World Islamic Banking Conference kicks off in Bahrain

Over 1,300 global industry leaders have descended on Bahrain today for the 24^th edition of the World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC).

Held under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, the three-day event is being held at the ART Rotana Hotel in Amwaj Islands.

Convened by Middle East Global Advisors, a leading financial intelligence platform facilitating the development of knowledge-based economies in the MENASEA markets and in strategic partnership with the Central Bank of Bahrain, the forum is operating under the theme “Drivers of Economic Growth & Risks: Policymakers & Regulators”.

The conference’s steady vision is set to serve as a compass for the global Islamic finance and banking industry and participants will be focused on generating breakthrough insights that help navigate through the complexities of the global financial system.

This year’s keynote address will be taken by Alex Tapscott, CEO, NextBlock Global, co-author of Blockchain Revolution and founding member, IMF’s High Level Advisory Group on Fintech.

Speaking on behalf of WIBC’s Platinum Partner, Abdul Hakeem Alkhayyat, Managing Director and CEO, KFH Bahrain, said: “The event aims to provide a shared platform for the Islamic Banking and Finance industry professionals in the region to deliberate at length on key challenges and opportunities affecting the industry. The event, among other things, will deliver the latest advances in technology, thought leadership and intelligence. We hope the 24th edition of the conference continues to add great value to critical issues in the global arena of Islamic Banking.”

The 24th WIBC will also see the launch of two major financial intelligence reports from Thomson Reuters: ‘The Islamic Finance Development Report’ and ‘The Islamic Commercial Law Report 2018’, arming the industry with critical insights going forward.