World Finance magazine has announced the winners of its Islamic Finance Awards 2014. The publication notes that the Islamic finance market is forecast to tip US$2.6 trillion by 2017 and that some believe it will already have reached US$2 trillion by the end of 2014.
"While sources in the
Middle East have led the bulk of the boom so far, non-Muslim consumers
are seeing it as an increasingly attractive option in the post-crisis
world, and, as a result, Muslim consumers are placing far more faith in
the sector than ever before," the publication said in a statement.
Country winners for Best Islamic Bank in the Middle East and in Asia include: Bahrain Islamic Bank, Al-Arafah Islami Bank in Bangladesh, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam, Bank Syariah Mandiri of Indonesia, Jordan Islamic Bank, Kazakhstan's Al Hilal Islamic Bank, Kuwait International Bank, Al Baraka Bank Lebanon, CIMB Islamic Bank in Malaysia, Bank Nizwa of Oman, Pakistan's Burj Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Alinma Bank in Saudi Arabia, and Dubai Islamic Bank of the UAE.
The Islamic Banker of the Year went to Ahmad Meshari Muhaidi, Acting CEO at Qatar First Bank, while Musa Shihadeh, Vice Chairman, General Manager at Jordan Islamic Bank, was recognised for Business Leadership and Outstanding Contribution to Islamic Finance.
Qatar Islamic Bank also picked up the Best SME Islamic Finance Provider award, while KFH Capital of Kuwait (formally the Muthanna Investment Company) received the Best Islamic Asset Management Company and Best Islamic Finance Advisory Firm awards.
The full list of Islamic Finance award winners can be viewed here.