Islamic finance can complement shift towards sustainable and responsible investments

Source: Securities Industry Development Corporation. Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin,
Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Business Group,
Securities Commission presenting his opening remarks
at the Islamic Markets Programme 2014.

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) and its training and development arm, the Securities Industry Development Corporation (SIDC), hosted the 9th Annual Islamic Markets Programme (IMP) themed 'Strengthening the Wellbeing of Societies' from 11 to 14 August 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and saw 48 Islamic finance regulators, experts and practitioners from eight countries discuss the evolving role of Islamic finance in enhancing the wellbeing of societies and what it will take to ensure sustainable development of global Islamic finance. 

Speaking at the opening of the programme, Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin, Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market Business Group at the SC said, “The Islamic capital market may seek to capitalise on a growing shift in preference especially in the developed markets towards sustainable and responsible investments, or SRI. 

"Islamic finance and SRI share similar underlying principles which suggest that the current significant growth of the SRI market can also potentially benefit the Islamic finance industry. The greater awareness as well as demand for social responsibility in conducting business is driving the growth of the SRI segment, and Islamic finance - which places similarly strong emphasis on preserving commercial and social balance - can offer a distinctive value proposition for global investors.”

The IMP is an established annual international platform for global subject matter experts, regulators and industry players to share information and insights on Islamic finance topics ranging from product innovation, human capital development and interpretation of shari'ah principles to issues of ethics and governance. 

First organised in 2006 with the objective of developing a talent pool and promoting knowledge sharing in the Islamic capital market, the IMP has hosted 401 participants from 38 countries to date and is an integral part of Malaysia’s strategy to become a recognised Islamic financial centre of excellence. This year’s event welcomed the first participants from Kuwait, Oman and Russia.