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Qatar Charity CEO Mr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Kuwari and Silatech CEO Dr. Tarik M. Yousef signed an agreement committing the two organizations to work jointly to support young Arab entrepreneurs through Silatech’s Narwi micro-giving portal. The agreement follows the 2013 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in technology, fund-raising and technical assistance. “Narwi” (narwi.com) will allow visitors to the site to directly contribute toward financing the young Arab entrepreneur of their choice in countries including Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Yemen and Somalia. Funds on Narwi are given as revolving donations, so that when the entrepreneur repays the original loan, the donation moves on to support others as well.

Emirates Islamic recently held interactive sessions at five schools in Dubai aimed at teaching children the importance of savings. The initiative, in partnership with Dubai Educational Zone (DEZ), is part of Emirates Islamic’s strategy to instil a savings culture in the community, and in particular create awareness amongst youth on the importance of savings. The bank plans to visit several other schools across the seven emirates to spread awareness in the coming months. Last year, Emirates Islamic created a special ‘Child Savings Account,’ to promote a savings habit for youngsters. The account is free for children and includes a hassala, the traditional Emirati savings pot, and a complimentary pre-paid card with Dhs100 credit.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith on Thursday urged Bangladesh’s banking sector to spend more from their corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds on the education sector. Appreciating Shahjalal Islami Bank (SIBL) and Dutch-Bangla Bank for their CSR contributions to the education sector, the Finance Minister said these two banks believe that education has been the most contributory element to human development. He was speaking at a function arranged marking the distribution of scholarships by the SIBL at the city’s Officers Club. At the function, some 500 students from across the country received scholarships from the SIBL. Muhith also appreciated the Bangladesh Bank governor for his campaign to encourage banks to spend more on their CSR activities.

Egypt said on Sunday it expected to receive around $425 million in funding from the Islamic Development Bank to develop an oil refinery in Assiut and an airport in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The first agreement is for $198 million earmarked for the refinery. A further $226.8 million (not $8.23 million) will go towards the first phase of the Sharm el-Sheikh airport project. Egypt has requested a further $223.2 million for the second phase of the project. The Islamic Development Bank made financing contributions worth about $1.85 billion in Egypt between July 2013 and August 2014. The country will also seek external sources of funding for other development projects.

The Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) recently concluded a thematic review of the corporate governance of firms licensed to provide financial services in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The review focussed on twelve themes fundamental to good corporate governance including management structures and practices, systems and controls, internal audit and management information flows. This review is the first full scale corporate governance review and is the first occasion on which the DFSA has issued a Report on this subject. A significant finding of the review, documented in the Report, was that firms often did not carry out structured, periodic reviews of their Governing Bodies and their committees, or their effectiveness.

Hawkamah has announced the appointment of Dr. Ashraf Gamal El Din, as the Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2014. He will be based in Dubai with a mandate to cover the MENASA region. With 28 years’ experience, Dr. Ashraf has worked with several companies and educational institutions. Dr. Ashraf has extensive experience in corporate governance and in setting and implementing strategies to raise the level of awareness and application of corporate governance and responsible business behaviour among companies. Dr. Ashraf holds a PhD degree from the School of Economic, Social and Legal Studies, University of Manchester, England.

The International Financial Facility for Immunization seeks to sell as much as $500 million of dollar-denominated Shariah-compliant notes, using the bond proceeds to supply vaccines to some of the world’s poorest nations. IFFIM, a non-profit organization based in London, will sell the three-year vaccine bonds backed by commodities as early as this month. The sukuk will be of the Murabaha type and are rated AA by Standard & Poor’s. Ethical or green sukuk aren’t governed by any industry standards and don’t need a separate endorsement from an Islamic scholar. Issuance of green sukuk is expected to rise as there is growing awareness of environmental preservation.

