Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings announces its 4th annual Islamic Finance Symposium, a virtual event scheduled for April 9, 2025.

Global - Fitch Ratings is set to host its highly anticipated Islamic Finance Symposium on April 9, 2025. This year's event will be held virtually, allowing participants from around the globe to join and gain insights into the key trends and challenges shaping the Islamic finance industry.

The symposium promises a comprehensive agenda featuring senior analysts from Fitch Ratings, alongside prominent leaders and regulators within the Islamic finance sector. Discussions will cover a range of critical topics, including the performance and outlook of the global Sukuk market in 2025, the increasing importance of Emerging Markets and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations within Islamic finance, and the driving forces and challenges facing Islamic banking across key markets.

Attendees will also benefit from expert analysis on the current credit rating landscape and associated risks, as well as updates on regulatory developments, with a specific focus on the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Sharia Standard No. 62.

The event will kick off at 1:00 PM Dubai time (5:00 PM Hong Kong time, 10:00 AM British Summer Time) with opening remarks from Ian Linnell, President of Fitch Ratings, followed by a keynote speech. Subsequent sessions will delve into specific areas:

• Global Sukuk Market - Status and Outlook (1:15 - 2:10 PM Dubai time): This panel will feature Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, CEO of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM); Akber Khan, Acting CEO of Al Rayan Investment (ARI); Nadia Zubairi, Head of Debt Capital Markets at Bank ABC; Ali Taufeeq, Head of Sukuk MENAT at HSBC Bank Middle East; and Paul Gamble, Senior Director, Sovereigns at Fitch Ratings. The session will be moderated by Bashar Al-Natoor, Managing Director, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings.
• Sharia-Compliance, Credit Risk, Regulatory Transitions, and ESG (2:15 - 3:10 PM Dubai time): This session will include Omar Mustafa Ansari, Secretary General of AAOIFI; Abdullah Haron, Deputy Secretary General of the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB); and Stella Cox CBE, Managing Director of DDCAP Group, with Bashar Al-Natoor moderating.
• Global Islamic Banking Industry - Status and Outlook (3:15 - 4:10 PM Dubai time): Redmond Ramsdale, Senior Director, Head of Middle East Bank Ratings and Islamic Banking at Fitch Ratings; Mohammed Sharaf, Treasurer of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB); and Saif Shawqi, Director, Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, will participate in this panel, moderated by Lindsey Liddell, Managing Director, Head of Emerging Market EMEA Bank Ratings at Fitch Ratings.

The symposium will conclude with closing remarks from Bashar Al-Natoor at 4:10 PM Dubai time.