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World Islamic Banking conference to discuss new growth paradigms for Islamic Finance

17th Annual Conference to attract more than 1,200 industry leaders from over 50 countries

Bahrain: 02 November 2010: As the global Islamic finance industry enters the next phase of growth, more than 1,200 industry leaders, senior decision-makers and key regulators from over 50 countries are set to gather at the 17^th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC 2010). Hosted with the official support of the Central Bank of Bahrain , WIBC 2010 will be held at the Gulf International Convention Centre, Gulf Hotel from the 22^nd to 24^th of November 2010 in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The theme for this year's WIBC, "Building a new growth paradigm - Islamic banking and the new global financial landscape", reflects the future outlook that leading Islamic finance institutions are now adopting as they seek to successfully compete in the new business environment. Discussions at WIBC 2010 will emphasize strategies for ensuring a healthy recovery and rebuilding sustainable growth trajectories for the Islamic finance industry in the new global financial landscape.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Abdul-Kareem Abu Al-Nasr, Chief Executive Officer of the National Commercial Bank ( NCB ) said, "This year's WIBC comes at a crucial time for the international industry as Islamic financial institutions seek to further advance their successful achievements in the new global financial landscape. NCB has been a strong supporter of the WIBC for many years and the Group is delighted to join WIBC 2010 as Platinum Strategic Partners, highlighting our long history of innovation in Islamic finance."

Discussions at WIBC 2010 will emphasize strategies for ensuring a healthy recovery and sustaining growth trajectories for the Islamic finance industry in the new global financial landscape. "The new, improved and upgraded format of this year's WIBC goes beyond the 'conference basics'; not only providing meaningful new research insights but also tackling the big picture industry-changing scenarios through a combination of high-profile plenary sessions and more intimate groupings enabling greater interaction," said David McLean, Managing Director of WIBC 2010.

Speaking and providing regulatory perspectives on strengthening the industry foundations at the inaugural keynote session of this year's conference will be H.E. Rasheed M. Al Maraj, Governor, Central Bank of Bahrain ; H.E. Abdul Qadeer Fitrat, Governor, Central Bank of Afghanistan; and H.E. Khaled Mohammed Al-Aboodi, Chief Executive Officer & General Manager, The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, the private sector arm of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB), Saudi Arabia.

A highlight of WIBC 2010 will be the new innovative Power Debate led by internationally respected CEOs and industry leaders on the new strategies vital to the success of Islamic finance in the new global financial landscape. This dynamic power debate will feature Tirad Mahmoud, Chief Executive Officer, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB); Hussain AlQemzi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Noor Islamic Bank & Noor Investment Group ; Samad Sirohey, Chief Executive Officer, Citi Islamic Investment Bank; Ibrahim Hassan, Chief Executive Officer, Maybank Islamic; and Dr. Salah Addeen Abdulqader Saeed, General Manager - Credit & Risk Management, Bahrain Islamic Bank.

Confirming his participation in the session Hussain AlQemzi, Group Chief Executive Officer, Noor Islamic Bank & Noor Investment Group said, "The World Islamic Banking Conference brings together a unique group of global experts to engage in critical discussions about the most pressing issues today. What emerges is superior insight and inspiring advice about our industry that tends to give every participant a deeper acknowledgement and appreciation for what the future holds. This truly is an invaluable resource for the global industry players."

WIBC 2010 will also feature the exclusive launch of the eagerly anticipated 2010/11 edition of the WIBC Competitiveness Report. Developed in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, the Report now in its 7th annual edition will examine the overall competitiveness of the sector, including its achievements and the challenges it faces; a new focus on the affluent high-net worth segment of Islamic banking; how to measure "real" performance; and the present and future opportunities in the Takaful market.

In addition to an exclusive opening keynote address on catalyzing growth of Islamic finance in Asian markets by Ng Nam Sin, Assistant Governor (Development), Monetary Authority of Singapore, the second day of the conference will feature a specially convened Guru keynote session by world renowned investment leader and emerging markets guru, Mark Mobius, Executive Chairman of Templeton Emerging Markets Group.

As a part of the world comes to the WIBC initiative a leading panel of international experts will converge at the Country Focus Roundtable at WIBC to address how well positioned Islamic banks can explore international growth opportunities in the most dynamically evolving high-growth markets for Islamic finance.

For the first time ever, WIBC 2010 will also feature an exclusive session by Ernst & Young providing a comprehensive update on two of their most significant reports released in 2010 - the Ernst & Young World Takaful Report 2010 and the Ernst & Young Islamic Funds and Investments Report 2010. The sessions, led by Ashar Nazim, Director and Head - Islamic Financial Services Group Advisory Services (IFSG), Ernst & Young Bahrain will further analyze the key findings of the Reports and discuss the latest developments since their original launch.

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© Press Release 2010