Muscat Securities Market (MSM) has announced a list of Shari’ah-compliant companies for the first quarter of 2018. Acording to ONA, these firms business and financial behaviour conformed to the requirements of Islamic Shari’ah according to the rules approved by the Accounting and Auditing organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions.
The participants discussed the outcomes of a workshop held on 8 December outlining the strategic goals and future objectives for Islamic economy and also examined steps forward for the Centre and its partners in developing initiatives and programme implementation mechanisms.
His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori emphasised that in order to realise the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to position Dubai as the capital of Islamic economy, DIEDC needs to continually adapt its Islamic economy strategy to reflect emerging trends across the sector’s dynamic pillars.
The Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) and Dagong Global Credit Rating Company (Dagong) have jointly maintained foreign and local currency ratings assigned to the Al Baraka Banking Group (ABG) on the international scale at BBB+/A3. The national scale ratings of ABG are assessed at A+(bh)/A2(bh) and denote its creditworthiness relative to the local environment. Political stability and policy continuity remain areas of concern in ABG’s core countries including Algeria, Jordan and Egypt, and most notably Turkey. On this account, outlook on the ratings is assessed as 'Negative'. Despite the increasing operating risks, the Group’s overall profitability remains steady and wealth creation capability is relatively strong.
Qatar Islamic Insurance turned in nine months net profit of QAR 50.117 million, down 29.6 per cent on the QAR 71.212 million recorded in 2015. Earnings per Share (EPS) amounted to QAR 3.34, compared to EPS amounted to QAR 4.75 for the same period of the previous year.
Diyar Al Muharraq has announced the signing of a Murabaha contract worth $366 million with a consortium of banks including Al Salam Bank-Bahrain, Kuwait Finance House, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait and Al Baraka Islamic Bank. The participating banks will part fund the Deerat Al Oyoun Social Housing project; total costs are estimated at $700 million. Diyar Al Muharraq will bear the responsibility for financing and constructing all units of Deerat Al Oyoun as well as the initial infrastructure and public utilities. The anticipated date for the project’s first phase completion is February 2018. Al Salam Bank Deputy Group CEO Anwar Murad commented on the agreement being a milestone in terms of organizing a project of this magnitude, stressing the cooperation between Islamic and conventional banks in the region.
Emirates Islamic disbursed AED 1 million to Dubai Charity Association from its Zakat fund. The contribution will fund the association’s various charitable activities, such as helping the poor and needy and individuals in debt. The cheque was presented by Awatif Al Harmoodi, General Manager at Emirates Islamic and handed over to Abdul Rahim Gargash, Vice Chairman at Dubai Charity Association. In 2016, the bank has so far distributed more than AED 30 million to various charitable causes. Emirates Islamic has disbursed funds towards medical and rehabilitation equipment to government and privately run institutions including Ministry of Health, Ajman Club for disabled and Al Ihsan Medical Complex.
Emaar Properties has mandated Standard Chartered Bank as Sole Global Coordinator of its new US dollar Sukuk. Bank ABC, Dubai Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD Capital, First Gulf Bank, Mashreq, National Bank of Aub Dhabi, Noor Bank, Standard Chartered Bank and Union National Bank are mandated as Joint Lead Managers to arrange investor meetings in Asia, the Middle East and Europe commencing on 4 September 2016. USD 2 billion Trust Certificate Issuance Programme may follow subject to market conditions. FCA/ICMA stabilization applies.
Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) has reaffirmed the ratings of Kuveyt Turk Participation Bank (KTPB) at "AA(tr)/A1+(tr)" on the national scale. Ratings on the international scale have also been reaffirmed, with foreign currency rating at "BBB-/A3" and the local currency rating at "BBB/A3". Outlook on the assigned ratings is "Stable". Ratings of KTPB are underpinned by its strong institutional ownership, which is led by Kuwait Finance House. The impact of regional instability on Turkey’s banking industry has been manageable so far. However, the industry may face challenges in the coming periods.
Kuveyt Türk Katilim Bankasi has closed the first half of 2016 with a net profit of TRY 256 million with an increase by 24.4% compared to the same period last year. The bank's total assets have reached 44,1 billion increasing by 4.9% and its shareholders equity has reached TRY 3.7 billion increasing by 8%. Ufuk Uyan, the CEO of Kuveyt Türk, said the bank added 30 new branch offices to its network throughout 2016. Kuveyt Türk aims at becoming one of the top three banks opening the highest number of branch offices in the banking sector.
According to Moody's latest report, the Islamic Development Bank's (IsDB) credit profile is supported by its strong shareholder support, robust capital base and prudent financial and risk management policies. While facing a risky operating environment due to geopolitical tensions in the MENA region and lower oil prices, the IsDB's operational assets continue to perform well. The bank's gross operational assets have been steadily growing over time and rose 11.7% year-on-year in 1436H, but the pace of that growth will likely slow in the next few years. The overall credit quality of the bank's portfolio is solid, well diversified in different countries and sectors. Its liquidity is solid, with liquid assets making up 23.6% of total assets.
The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) has announced the fourth dissemination of data on financial soundness and growth of the Islamic banking systems from 17 IFSB member jurisdictions, covering quarterly data from December 2013 to Q3 of 2015. The 17 member countries include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. The total assets of the Islamic banking industry grew from $1,216 billion in 2014Q3 to $1,245 billion in 2015Q3. Total funding/liabilities declined from $1,007 billion in 2014Q3 to $946 billion in 2015Q3. Financing by Islamic banks from the jurisdictions participating in the PSIFIs project reached $710 billion in 2015Q3 from $681 billion in 2014Q3.
Baker & McKenzie advised Mohammed I. Alsubeaei & Sons Investment Company a leading private equity investment company based in Saudi Arabia in a $219 mn dollar Murabaha facility to develop a luxury condominium development. MASIC provided the mezzanine financing for the development project, 45 Park Place, located in New York's TriBeCa neighborhood. The deal highlights the expansion of Islamic financing into the US real estate market.
MASIC partnered with other financial institutions and Soho Properties on the downtown condo project, which is scheduled for completion in 2018. Financiers for the project include Malayan Banking Berhad, London Branch; Intesa Sanpaolo S.p.A.; Warba Bank K.S.C.P.; and MASIC.
Baker & McKenzie partner Mona Dajani said, “This successful financing by MASIC is a milestone transaction in the United States using tiered Shari’ah-compliant facilities for commercial transactions. This transaction aptly demonstrates the increased activity in Islamic financings in the United States which has emerged over the past year.”
The Baker & McKenzie team, led by Ms. Dajani, included partner, Pat McDonald and associates Michael Reed, and Maher Haddad.