GLOBAL ISLAMIC ECONOMY SUMMIT ON OCTOBER 5-6

Dubai, 17 Dzulhijjah 1436/30 September 2015 (MINA) – Ahead of the 2015 Global Islamic Economy Summit GIES logo on 5 and 6 October at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, the organisers Dubai Chamber, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre (DIEDC), and Thomson Reuters today revealed the full line-up of speakers and panellists scheduled to appear at the summit. Together with close to 2,000 policymakers and business leaders, the speakers will lead discussions around the opportunities within the growing global Islamic economy.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the second edition of the summit aims to examine the seven core “pillars” within the Islamic economy: Islamic Finance, Halal Industry, Family Tourism, Islamic Knowledge, Islamic Arts and Design, Islamic Digital Economy, and Islamic Standards. The headline sponsors for this event are Dubai Islamic Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Emirates Islamic, Halal Focus quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Nadim Najjar, Managing Director of Thomson Reuters, Middle East and North Africa, said: “In light of the insights provided by the State of the Global Islamic Economy report into this multifaceted sector, we look forward to what will be two days of prolific discussions and brainstorming amongst innovators and Islamic industry experts from around the world. This platform is essentially a breeding ground of ideas that will positively shape the Islamic economy in the years to come.”

“ADIB has been supporting GIES since its inception in 2013 and we are glad to take part in this event which is an ideal platform for industry leaders to share expertise and discuss the latest developments shaping the Global Islamic Economy,” said Tirad Al Mahmoud, CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank.

“At ADIB, we are committed to promoting ethical finance, which is at the core of Islamic Banking; hence, on the sidelines of the GIES, we are proud and excited to be announcing the winners of the third Ethical Finance Innovation Challenge Awards – EFICA. The awards aim to inspire and recognise fresh ways of thinking and promote the most dynamic actionable solutions that advance ethics in the world’s financial services industry.”

Jamal Bin Ghalaita, CEO, Emirates Islamic said “Islamic finance has a crucial role to play in the growth of every sector of the Islamic economy and I look forward to the discussion with my peers from other major Islamic banks at the GIES. Though we may compete with each other on a regular basis, it is imperative for all Islamic banks to work in cohesion to develop a robust model and roadmap to further the growth of the Islamic economy.”

Day One will kick off with a panel discussion on “Global and Regional Economic Dynamics” by H.E. Mubarak Rashed Al Mansoori, Governor of Central Bank of the UAE, who will discuss the impact of Islamic economies on global markets and what to expect in the coming years. Led by a trio of prominent leaders from the UAE’s Islamic finance industry– Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group CEO of Dubai Islamic Bank, Tirad Al-Mahmoud, Group CEO of Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Jamal Bin Ghalaita, CEO of Emirates Islamic – the second session will be a lively debate on the link between the various Islamic economy sectors and Islamic Finance.

H.E. Majid Saif AlGhurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will deliver the keynote speech of the Opening Ceremony. Other keynote speakers include Abdulla Al Maeeni, Director General of Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology,Hussain Al Qemzi, CEO of Noor Awqaf, and Ambassador Hameed Opeloyeru, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Affairs of OIC.

They will, respectively, discuss the need for a standardised and effective regulatory framework in the growing food and cosmetic and personal care sectors of the Islamic Economy, and the role of Islamic finance in broadening the positive impact of the institution of awqaf.

The session on Halal Industry will bring together:

Dr Muhammad Munir Chaudry, President and Chairman of the Board of Islamic food and Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA®), Dr Tabassum Khan, Managing Director of AJ Pharma, Abdulla Al Maeeni, Director General of Emirates Authority for Standardization & Metrology (ESMA), Dr Aiad Alkhatib, Head of Corporate Regulatory & Scientific Affairs at Nestle Middle East, Amina Mohammed, Director of Dubai Accreditation Department at Dubai Municipality, and Mustafa Bater, Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs at Coca-Cola.

In line with the agenda unveiled last month, there are a number of sessions designed to address developments in each “pillar” or sector within. For the session on Food and Travel, Mohamed Aboulghait, CEO of Pioneers Holding, Simon Coombs, President and CEO of Shaza Hotels, and H.E Marwan Bin Jassim Al Sarkal, CEO of Shurooq will share insights on success stories in these sectors, elaborate on the lessons learned and point the way to future investment opportunities.

Similarly, sessions pertaining to Islamic Art and Design, Islamic Digital Economy, and Tourism will also gather acknowledged specialists, veterans as well as entrepreneurs in these fields; notable speakers include: Ayman Al Bannaw, Chairman and CEO of Noor Telecommunication Company; Chris Abdur-Rahman Blauvelt, Founder and CEO of LaunchGood, and Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, founder of Barjeel Art Foundation.

In addition to panel discussions and extensive networking opportunities, GIES 2015 will feature a number of new initiatives that address gaps in the needs of consumers of Islamic products and services around the world. (T/P010/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)