Qatar’s leading Investment Bank, participated in Islamic Finance News (IFN) Europe 2011, the largest annual event in Europe which brought together more than 650 high-level delegates to participate in the newly introduced unique concept “The Issuers & Investors concept” designed by IFN.
The Issuers & Investors concept will see the first day focusing on and targeted towards the issuer community, whilst the second day will be for the investors. Two very separate and
distinct days ensuring nobody need attend more than one day.
Following the phenomenal success of the annual IFN Asia Forum, which celebrated its 5th anniversary in 2010, the IFN Forum concept is now taking its first step into Europe.
The Forum will include sessions covering matters including:
- Managing Islamic Investment & Wealth Today
- Sukuk as Part of a Global Portfolio Allocation Strategy
- Islamic Investment and Wealth Management and Structured Products Trends and Strategies for a New Business Environment
- The Development and Use of Islamic Liquidity Management Tools
- The Growth and Development of Islamic Equity, Equity Linked Products, Derivatives and Treasury Instruments
QInvest’s Head of Legal & Sharia'a Affairs, and secretary to the board of Directors, Mr. Bernard Barbour, participated in the panel discussion covering matters related to “The role of regulation and the development of effective investor protection in the UK and Europe”, “Islamic finance and dispute resolution under civil law jurisdictions” and “Examining dispute resolution in Islamic finance and investment”.
“Our participation in internationally recognized industry related forums expresses our commitment to Qatar’s National Vision 2030 through contributing to the development of the Islamic financial services industry in Qatar and across the region” commented Mr. Bernard Barbour on his participation as a panelist.
He added: “Such efforts are in line with our strategic direction as our team of talented experts share their experience with industry professionals and practitioners aiming to maintain consistent development and face challenges for a solid and sustainable economy”.
As part of its commitment to further develop the industry in Qatar and the region, QInvest’s participation came through sharing the firm’s knowledge and experience in the MENA region and selected countries in Europe, Asia and South East Asia. Barbour addressed the audience talking about the “Potential Conflicts of Law and Sharia’a” highlighting matters related to the “Enforcement of Islamic financial contracts under civil law jurisdictions”.
“Islamic Finance News Forum in Europe is an assembly for well recognized institutions and industry decision makers. Being Qatar’s leading Investment Bank, we believe in sharing our experience, not only in product development and innovation, but also in issues related to legal consistency, accounting standards and adequate regulatory framework” said Mr. Bernard Barbour.
IFN Europe 2011 brought together high level participants including governors of central banks and other industry regulators, Islamic and commercial banking leaders, fund managers, Sharia’a and legal experts, and consultants; all came to share their experience and expertise in Europe’s largest annual event. Among the forum’s distinguished speakers:
- Humphrey Percy - Chief Executive Officer, Bank of London and the Middle East
- Fares Mourad - Managing Director, Sarasin Bank
- Michael Clark - Chief Executive Officer, QIB UK
- Germain Birgen - Managing Director & Global Head, HSBC Amanah Securities Services
- Geert Bossuyt - Chief Executive Officer, Dar Al Istithmar
- Rafael Dalmau - Global Head of Shariah Compliant Management (Sukuk), BNP Paribas
- Stefan Wasilewski - Chief Executive Officer, FinaXiom
- Datuk Noripah Kamso - Chief Executive Officer, CIMB-Principal Islamic Asset Management
- Omar Shaikh - Executive Board Member, Islamic Finance Council (IFC) UK
- Gillian Walmsley - Head of Fixed Income Products , London Stock Exchange
- M Fahad Mehboob - Relationship Director - Islamic Finance, Europe Arab Bank
- Bernard Barbour - Head of Legal & Sharia'a Affairs, QInvest
- Dr. Johannes Engels - Senior Advisor, Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin)
- Mohamed Donia - Chief Executive Officer, IdealRatings
- Ahmad Chaudry - Head of Investment Solutions, RBS Global Banking & Markets
- Patrick Georg - General Manager, LuxCSD
- Stella Cox - Managing Director, DDCAP Limited
- Eldred Buck - Managing Director, Eiger Trading