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Islamic banking conference to focus on fintech and sustainable finance

14 Aug 2018, 02:39 pm
Financial Nigeria
Islamic banking conference to focus on fintech and sustainable finance

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The 25th edition of the WIBC will take place in Bahrain on November 26-28.


Middle East Global Advisors (MEGA), a financial intelligence platform facilitating the development of knowledge-based economies in the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) markets, has announced that the 25th edition of the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) will take place at the ART Rotana Hotel in Amwaj Islands in Bahrain on November 26-28.

The three-day conference will be held under the patronage of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, and the strategic partnership of the Central Bank of Bahrain. The country has been the host-nation of WIBC for the past 25 years.

In line with its vision to serve as a compass for the global Islamic finance and banking industry, the conference is themed: Islamic Finance and Sustainable Economic Growth in the Age of Disruption. According to a statement released on Monday by MEGA, over 1,200 global industry powerhouses, policymakers, innovators and stakeholders are expected to converge for the three-day forum.

“For over 25 years, WIBC has helped forge a robust ecosystem to widen the scope of Islamic finance to meet new realities, whilst staying true to its ideals,” Chairman of MEGA, Ehsan Abbas, said. “To assess recovery of economic growth, WIBC will seek to address the optimal ways that policymakers can support long-term robust growth by preparing to cope with possible bouts of financial market volatility.”

His Excellency Rasheed Mohammed Al Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of Bahrain, will deliver the keynote address at the 25th WIBC, focusing on the vision to further the ecosystem for Islamic finance entities to thrive and grow globally.

“The Central Bank of Bahrain is pleased to be a strategic partner for the 25th edition of the World Islamic Banking Conference to be held in Bahrain,” said the Executive Director – Banking Supervision, Central Bank of Bahrain, Khalid Hamad Abdul-Rahman Hamad. “Key areas of focus will be new initiatives in Digital Banking, Economic Growth & Sustainable Finance, and country specific showcases.”

Other confirmed partners of the 2018 WIBC 2018 include: Casablanca Finance City Authority, Ithmaar Bank, Khaleeji Commercial Bank (KHCB), World Gold Council, First Energy Bank, the Perth Mint, Eiger Trading, Bahrain Islamic Bank (BisB) and Fitch Ratings.

Last year’s edition of WIBC featured keynote speeches by Alex Tapscott, CEO NextBlock Global and Co-Author of Blockchain Revolution; and Xen Baynham-Herd, Head of Strategy and Lead Economist at Blockchain. Baynham-Herd spoke about embracing new technologies like blockchain in the changing face of financial services due to the advent of digitization. This year’s conference will also see leading technology experts deliberate as part of an exclusive Fintech Panel.


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