Unlocking Islamic Finance’s Potential and Supporting Stability

An Islamic finance seminar jointly organized by the Turkish G20 Presidency and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be held at George Washington University on April 16.

The seminar will provide an opportunity to exchange views on the role of asset-based financing (Islamic finance) towards the overarching objectives of inclusive growth, SME and infrastructure financing, and financial stability. It is also an occasion to discuss the remaining challenges facing the industry, and to deliberate on policies needed to unlock its growth and safeguard its soundness. The seminar will benefit from the findings and conclusions of the recent study by the IMF on Islamic Finance: Opportunities, Challenges and Policy Options.
The seminar will be moderated by Mr. Naser ElTibi (Al-Arabiya television) and the speakers for the panel include Min Zhu, Deputy Managing Director, IMF, Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz (Governor, Bank Negara Malaysia); Mr. Ali Babacan (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Turkey); Dr.Ahmad Mohamed Ali (President of the Islamic Development Bank); and Mr. Pierre Gramegna (Minister of Finance, Luxembourg).

The seminar will be held on Thursday, April 16, 2015 from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm at the Jack Morton Auditorium, George Washington University (805 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052).

The seminar will be open to the public. Participation of policymakers and practitioners is welcome.

IMF and Islamic Finance

The IMF is a regular contributor to the development of Islamic finance, supporting the industry as it develops. In the following video Christopher Towe of the IMF discusses Islamic finance, its structures, opportunities and challenges.