Uniting leading Islamic finance experts and regulators for the second year running, Bank Nizwa is partnering with Islamic Finance News (IFN) for the 2017 IFN Oman Forum. Set to be held at the Grand Millennium Muscat on March 7th 2017, the event will include a number of highly interactive panel discussions and presentations detailing opportunities for growth within the sector. The event’s return to Oman reflects the bank’s growing role in driving growth and cooperation within the Islamic finance.

The event will be opened by H.E. Hamood bin Sangour bin Hashim Al Zadjali, Executive President, Central Bank of Oman and H.E. Abdullah bin Salim Al Salmi, Executive President of the Central Market Authority. A number of stakeholders representing the Sultanate’s most important Islamic finance institutions will also participate, including Khalid Al Kayed, CEO of Bank Nizwa, Oman’s first Islamic bank, Dr. Ashraf Alnabhani, General Manager Corporate Support at Bank Nizwa, Neil Miller, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Linklaters and Loai Bataineh, CEO of Ubhar Capital, among many others.

The Islamic finance sector is enduring a period of constant change and innovation. For stakeholders in Oman to continue spearheading the growth of Shari’a-compliant banking, Bank Nizwa has been at the forefront of the efforts in the country. The bank has been working closely with the Central Bank of Oman and the Capital Market Authority to build the foundations for a stronger and more diverse economy.

As Oman’s first Islamic bank, Bank Nizwa’s role has been to raise awareness on the benefits of Shari’a-compliant banking and work in tandem with all stakeholders to support the growth of the Sultanate’s economy. The bank is constantly seeking to offer customers an alternative to conventional banks and support them with tailored products and services that remain true to the values of Islamic finance, while fostering financially secure lifestyles. Today, Shari’a-complaint banking assets account for 10.2% of all banking assets in Oman. This clearly indicates the effectiveness of Islamic financial solutions and their growing popularity.

This seminar will provide market players and regulators with an opportunity to exchange ideas and best practices, as well as identify prospects for growth and draw-up a strategic but more importantly implementable roadmap that leads to more milestones.

Since inception in 2013, Bank Nizwa has been the go-to-reference and ambassador for Islamic finance in Oman participating and organizing several initiatives to enhance and elevate the awareness on Islamic banking across the country, while developing future leaders who can advance the industry in the years ahead. Bank Nizwa’s dedication to bringing the benefits of Shari’a-compliant banking to people across the Sultanate has led to the development of numerous forums, seminars, and workshops over the years. Its efforts include the establishment of the Islamic Finance Knowledge Series, the Islamic Banking Knowledge Forum, and collaborations with higher educational institutions from around the world.