More than a dozen individuals and institutions from the GCC and the wider Middle East were recognised for their leadership roles in Islamic banking and finance at the 7th Global Islamic Finance Awards Ceremony (GIFA Ceremony) held at Astana, Kazakhstan. President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guilleh, was honoured with  the Global Islamic Finance Leadership Award 2017. 

The Emirate of Dubai was honoured with Global Islamic Finance Leadership Award 2017 in the Country Category, for the global strategic vision the emirate has pursued to make Dubai as a Centre of Excellence for Islamic economy. Bahrain was represented by Adnan Yousif, CEO and President of Albaraka Banking Group, who was declared as the Islamic Finance Personality of the Year 2017 for his pan-Islamic leadership role in Islamic banking and finance. This is the top award in the general category and previous winners from the GCC have included the likes of Khaled Al-Aboodi (CEO of ICD), Dr. Jamil El Jaroudi (Former CEO of Bank Nizwa) and Sohail Jaffer (Former Deputy CEO of FWU Group).

Other two prestigious awards – GIFA CEO of the Year 2017 and Islamic Banker of the Year 2017 – were also won by two prominent personalities for the UAE, namely, Jamal Saeed Bin Ghalaita (CEO of Emirates Islamic) and Amr Saad Al Menhali (Head of Islamic Banking at ADCB Islamic Banking), respectively. Wael Al Sharif (CEO of Takaful Emarat) was honoured with GIFA Special Award 2017 for his leadership role in Takaful. Kashif Mohammed Naeem (EVP and Head of Retail Banking, SME and Microfinance at Bank of Khartoum) received GIFA Special Award 2017 for his leadership role in Islamic retail banking. 

Other institutional winners included SEDCO Capital of Saudi Arabia, which was presented with GIFA Market Leadership Award 2017 for Islamic Asset Management.  Bank Nizwa was honoured with Pioneering Islamic Bank Award 2017 for its exceptionally exemplary role in developing Islamic banking in Oman. Best Islamic Fund 2017 award was presented to International Airfinance Corporation for its Aircraft Leasing Islamic Fund (ALIF).

Bader Khalid Al Anzi (CEO of Solidarity Takaful Company) was the proud winner at the awards night. “It is a great honour for me and my company to receive the Best Takaful Company 2017 award at the most prestigious Islamic finance awards programme in the world,” he said after receiving the accolade.

There were 56 awards given in total, and the winners came from diverse backgrounds. GIFA is the only Islamic finance awards programme that honours and celebrates success and contributions of a comprehensive range of individuals and institutions. “We are pleased to be associated with GIFA for last many years, as Path Solutions has won numerous awards over the years,” said Mohamed Kateeb (Chairman of Path Solutions) for winning Best Islamic Finance Technology Provider 2017 award. 

The GIFA coverage is not limited to just hardcore financial institutions. The winners include universities, advisory firms, training providers, rating agencies, multilateral organisations, governments, and numerous other institutions beyond the financial sector.

Other prominent winners included: Oman’s $2 Billion Seven Year Sukuk, ETHIX by ITS as Best Islamic Finance Technology Product 2017, MIRAS by ICD as Best Human Capital Development Programme 2017, and the International Corporation for the Insurance of Investment & Export Credit (ICIEC) which received Global Islamic Export Credit and Political Risk Insurance Award 2017. GIFA Advocacy Award 2017 was presented to S & P Global for its lead role Islamic financial ordination. The award for Most Innovative Islamic Bank 2017 was won by Bank of Khartoum. East Africa Bank won the award as Upcoming Islamic Bank 2017. 

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About Edbiz Corporation:
Edbiz Corporation is a global Islamic finance think tank, headquartered in  London. For more information, please visit: www.edbizconsulting.com. Edbiz Corporation provides multiple services that balance the dual purpose of developing thought leadership in this niche industry and strengthening the Islamic finance capacity for businesses and banks. Its client base is diverse and includes financial institutions, governments, education providers, established businesses and entrepreneurs.

© Press Release 2017