy a variety of live stations and regional specialties celebrating both Malay and Arabic traditions. In addition to the Malay barbecue station serving chicken, beef, and mutton satay accompanied by warm peanut sauce and traditional ketupat (rice cakes), guests can enjoy Middle Eastern street food at its finest with the shawarma station, serving freshly-carved chicken shawarma wrapped in warm pita bread, topped with lettuce, onions, and tahini sauce.

Guests craving hearty mains can enjoy ayam buah keluak, a rich Peranakan specialty: braised chicken cooked with nutty buah keluak*, and beef rendang, a slow-cooked, coconut-infused beef dish fragrant with lemongrass and other aromatics. Seafood lovers will be delighted with ikan bakar, where sustainable barramundi is grilled to perfection, then served in a banana leaf and slathered with sambal. Udang Belado, a fiery tiger prawn stir-fry coated in homemade belado sauce, is another option.

To complete the feast, guests can indulge in handcrafted desserts, from flaky baklava filled with crushed nuts and drizzled with Arabic syrup, to dense, honey-soaked basbousa topped with toasted hazelnuts. The buffet also offers traditional Southeast Asian desserts, including pulut hitam (black glutinous rice in coconut milk), goreng pisang (crispy banana fritters), and bubur cha cha (a creamy coconut dessert with yam, sweet potato, and sago pearls). Sweet treats like chendol as well as an assortment of durian mochi and Nonya kueh are also on the menu.

In the evening, the Ramadan Dinner buffet offers a spread of dinner exclusives. In addition to the core mezze offerings of hummus and baba ghanoush, the dinner spread presents tabbouleh, fattoush, tzatziki, feta cheese salad, and warak enab (grape leaves stuffed with Arabic-spiced rice and raisins). The seafood on ice station adds on slipper lobster, mussels, and clams in the evenings to accompany the black tiger prawns available throughout the day.

Dishes like lamb mandi (fragrant steamed basmati rice with saffron and slow-cooked lamb, topped with pine nuts and coriander) and sayaduyah rice (صيادية, an Arabic dish of jasmine rice cooked with shrimp, barramundi, and spices) offer a taste of the Middle East’s vibrant culinary heritage, and guests can savour the kambing qorma (a rich, slow-braised lamb dish infused with creamy cashew nut sauce and aromatic bell peppers) and mahshi felfel (capsicum stuffed with spiced rice, dill, tomato, and minced beef). 

The dinner buffet is rounded out with comforting soups, including sup tulang merah, a robust, red-hued mutton bone stew served with crusty baguette, and sup ayam Palembang, a delicate kampung chicken soup with tofu and fresh basil leaves.

To end the meal on a sweet note, guests can visit the Date Bazaar, featuring an exquisite selection of premium dates from across the Middle East and North Africa, including the rich, caramel-like Ajwa and the chewy and flavourful Mabroum from KSA, the prized Medjoul from Jordan and Palestine, and the delicate Deglet Nour from Tunisia. Complementing these are natural dried figs and apricots from Turkey. Guests can also enjoy warm treats such as the aish el saraya (عيش السرايا), a classic Arabic bread pudding perfumed with fragrant syrup, as well as ladida coconut, a confection blended with mixed dried fruits.

StraitsKitchen also invites guests who are not fasting to experience the lunch buffet, which features a selection of local and regional favourites from Singapore’s Malay, Chinese, Indian, and Peranakan cuisine, complemented by a touch of Middle Eastern flair.

Details

Ramadan Buffet at StraitsKitchen
2 March – 31 March 2025 (including Hari Raya eve and Hari Raya Puasa (Eid))

S$68++ (lunch) | S$98++ (dinner)
All prices are subject to 10% service charge and 9% goods and service tax.

To reserve a table, please visit https://www.singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com/straitskitchen. 

There is a dedicated prayer room which is segregated for privacy and fully air-conditioned, together with a clean ablution area, prayer mats, slippers, and telekung (prayer garments) for added convenience. Guests will also find chairs for those who require seated prayer, as well as Qurans available for use. Guests who wish to access the prayer room may approach any of Grand Hyatt Singapore’s associates for assistance. 

