23 February 2015
The First session will start in APRIL 2015 in Luxembourg and Belgium.

Following the 2008 subprime crisis, many financial actors were looking for alternatives to supply the market with ethical products and services, linked to tangible assets and to the real economy.

Islamic finance has become an important part of the international financial system and is one of its fastest growing components. Islamic investments and the liquidities available in the Gulf and Asia are boosting this industry.  This segment is growing 50% faster than the entire banking industry in several core-banking markets. Islamic banking assets have exceeded 2 trillion US$.

As the 3rd place in the world for Islamic finance development, Luxembourg's position requires a high level executive training in the sector. Its investment funds industry combined with the financial centre's expertise in Islamic finance make Luxembourg an ideal location for the creation and administration of Sharia-compliant investment vehicles and cross-border distribution of investment products.

At the heart of Europe, Belgium host the most esteemed international companies and institutional head offices. In the last decade, we have observed many actions from Belgian authorities and institutions towards the Gulf, the Mediterranean and Muslim markets (prince economic missions in Qatar, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE ...). The interest for these markets is growing in the Capital of Europe.

Luxembourg and Belgium are profiling themselves to become recognized actors in Islamic finance, funds and the Islamic economy.

Professor and LSM Dean at UCL, M. Michel De Wolf, says:  "The LSM offers world-class courses and highly specialized options based on advanced research. LSM is the business school of the UCL, one of the oldest universities in Europe, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary and multicultural experiences. With the CEMS Master, LSM is offering the best ranked master organized in Belgium, according to the Financial Times. This Islamic Finance Certificate will also participate to our tradition of excellence and ethics.".

Professor Laurent Marlière, ISFIN CEO says: "From a nascent niche, Islamic Finance has become a worldwide phenomenon and a solid pillar of the financial industry. It is growing 50% faster than the entire banking industry in several core-banking markets". He adds: "This innovative and brand new area is lacking competent human talents to structure the demand and offer with a qualitative advisory. This university diploma targets bankers, fund managers, lawyers, accountants, auditors ..."

- The UCL (Université Catholique de Louvain) is one of the oldest and most recognized university in the world. www.uclouvain.be/index.html

- More information: http://www.uclouvain.be/islamic-finance.html

- ISFIN is the world's leading advisory for the Islamic markets present in 75 coutries. http://www.isfin.net  

Contact Information:
Allaa RIDOUAN,
PhD researcher
TEL + (32) 483 427 415                    
AR@isfin.net                                    
www.isfin.net

Michel De Wolf,
Professor and LSM Dean at UCL              
TEL+(32) 10478493                       
Michel.dewolf@uclouvain.be                                

© Press Release 2015