Kuala Lumpur, 27 May 2013 - The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) is pleased to announce that it will be organising a Seminar on Strategies for the Development of Islamic Capital Markets on 27 June 2013 and a Roundtable on the Development of Islamic Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) on 28 June 2013 in Hong Kong, which will be hosted by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and supported by the Treasury Markets Association.

The one-day Seminar, scheduled on 27 June 2013, is held with the aim to provide a general overview on issues related to the development of Islamic capital markets in light of the current changes in the global financial scene. With growing demand for Islamic capital market products, the Seminar will discuss the current trends, potential and prospects of the Islamic capital markets moving forward. The sessions will bring forth issues such as Sukuk, Islamic collective investment schemes, and strategies for bringing this increasingly important sector of the Islamic financial services industry to the mainstream. The Seminar will benefit participants who wish to deepen their understanding, discuss issues, and share experiences in Islamic capital markets.

The Roundtable on the Development of Islamic REITs, which will be on 28 June 2013, is a landmark event for the IFSB. It will be the first platform organised by the IFSB to specifically discuss matters related to Islamic REITs. In line with the IFSB mandate, the Roundtable will have specific discussions on regulatory and cross-border issues related to the development of Islamic REITs. It also aims to act as a platform to understand the current status of Islamic REITs globally, as well as discuss its prospects and challenges. The Roundtable will also examine the necessary infrastructures to promote the conducive development of this industry segment. 

To ensure constructive discussions, both the Seminar and Roundtable are targeted at participants from both sides of the financial services spectrum - regulatory authorities and policy-makers as well as market players who are involved in the development and offering of the Islamic capital markets and REITs, including those legal and accounting firms, auditors, investment and Takaful professionals. 

Interested participants are welcome to register their attendance to these events at www.ifsb.org. Please contact Mrs. Ida Shafinaz Ab. Malek at ida.shafinaz@ifsb.org for further information on both the Seminar and the Roundtable.

About the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB)
The IFSB is an international standard-setting organisation that promotes and enhances the soundness and stability of the Islamic financial services industry by issuing global prudential standards and guiding principles for the industry, broadly defined to include banking, capital markets and insurance sectors. The IFSB also conducts research and coordinates initiatives on industry-related issues, as well as organises roundtables, seminars and conferences for regulators and industry stakeholders. Towards this end, the IFSB works closely with relevant international, regional and national organisations, research/educational institutions and market players.

The members of the IFSB comprise regulatory and supervisory authorities, international inter-governmental organisations and market players, professional firms and industry associations.

For more information about the IFSB, please visit www.ifsb.org.

About the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is the government authority in Hong Kong responsible for maintaining monetary and banking stability.  Established in 1993, the HKMA has four main functions: maintaining currency stability within the framework of the Linked Exchange Rate system; promoting the stability and integrity of the financial system, including the banking system; helping to maintain Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, including the maintenance and development of Hong Kong's financial infrastructure; and managing the Exchange Fund.  For more information, please visit www.hkma.gov.hk.

About the Treasury Markets Association
The Treasury Markets Association (TMA) was set up in November 2005 to promote co-operation among market participants with a view to raising the professionalism of practitioners and the overall competitiveness of the treasury markets in Hong Kong.  Specifically, the TMA develops and promotes appropriate codes and standards for treasury markets; promotes market and product development; provides training and accreditation of relevant qualifications; and raises the profile of Hong Kong as the preferred hub for treasury market businesses in the region.  The TMA consists of both individual and institutional members from the foreign exchange and money markets, debt, derivatives and other treasury markets.  For more information, please visit www.tma.org.hk.

© Press Release 2013