1,000 Islamic finance experts to take part in Bahrain forum

Over 1,000 Islamic banking and finance global industry leaders, policy makers, innovators and stakeholders will converge for a threeday forum in Bahrain in December.

Held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain and the strategic partnership of the Central Bank of Bahrain, the 26th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) will run from December 2 to 4 at the Gulf Hotel.

The largest and most prestigious gathering of Islamic banking and finance leaders is the flagship offering of Middle East Global Advisors (MEGA). The forum will focus on the theme of “Mega trends in banking & finance” in line with its steady vision to serve as a compass for the global Islamic finance and banking industry.

Ehsan Abbas, chairman, Middle East Global Advisors, said: “For over a quarter of a century, WIBC has been the definitive platform for C-level executives to discuss strategies to navigate the myriad complexities and subtle nuances of the global economy – and given the uncertain economic environment that we find ourselves in, these discussions will prove even more critical to better understand the shifting economic, demographical, technological and regulatory landscape.

“2019 marks the 26th edition of the World Islamic Banking Conference – a testament to its continued significance as an indisputable compass for the industry to gather and share critical insights going forward. The conference this year will promote standardization and harmonization the Islamic Finance standards, valuecreation via M&A and consolidation, sizing up the Sukuk market and 360-degree solutions to industry challenges.”

Khalid Hamad AbdulRahman Hamad, executive director banking supervision at the Central Bank of Bahrain, said: “The Central Bank of Bahrain is pleased to be a strategic partner for the 26th edition of the World Islamic Banking Conference. Every year at the WIBC we have addressed the most pressing issues facing the Islamic banking industry. This year’s edition will focus on harmonization of Islamic finance standards, the digital transformation, sustainable finance and M&A and consolidation in the GCC region.