Hashtags: #GrandHyattSingapore, #GoGrand

*Buah keluak comes from the Pangium tree. It is fermented before cooking.

Changing perceptions about KSA as a destination

Source: YouGov website. Statistics on public opinion about KSA.

Recent data from YouGov, based on surveys conducted across 17 international markets*, has revealed that half of all global respondents have seen a change in their perception of KSA as a travel destination over the past twelve months. These respondents are divided, with 15% reporting a more positive view and 15% a more negative one.

Globally however, Eastern countries generally favour tourism to KSA more than Western countries, YouGov said. Among Asians, perceptions of the country as a travel destination have become more positive in the past twelve months. Notably, 42% of Indians, 37% of Indonesians, and 31% of Hong Kong residents reported that their perception of KSA has become more positive, compared to 54% of UAE residents, where the positive sentiment is the strongest. In contrast, many Westerners have not changed their view.

Globally, opinions on travelling to KSA are divided, with nearly half stating they have neither considered visiting in the past nor thought of doing so in the future.

Compared to the past 12 months, respondents worldwide are more likely to travel to KSA for leisure rather than for business. Residents of the UAE expressed the strongest interest in both types of travel, though with a stronger inclination towards leisure. Indians and Indonesians also showed significant interest, primarily for leisure travel.

YouGov data revealed that cultural tourism is expected to be the top factor influencing future visits to KSA, as cited by 19% of global consumers. This appeal is particularly strong among Hong Kong residents (39%), Indians (34%), UAE residents and Mexicans (31% each). Other reasons for travelling to KSA include luxury getaways, religious tourism, and adventure activities (11% each). Indonesians, in particular, are highly motivated to visit for religious purposes (60%), surpassing even UAE residents (45%).

The country's recent investments in sports infrastructure and events appear to have generated interest, with nearly one in ten global consumers (8%) indicating they are likely to visit for sporting events. The highest interest is seen in Hong Kong, where 23% consider it a key attraction.

*YouGov Surveys: Serviced provides quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. The data is based on surveys of adults aged 18+ years in 17 markets with sample sizes varying between 510 and 2,011 for each market. All surveys were conducted online during November 2024. Data from each market uses a nationally representative sample apart from Mexico and India, which use urban representative samples, and Indonesia and Hong Kong, which use online representative samples.

Wego to work with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority

Wego, the travel app and the online travel marketplace, has partnered with Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) to spotlight the Kingdom of Bahrain as a premier travel destination, highlighting its unique cultural heritage, top attractions, and tourism innovations to global travellers. This partnership comes as Bahrain is investing in its tourism infrastructure with the launch of new luxury resorts, event venues, and expanded cultural festivals.

Bahrain, known as the Pearl of the Gulf, is an archipelago offering history, luxury, and modernity. Wego will leverage its platform to highlight Bahrain's landmarks, including the UNESCO-listed Qal'at al-Bahrain (قلعة البحرين, Bahrain Fort), the Bab Al Bahrain Souq (باب البحرين), the Al Dar Islands (الجزر الدار), and the world-famous Bahrain International Circuit, home of Formula 1 racing.

Source: Wego. View of Bahrain.

Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego said: "We are thrilled to collaborate with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority to showcase the Kingdom's unique offerings to our global audience. Bahrain is a treasure trove of cultural, natural, and modern attractions, and through this partnership, we aim to inspire travellers to explore this dynamic destination."

Travellers will also be introduced to Bahrain's tourism initiatives, such as virtual tours and smart city solutions enhancing visitor convenience. Additionally, Bahrain's commitment to ecotourism is evident in its focus on preserving natural habitats like the unique Hawar Islands (جزر حوار) and offering experiences such as pearl diving and marine conservation tours.