RAM Ratings sees great potential in Green Sukuk, in tandem with the increased interest in both Shari’ah-compliant and ethical investment. The use of Islamic instruments to raise capital for sustainable development projects will set a new precedent; Green Sukuk is anticipated to become key to the financing of low-carbon and renewable-energy economies. As the phrase implies, Green Sukuk involves certifying the environmental credentials of the project to be funded as well as its compliance with Shari’ah principles. Nonetheless, a sustainable Green Sukuk market is not without its challenges; one of these is to assure investors that the utilisation of Sukuk proceeds is for projects with economic value while simultaneously meeting accepted and credible green standard

Jan - June 2014 issue of the Malaysian ICM bulletin published by the Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) is now available online.

Islamic fund and wealth management is an integral component of Islamic financial system. This is attributed to the significant rise in income and wealth of certain Islamic countries over the last four decades as well as the emergence of Islamic finance as a viable alternative to conventional finance. The benefits of Islamic fund and wealth management cut across racial and religious boundaries as it not only benefit Muslims who wish to see their wealth preserved and enhanced within the Shariah framework, but also to non-Muslims who may view this from an ethical perspective of managing wealth.

Schedule
October 28, 2014, Tue 09.00 - 16.45 h

Content
At the first Liechtenstein Islamic finance conference, the Financial Market Authority (FMA) and the Propter Homines Chair for Banking and Securities Law at the University of Liechtenstein will examine the challenges to and opportunities for Islamic finance structures and sharia compliant financial intermediation for Liechtenstein. We believe that Liechtenstein’s expertise as a renowned private and family wealth centre with a strong preference for non-leveraged long-term investments, well-developed trust and foundation laws, as well as a competitive financial regulation may provide the starting point for offering services in the Islamic domain. We are delighted that experts in the field of Islamic finance and sustainability will assist us in answering the questions on how Liechtenstein may benefit from Islamic finance, and how Islamic investors and clients may benefit from Liechtenstein.

We would like to advise you of the coming Liechtenstein Islamic Finance Conference and would appreciate your participation. The conference concerning

Al Baraka Bank Pakistan aims to play an active role in social and economic development, by way of contributing to secure the welfare, balance and solidarity of financially and socially challenged segments. Setting the ethical standards for a sustainable society A Group of Volunteers from Al Baraka Bank spent a day, celebrating the Independence Day, with the Children at The Citizens Foundation (TCF) School. Concluding the ceremony, Gift hampers were distributed amongst the attending children. Al Baraka is a sponsor of The Citizen’s Foundation (TCF) Schools. Development of Education sector, through various activities and funding is one of the primary concerns of Al Baraka, in the longer run.

A new guide by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has been launched to help banks in Singapore implement environmental, social and governance (ESG) practice into their frameworks and develop sustainable solutions to risks of climate change and resource scarcity. The ESG Integration for Banks: A Guide to Starting Implementation gives advice to financial advisors and lenders in socially responsible banking. The guide maps out ‘how to’ steps for financial institutions in the earlier stages of their ESG journey. It shows them how to manage their risk exposure to unsustainable business practices and lead the trend toward green business.

Construction Week's Leaders in Construction Summit is set to take place on September 3 in Dubai. IHCC, a turnkey solutions provider that specializes in healthcare, education and mixed-use projects, will participate in the Summit by organizing a panel discussion on designing and managing diverse social infrastructure projects including hospitals, schools and universities. IHCC's CEO Sultan Sobhi Batterjee will share insights at a panel discussion that will mull diverse emerging issues in the real estate sector such as the rise in spending on social infrastructure across the GCC, how contractors can win work in this area, what special capabilities are required and best ways to partner with leading international education and healthcare providers.

The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) today launched the Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk framework to facilitate the financing of sustainable and responsible investment initiatives. The proposal on the SRI sukuk framework was first announced in the 2014 budget speech.

