• QInvest’s Alex Armstrong made comments at IFN Global Forum 2014 in Dubai
QInvest’s Head of Financial Institutions & Structured Finance, Alex Armstrong, spoke at the inaugural IFN Global Forum 2014, which took place at the Conrad Hotel, Dubai. Alex was part of the Middle East Market Review panel and discussed how recent Sukuk activity by international issuers indicates that Islamic finance is becoming a more mainstream source of funding.
IFN Global Forum saw industry experts discuss all facets of the global Islamic financial markets, from discussions on the Islamic capital markets to key upcoming investment trends and opportunities.
Alex Armstrong, QInvest’s Head of Financial Institutions & Structured Finance, commented:
“We are seeing strong volumes in global Sukuk activity and QInvest expects 2014 issuance to be greater than last year. With competitive pricing, product innovation and deep liquidity, Islamic finance is becoming an increasingly attractive source of funding for issuers around the world. A number of issuers from outside the Islamic world – including the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the United Kingdom government – have successfully raised funding through Sukuk in recent months and we are expecting others to follow suit. Meanwhile, investor demand for Islamic products is strong and we fully expect demand to exceed supply for some time to come.”
Year to date, QInvest, Qatar's leading investment bank and one of the most prominent Islamic financial institutions in the world, advised on US$3.25 billion of Sukuk transactions which represents approximately 20% of the US Dollar Sukuk market. This includes issuances from the Government of Hong Kong, Goldman Sachs, Kuveyt Turk, Dar Al Arkan, Turkiye Finans and Al Baraka Turk. QInvest has been involved in the Government of Hong Kong’s maiden US$1bn Sukuk and advised Goldman Sachs on its US$500m Sukuk. QInvest is also currently assisting Luxembourg with its debut Euro-denominated Sukuk.
IFN Global Forum was organised by Islamic Finance News in collaboration with the Dubai Economic Council, the Dubai Government and other key regulators.