Maryam Toorani Director, Marketing and Promotion at Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority added: "This partnership with Wego allows us to reach thousands of travellers and highlight Bahrain as a must-visit destination. From its historical landmarks to its forward-thinking tourism innovations, Bahrain has something to offer every type of traveller."

Best restaurant in the UAE, best restaurant in MENA 2025: Orfali Bros Bistro

The 4th Middle East & North Africa's 50 Best Restaurants awards, hosted in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT), has crowned Orfali Bros Bistro No. 1 for the 3rd consecutive year.

Founded in 2021 by Syrian-born brothers Mohammad, Wassim, and Omar Orfali, Orfali Bros Bistro - which also has a 2024 Michelin star - blends Aleppian heritage with Dubai's dynamic dining scene. The venue was ranked 46th on The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2023. 

Source: 50 Best via PRNewsfoto: Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 unveiled with Orfali Bros Bistro as the reigning No. 1 restaurant in the region.

Its web page notes: "We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of cooking to discover new flavours and sensations to our food and pastries...Some of our dishes and desserts we have made them again and again, food that we love to eat. We serve them because they link us to our past and remind us of who we are."

Trèsind Studio in Dubai retained its No. 2 spot, followed by Dubai's Kinoya at No. 3.

William Drew, Director of Content for MENA's 50 Best Restaurants said of Orfali Bros Bistro: "Its enduring success is a testament to the talent and passion of the Orfali brothers, whose dedication has earned them a loyal following both locally and internationally. We are also excited to see restaurants from 11 cities represented on this year's list, showcasing the rich variety of cuisines across the region."

- Omar Shihab of Boca won the Icon Award while Boca received the Sustainable Restaurant Award

- Tala Bashmi was recognised as the Estrella Damm N.A. Chefs' Choice 

- Carmen Rueda Hernandez claimed the Middle East & North Africa's Best Pastry Chef Award

- Row on 45 in Dubai was named the Highest Climber, rising 24 spots to No. 17

- Dara Dining by Sara Aqel in Amman, No. 18, also received the Highest New Entry Award.

Details

Browse the list at https://www.theworlds50best.com/mena/en/lists/1-50

2025 Islamic Arts Biennale is accepting visitors

Source: Image by Marco Cappelletti, courtesy of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation. View of the outdoor exhibition spaces at the 2025 Islamic Arts Biennale.

The 2nd Islamic Arts Biennale, titled And All That Is In Between, has opened in Jeddah.

The Islamic Arts Biennale is the world's only biennial exhibition dedicated to the arts of Islamic civilisation. The global project highlights the contemporary relevance of tradition through the presence of historical objects and new artistic commissions. By juxtaposing historical objects from Islamic cultures with contemporary art, the Biennale explores how faith is experienced, expressed, and celebrated through feeling, thinking, and making.

The 2025 edition of the Biennale brings together loans from over 30 of the world's leading institutions, including the Vatican Apostolic Library (Vatican City), the Louvre Museum (Paris), and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London), as well as collections devoted specifically to Islamic arts and cultures, such as the Ahmed Baba Institute of Higher Learning and Islamic Research (Timbuktu), the Museum of Islamic Art (Doha), and the Manuscript Institution of Türkiye (Istanbul). 

Additionally, the Biennale has partnered with institutions from across KSA, offering visitors a chance to see objects and works of art from Makkah and Madinah.

The show spans five exhibition halls and outdoor areas with 100,000 sq m of exhibition space, and Opresents more than 500 objects in dialogue with contemporary artworks. Over 30 artists from KSA, the wider Gulf region, and around the world are represented. Of note is the first-ever display of the entire kiswah—the cloth that covers the Ka'aba (كسوة الكعبة)—outside of Makkah.

Details

The Islamic Arts Biennale takes place in Jeddah at the Western Hajj Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport. The exhibition ends May 25, 2025.

IFAT to open in KSA in 2026

Messe München will be holding its first-ever trade fair in KSA in 2026 with IFAT, the trade fair for environmental technologies. A memorandum of understanding was signed in late January with the National Center for Waste Management (MWAN) in KSA.