The launch of the SRI sukuk framework is in line with the initiative set out under the SC’s Capital Market Masterplan 2 to promote socially responsible financing and investment. With the shifts in investor demographics, there are growing concerns over environmental and social impact of business and greater demand for stronger governance and ethics from businesses. The Malaysian capital market is well-positioned to capitalise on these changing trends and facilitate sustainable and responsible investing. ommission Malaysia (SC) today launched the Sustainable and Responsible Investment (SRI) Sukuk framework to facilitate the financing of sustainable and responsible investment initiatives. The proposal on the SRI sukuk framework was first announced in the 2014 budget speech.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) has approved $987 million in funds for supporting economic and social development projects and programmes in its member countries, in addition to grants for Muslim communities in non-member countries. The funds approved by the IDB's Board of Executive Directors at a recent meeting include $176 million for Oman, $100 million for Uzbekistan, $179.3 million for Cameroon, $26.7 million for Lebanon, $20 million for Yemen and $10 million for Uganda. Egypt alone received $198 million for the development of develop Assiut Oil Refinery and $226,8 for the development of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, from IDB's latest funds.

Curtis Law Solicitors were one of the lead sponsors for the Srebrenica Memorial event held at Blackburn Cathedral earlier this month. It aimed to remember the victims of July 11 1995, when 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were killed. Earlier this year, Noordad Aziz, a councillor and head of finance at Curtis Law Solicitors, visited Bosnia and paid witness to the, still devastating effects of the Srebrenica genocide. This trip fuelled Noordad with a passion to raise awareness and recognition of this modern tragedy in Britain. Following Noordad’s trip, Curtis Law Solicitors worked in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council on organising an event to demonstrate the official ‘Remembering Srebrenica’ historic memorial programme.

The community and social initiatives launched by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority ( DEWA ) are an integral part of its strategy to serve the public good. DEWA is not only concerned with the provision of power and water, but also making efforts to enhance growth and prosperity in Dubai and the UAE through its social programmes and initiatives. Dubai's first Earth Hour was in 2008, and is one of the many initiatives organised by DEWA to raise awareness about the importance of rationalising consumption of energy. Besides, DEWA organised several environmental activities and awareness programmes to mark World Water Day. Moreover, DEWA organises the Consumer Award to encourage customers to reduce their consumption of electricity and water and follow environmentally-friendly practices.

SEDCO Holding Group’s Riyali Financial Literacy Program has recently signed partnership agreements with the Noble Center for Comprehensive Development and Al-Andalus Al-Khadra Training Center to provide training workshops for university students, as well as, elementary and secondary school students. Under the agreement, each center will aim to train 15,000 male and female university students and elementary school students during 2014 with each center approaching various schools and universities to offer free Riyali courses to students. The program, launched in late 2012, aims to improve financial practices among Saudi youth and kids, such as in financial planning, budgeting, investing and borrowing.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman, DMCC, announced the launch of the organisation's latest CSR initiative, the 'DMCC Foundation'. The ' DMCC Foundation' will be a non-denominational fund to be governed by independent trustees appointed by the DMCC Executive Chairman to oversee the disbursements of funds. All DMCC employees will be encouraged to contribute 2.5 per cent of the average saving potential of their annual salary. The DMCC Executive Chairman has already led by example in doing so. Ahmed Bin Sulayem hopes to encourage other organisations in Dubai to take on the CSR challenge to bring the UAE to forefront of donating nations in the future.

Two weeks after the launch of the 037037 bank account to collect donations to help Egypt’s economy, the total value of donations exceeded EGP 400m, the Central Bank of Egypt’s (CBE) informed. The latest donation was from a Saudi businessman who contributed EGP 214m to the fund. The CBE announced in a Tuesday statement that donations from banks operating in the Egyptian market have increased to record around EGP 160m, including EGP 20m from State-run Banque Misr, Banque du Caire and National Bank of Egypt each. Other contributing banks include the Commercial International Bank (CIB), Arab African International Bank, Emirates NBD, the United Bank, QNB Al-Ahli, Faisal Islamic Bank of Egypt, SAIB, Egyptian Gulf Bank and Arab International Bank (AIB).