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more than 1,200 industry decision-makers from over 50 countries are preparing to meet in Bahrain at the 16th Annual World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC 2009).
This year's conference, to be held from December 6-8, will focus on new strategies for new economic realities and WIBC 2009 has set the stage for discussions that will shape the post-crisis landscape as Islamic banks grapple with the need to manage risk, seek new growth markets, deliver on market expectations as well as remain competitive.
The theme of WIBC 2009 reflects this fresh outlook that the leading Islamic financial institutions are currently adopting as they compete in an increasingly challenging landscape.
Tirad Mahmoud, CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, said: "It is heartening to experience the vibrancy and sustained growth that Islamic banking has seen over the last few years. I am impressed most by the upbeat stance of the entire industry in face of the global economic situation in general and that of the banking sector in particular."
Ahmed Fahour, CEO of Gulf Finance House, said: "At GFH, we believe Islamic banking has a big future and not just in traditional markets but on the global stage. The conference is a key player in stimulating debate and tackling the issues the industry will face in the years ahead."
The inaugural plenary session of WIBC 2009 will feature a series of prominent keynote addresses from Rasheed Al Maraj, Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain; Heng Swee Keat, Governor of the Monetary Authority of Singapore; Aset O. Issekeshev, Minister of Industry and Trade of Kazakhstan; and Khalid Al Aboodi, the CEO and general manager of The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, the private sector arm of the IDB Group.
In addition, the launch of the 2009/2010 edition of the WIBC Competitiveness Report, a critical reference source for industry decision makers, providing strategic insights from McKinsey & Company, will also provide a powerful research platform for discussing key trends, challenges and opportunities in the Islamic banking industry.
