Islamic banking conference continues to grow in size and importance

by Richard Kilner

Story link: Islamic banking conference continues to grow in size and importance

Over 1,000 representatives of the world’s most important Islamic financial institutions will assemble in Bahrain for a conference.

It will be the 14th World Islamic Banking Conference, which is held annually, and is to be held from 8 to 10 December, in the Gulf International Convention Centre.

David McLean, Mega managing director, pointed out the swift growth in the event’s significance as Islamic banking has rapidly expanded. At the initial conference a mere 120 delegates were in attendance, whereas for this year’s conference over 1,000 representatives from 35 nations will be present.

Year on year interest in the conference has grown, as has the debate stimulated revolving around the matters of the day, according to Yousif Taqi, the chief executive of Al Salam Bank.

John Weguelin, the managing director of European Islamic Investment Bank, has described the event as the most important conference on the Islamic banking calendar.

Exchanging information and transferring knowledge takes place, as do a plethora of sidelines such as activities and debates.

The WIBC exhibition occurs alongside the conference itself, and serves as a platform for showing the most recent innovations, launching services and products.

The UK Pavilion is to be launched this year, hosted by the UK Trade and Investment. A number of senior delegates who work for UK-based institutions, including the London Stock Exchange, will be involved. Plans are afoot to make London an important centre within Europe for Islamic finance.