From Mondaq.com: Prior to the global financial crisis, the Islamic banking, finance, insurance (takaful) and investment markets were riding a wave of unprecedented growth.
Banking was growing 15-30 percent annually, with trading levels having increased from US$70 billion in 2005 to US$300 billion in 2008. The takaful industry was growing at an annual rate of 20 percent. The asset growth rate in the Islamic finance industry from 2005-2008 was 400 percent with the industry worth more than one trillion dollars in early 2008……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Thepeninsulaqatar.com: Corporate sukuk issuance in Malaysia, the world’s top Shariah bond market, is expected to rise by up to $15bn this year as the economy improves, an Islamic bank said yesterday.
Infrastructure companies and refinancing needs are likely to account for the bulk of sukuk issuance in 2010, with the market projected to see issuance rise by 40-50bn ringgit ($11.8-$14.8bn) from last year, Bank Islam said……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Khaleejtimes.com: Dubai-based mortgage lender Amlak Finance will make its semi-annual coupon payment for its 2010 Sukuk on January 18.
The statement, posted on the Dubai Financial Market web site from the fiscal and paying agent HSBC, did not give the total value of the coupon to be paid……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Btimes.com.my: Malaysia’s Ingress Sukuk Bhd has obtained its sukuk holders’ approval to extend the maturity date of about RM48 million (US$14.26 million) in Islamic bonds, the company said today.
The sukuk would now mature on July 9 instead of January 9, it said in a statement posted on the central bank’s website through its facility agent……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Pakobserver.net: There are more Muslims in India than there are in Pakistan, which is why it is surprising that successive governments have so far done nothing to bring Islamic banking into India.
Indeed,many Arabs are justifiably upset that they have suffered a collective loss of $1.3 trillion because of the numerous malpractices of financial institutions in the US and the EU,and would prefer to place their money in India……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Tradearabia.com: Dubai World, the state-owned holding company grappling to restructure about $22 billion in debt for its property units, could unveil some details about its plans as early as Thursday, bankers said.

Dubai sent shockwaves through global markets on November 25 when it said it would request a standstill on billions of dollars of debt linked to Dubai World and its property units Limitless and Nakheel, developer of three palm-shaped islands……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Tradearabia.com: Ajman Bank, the Emirate’s first Islamic commercial bank, has appointed Mubashar H Khokhar as its new CEO.
Khokhar started his career at Bank of America and has served in senior executive roles in the banking industry for the past twenty-six years. His most recent post was as CEO of Badr Al Islami, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the UAE’s Mashreqbank……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Poten.com: The opening of the new 1600-square metre headquarters (four times the size of the bank’s previous head office) forms part of Sharjah Islamic Bank’s expansion strategy.
Overlooking Khan Corniche, the new SIB headquarters comprises 30 floors with a total cost of AED 300 million, nine of which have been designated for the operation of the headquarters and for management offices, while floors 10 to 28 have been designated as a luxury residential compound……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Trend.az: The Government of Azerbaijan has signed with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) an agreement on the project of building a new 800-megawatt Cenub station (near Alibayramli thermal power plant), for which the Bank has provided €134.4 million, a government source said.

On behalf of Azerbaijan, the agreement was signed by the finance minister Samir Sharifov and the agent agreement by the head of Azerenerji JSC Etibar Pirverdiyev. The agreements were signed in late December……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Khaleejtimes.com: The pace of UAE’s economic growth will pick up from last year’s modest levels but remain subdued along with consumer prices, Central Bank Governor Al Suwaidi said.

“The situation globally seems to have stabilised, which reflects on the UAE’s economy,” Central Bank Governor Sultan bin Nasser Al Suwaidi said, adding: “There will not be growth at high levels but there will be growth,” he said……………………………………Full Article: Source

From Eyeofdubai.com: Innovative ‘shapeyourcountry.com’ will promote dialogue between communities on life in the UAE and create new model for customer engagement and collaboration.
Noor Investment Group’s Noor Islamic Bank and Noor Takaful, has announced the creation of a new social media online forum – shapeyourcountry.com - with the aim of connecting people living within the UAE across nationalities, age and economic status, as well as Emirati’s residing abroad……………………………………Full Press Release: Source

From Tradearabia.com: The Bahrain Tender Board has awarded Takaful International Company (TIC) the tender for insurance coverage for several ministries and governmental organisations for three successive years.
The tenders provide insurance coverage against various risks worth more than BD275 million ($729.5 million)……………………………………Full Article: Source

Though small in comparison with conventional finance, Islamic finance is at the threshold of serious expansion, growing at between 15–20 per cent a year. Yet the wealth potential of Islamic finance is far from being its most attractive feature. What is most compelling about Islamic finance are its ethical principles and strong corporate governance based on Shariah law.
This book explains how conventional financial products work—from mortgages and leases to trade finance and insurance—before delving into their Islamic versions……………………………………Full Press Release: Source