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November 12, 2009

DIFC discusses possible partnerships with top UK bankers

Filed under: Alternative Investment — Tags: , , , — trevor @ 11:18 pm

The new realities of a changing global economic landscape and the post-crisis world offer a wealth of opportunities for partnership between the City of London and the markets of the (more…)

Global law firm taps new senior appointments

Filed under: On the Move — trevor @ 10:04 pm

DLA Piper announced that Jim Delkousis has been appointed as the new Office Managing Partner for its Dubai office. Jim will officially take up the role in January 2010, succeeding Tony (more…)

Swiss Life celebrates its first year in business in the Middle East

Filed under: Assets — Tags: , , — trevor @ 10:01 pm

Swiss Life has celebrated its first year in business in the Middle East. The insurance intermediation office at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is part of the global set up (more…)

Swiss private bank creates a new benchmark in Islamic wealth management

Filed under: Wealth Management & Private Banking News — Tags: , — trevor @ 9:59 pm

The Sarasin Group, a leading Swiss private bank with a broad international footprint, announced the launch of a comprehensive new Islamic wealth management offering that comprises the full spectrum of Sharia-compliant private banking products and services. Sarasin’s Islamic wealth management offering creates a new benchmark by incorporating estate and succession planning, financing and asset management with such money market and structured products as Wakala, Murabaha and Maraya. With this launch, Sarasin provides an even broader customised offering to its clients globally and further strengthens its position in the Middle East. The Sarasin Group is represented in the Middle East by its Sarasin-Alpen subsidiaries, which are located in Dubai, Qatar and Oman. At a press conference in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, the Sarasin Group today unveiled its comprehensive new Islamic wealth management offering. The event was attended by His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed Bin Ahmed Al Thani, former Minister of Commerce and Economy of Qatar, and Abdullah Al Najjar, CEO of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, as well as members of Sarasin’s senior management and an independent Sharia Advisory board. The Sharia Advisory Board, comprising the eminent scholars Sheikh Dr Mohamed Ali Elgari, Dr Muhammad Imran Ashraf Usmani and Dr Monzer Kahf, will ensure that this high-quality offering is fully compliant with Sharia principles. As required, Sarasin’s Islamic wealth management service is based on an intense investment screening process, including elaborate Sharia monitoring and control procedures. Fidelis M. Goetz, Member of the Executive Committee and Head of Private Banking, Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd, Switzerland said : “The launch of our Islamic wealth management offering reflects our commitment to serving the diverse needs of our clients based on a responsible, long-term approach, as well as our unique capabilities given our considerable expertise in the Middle East and our proven track record as a specialized asset manager.” Rohit Walia, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Bank Sarasin-Alpen Group, Middle East and South Asia “We are extremely delighted that the global launch of our Islamic products is taking place in the Middle East. Islamic Finance is a fast growing concept in the region. Many of our clients have expressed interest in Islamic Wealth Management and we are very happy to offer the suite of Islamic products to meet their requirements. I am sure this will also add to our already strengthened position in the region.” Fares Mourad, Managing Director, Head of Islamic Finance, Bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd, Switzerland “Our relentless focus on client needs was the inspiration behind the development of this offering. Many of our clients have expressed an interest in this type of investment approach and we are proud to offer them a complete range of products and services that combine the highest standards of Swiss private banking with Sharia principles.”

Bahraini Islamic bank discloses results in first nine months

Filed under: Company Results, Islamic Finance — Tags: , — trevor @ 9:57 pm

ABC Islamic Bank has announced that its profit for the nine months to September 2009 was $6.4m. Income for the third quarter was $9.2m versus $10.6m for the previous quarter, due largely (more…)

Bahrain keen to attract hedge funds and insurers

Filed under: Hedge Fund News — Tags: , — trevor @ 9:54 pm

Bahrain is keen to attract and grow the alternative asset management sector, including hedge funds, according to Sheikh Salman Isa Al Khalifa, executive director of banking operations at the Central Bank of Bahrain. Al Khalifa – speaking at the Hedge Funds Review Middle East Investment and Risk Middle East summit in Bahrain today – said the Kingdom was well placed to encourage the sector’s growth, particularly for funds and managers that want access to the $1 trillion economy offered by the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC). Read More at Risk (more…)

Islamic Business & finance industry awards to take place in December

Filed under: Islamic Finance — Tags: — trevor @ 6:45 am

CPI Financial, publisher of Islamic Business & Finance magazine, has announced it will be hosting the annual Islamic Business and Finance Awards to highlight the phenomenal performance of the Islamic (more…)

Qatar sells part of Volkswagen stake

Filed under: Alternative Investment — Tags: , — trevor @ 5:23 am

Qatar’s sovereign investment fund yesterday sold 25 million preference shares in German auto maker Volkswagen AG, raising ¤1.5bn, but still plans to build its voting stake in the company. Qatar (more…)

UAE M&A activity slumps in 2009

Filed under: Research — Tags: , , — trevor @ 5:19 am

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity involving UAE firms is down more than 29 per cent year-to-date compared with the same period in 2008, Emirates Business can reveal. (more…)

Dubai investment firm sells London buildings

Filed under: Alternative Investment — Tags: — trevor @ 5:17 am

Dubai investment firm Istithmar World has sold two buildings in London to Great Portland Estates (GPE), its financial statements showed. Istithmar is one of the flagship companies of (more…)

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