The trade fair, the 13th in the IFAT stable, will be held at the Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center from January 26 to 28, 2026, and will bring together the key players in waste, water and various environmental technologies from the Middle East and North Africa region. 

"Strong and successful international business also secures the economic future of our trade fairs in Munich," explained Messe München Co-CEOs Stefan Rummel and Dr Reinhard Pfeiffer. 

"We see great potential in Saudi Arabia and are looking forward to the first IFAT in the Middle East."

The trade fair is an important part of the KSA government's Vision 2030 programme, through which it is investing more heavily in the sustainable development of the economy. This development offers great growth potential for environmental technologies and the circular economy.

Goals include 91% source segregated waste, 79% of waste prepared for recycling and 90% diversion from landfills by 2040. For the water sector, desalinating seawater, expanding water networks and building wastewater treatment plants and associated infrastructure to meet national needs are all being accomplished while ensuring the sustainable extraction and consumption of this valuable resource, and protecting the natural environment of the Kingdom.

Frozen yogurt brand TCBY signs new Qatar agreement

TCBY, the frozen yogurt brand, has announced a new multi-unit franchise development agreement with Sterling Restaurants, a subsidiary of the Al Muftah Group.

The company has over four decades of experience managing TCBY locations in Qatar and deep ties to the region's business landscape, while Al Muftah Group has been a cornerstone of Qatar's economy for over 60 years. 

Under the agreement, Sterling Restaurants plans to open more than 10 new TCBY locations across Qatar within the next five years. While this agreement currently focuses on TCBY, there is potential to introduce TCBY's sister brand, Mrs. Fields Cookies, in the future. 

Initial stores are slated for high-profile areas in prominent malls, with the first opening anticipated in 2025. 

TCBY, under Famous Brands International, is owned by Pearl Street Equity, a US-based single-family office.

Angel Yeast boosts yeast protein production

Source: Angel Yeast. Angel Yeast is boosting yeast protein production to meet a global demand for alternative protein foods.

Angel Yeast, a global yeast manufacturer, has officially topped out its main plant for industrial yeast protein production at Baiyang Yichang. The plant is expected to achieve an annual output of 11,000 tons, a milestone of Angel Yeast's sustainable protein development strategy, in 2025.

According to the company, traditional protein production, from cereal and legume cultivation to dairy farming, is time-consuming and may struggle to meet future demands for quantity, quality, and sustainable supply. Yeast protein also boasts significant environmental advantages by effectively lowering dependence on land and water resources and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon dioxide emissions associated with producing yeast protein are approximately 1/20 of those from animal protein, Angel Yeast said.

Angel Yeast offers a large-scale, low-cost, and high-quality protein production method, taking hours to extract proteins from yeast. The resulting protein is called AngeoPro, and can be used for protein bars, high-protein cereals and chips, as well as yeast protein powder, cookies and alternative meats. Angel Yeast's AngeoPro can already be found in a vegan protein bar brand in India, the company shared.

"AngeoPro has redefined 'future protein', boasting 80% higher protein content and a 96% protein utilisation rate that surpasses nearly all plant-based proteins. It also provides the nine essential amino acids needed by the human body which account for 47% of total amino acids, while in comparison whey protein is 46% essential amino acids, while plant proteins are usually only 35 to 40%, making AngeoPro yeast protein a nutritionally-advantaged and highly-efficient source of high-quality protein," said Zhang Yan, Assistant GM of Angel Yeast and Dean of the Angel Yeast Research Institute.

Bruce Friedrich, founder and CEO of Good Food Institute, recently spoke at the The Asia-Pacific Agri-Food Innovation Summit in Singapore, where he noted that the Asia-Pacific region's demand for meat is expected to account for 50% of the global total by 2050. He compared alt protein development to that of solar and electric vehicles a decade ago, which was not seen as a viable choice of energy transformation at that time but is now mainstream.

"Looking forward, Angel Yeast will continue to increase our investment in the R&D of yeast proteins, improve production technologies and expand fields of expansion, and contribute to building a sustainable future for all," said Zhang.

