That there is a need for microfinance in predominantly Islamic countries is taken as a given by most, yet providing sharia-compliant microfinance seems to be beyond many financial institutions. So what can be done? James King investigates.
New growth avenues fuel UAE banking success
January 2, 2015Encouraging growth in the non-hydrocarbon, SME and retail sectors have all contributed to what has been a largely successful year for the United Arab Emirates' banking sector.
Israel's hi-tech ascent
December 1, 2014Israel’s impressive ecosystem of hi-tech start-ups is increasingly taking on financial technology, with bold ambitions and an eye to the larger potential offered by the US, Europe and Asia.
EBRD president promotes development in north Africa
December 1, 2014The president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development talks about the bank’s role in promoting private-sector development in north Africa and the Levant following the Arab Spring.
Bursa Malaysia's Islamic innovation drive
November 3, 2014Bursa Malaysia is the leading global centre for Islamic capital markets. Its chief executive tells James King that the exchange is still looking to innovate, with expanding the borders of Islamic finance a key priority.
Sukuk sheds its niche status
November 3, 2014The growth of 'hard' currency sukuk issuance is pushing the market to the next level, as new issuers and new investors flock to the sharia-compliant finance space to capitalise on the growth prospects of emerging economies in the Gulf and Asia.
Noor CEO heralds an age of harmonisation
November 3, 2014Hussain Al Qemzi, CEO of Noor Bank, discusses the long-term prospects for the Islamic banking sector, describing the valuable role it can play in promoting greater cross-border co-operation and operational harmonisation.
Islamic banks take on Basel III
November 3, 2014Four leading representatives discuss the impact of Basel III on the Islamic banking industry, what benefits the regulations will bring and why Islamic banks are well positioned to meet the requirements.
Malaysia leads the way for Islamic finance
November 3, 2014While the growth in Islamic finance slowed down in 2013 for some smaller, less-developed markets, others such as Malaysia and the Gulf countries, saw strong results.
Islamic banks and SMEs: a golden opportunity
November 1, 2014Though the recent story of Islamic finance is largely a successful one, the sector's relative lack of maturity means that some shortfalls do exist. One of these – the supply-demand mismatch regarding small and medium-sized enterprises – has left a potentially lucrative hole to fill.