Sungrow, Khalifa University unveil a path to a clean energy future

Sungrow, the global photovoltaic (PV) inverter and energy storage system provider, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, a research-intensive university in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to collaborate on advancing region-specific research and innovation to tackle climate change, promote energy diversification, and support economic sustainability. The strategic partnership is expected to pave the way for groundbreaking advancements in the UAE's renewable energy sector.

Source: Sungrow. VIPs pose for a picture after signing the MoU. The MoU was signed by HE Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University (left), and Thompson Meng, VP of Sungrow PV & Storage BG (right).

Sungrow specialises in solar inverters and battery energy storage systems (BESS), and has a local presence in the UAE.

HE Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, said: "The MoU with Sungrow reflects Khalifa University's dedication to aligning with the objectives of the UAE's Energy Strategy 2050, which targets an energy mix of 44% clean energy, 38% gas, and 12% clean coal. In order to achieve such targets, we aim to help offer transformative solutions from our top-of-the-range academics and researchers with their expertise. 

"We believe this MoU with Sungrow will pave the way for contributing to the UAE's energy objectives and deliver effective innovations through the synergy created from this collaboration."

Thompson Meng, VP, Sungrow PV & Storage BG, said: "Our cooperation with Khalifa University is of great significance to Sungrow. Guided by our mission Clean power for all, we are eager to contribute to the transition to clean energy and enhance power grid support in this region. We can plan a greater blueprint together by collaborating with Khalifa University!"

Under the terms of the MoU, Sungrow and Khalifa University will conduct advanced system innovation development and solution performance optimisation under GCC climate conditions. The partnership will include:

• Joint experiments and prototype development.
• Exploration of sponsorship and collaboration opportunities with additional stakeholders.
• Establishment of research and testing facilities.

Sungrow has already visited Khalifa University's Advanced Power and Energy Center (APEC) and expressed an interest in collaboration on some of the ongoing research projects.

Webull Securities Malaysia launches Islamic banking channel

Webull Securities Malaysia, a Webull subsidiary, has launched of an Islamic banking channel. This new feature offers local investors the flexibility to choose to fund their Webull trading accounts via an Islamic bank or a conventional bank, making Webull Malaysia the first fully online retail brokerage platform in the country to offer such a service.

The Webull digital investment platform has over 40 M downloads globally. The dual banking gateway provides a flexible currency exchange and deposit system. For those seeking to fund their trading accounts with shari'ah-compliant funding options, this new feature, together with zero deposit fees, interest-free and a profit-sharing based banking facility, will enhance their overall trading experience, Webull Malaysia said.

Webull Malaysia's new Islamic banking channel aims to cater to local investors who are looking to invest in shari'ah-compliant equities and exchange traded funds (ETFs) across both the Malaysian and US stock markets. It complements an existing shari'ah indicator for US stocks and ETFs.

Kenneth Chan, CEO, Webull Malaysia said: "We are proud to be the first fully online retail brokerage platform in Malaysia to offer local investors the flexibility to fund their trading accounts with an Islamic bank. The introduction of the Islamic banking channel, along with improvements to the shari'ah stock screener, enables investors to fund their trading accounts in a way that best aligns with their investment needs and principles. By offering local investors the option to choose between Islamic and conventional bank funding for their Webull accounts, we aim to deliver inclusive, seamless and accessible trading experiences for all investors.

"We are also committed to enhancing the experience of local investors by offering a fully-localised version of the Webull MY trading app. This feature allows users to translate all content - from portfolio displays to the latest local and international news, as well as the educational materials provided - into Bahasa Melayu, ensuring an accessible and tailored experience for our Malaysian users. We are proud to support the needs of Malaysia's investment community and remain committed to developing innovative products that enhance convenience and accessibility for investors."

With the new Islamic banking channel, local investors can choose to fund their trading account with an Islamic bank in Malaysia. Local investors funding their trading account with an Islamic bank will be part of a profit-sharing based banking facility.