Latest news with #Shariah‑compliant
Arabian Post
31-07-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Gulf ESG Sukuk Surge Strengthens Regional Fiscal Influence
Gulf nations now account for over half of global environmental, social, and governance sukuk issuances in the first half of 2025, underscoring their growing leadership in sustainable Islamic finance. Sukuk linked to ESG objectives saw a 12 per cent rise to approximately $50 billion outstanding globally in H1 2025, with Gulf Cooperation Council countries contributing the majority of this volume. Saudi Arabia and the UAE emerged as principal issuers, driving much of the growth. Issuances denominated in foreign currencies rose to $41.4 billion, an 8.94 per cent year-on-year increase, as institutional demand from both regional and international investors firmed further. Saudi Arabia alone accounted for nearly 39 per cent of the total foreign currency sukuk volume in H1, signaling its strategic commitment to funding Vision 2030 priorities through sustainable Islamic financing. The scale and number of ESG sukuk issued by Gulf issuers—including sovereigns, banks, and corporates—mark them as dominant players in the global market. ADVERTISEMENT Fitch Ratings expects the global ESG sukuk market to reach $60 billion in outstanding volume by end‑2026. GCC countries—led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE—continue to serve as hubs of innovation and scale in this segment. Emerging issuers include Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, though they collectively accounted for under half of the total in H1. Strong demand for ESG sukuk is supported by rising interest in sustainable finance instruments that align with national decarbonisation strategies and renewable energy commitments. Instruments such as green and sustainability‑linked sukuk are gaining traction, offering issuers access to lower-cost capital and ESG-sensitive international pools. Moody's had noted earlier that GCC economies accounted for over 80 per cent of global sustainable sukuk issuance in H1 2024, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE at the forefront. Even as sustainable debt issuance globally slowed in other formats, ESG sukuk have outperformed conventional sukuk growth, highlighting the appeal of Shariah‑compliant, transparency‑oriented instruments. Analysts expect sustained momentum through the year, with issuance activity partly driven by issuers seeking to lock in favourable foreign currency funding amid monetary policy uncertainties. Attention to regulatory developments is intensifying. The forthcoming implementation of Shariah Standard 62 by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions is poised to require legal transfer of underlying assets to investors—transforming sukuk structures toward equity‑like formats. Rating agencies warn this could deter fixed‑income investors, increase structuring complexity and raise costs, particularly in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, potentially fragmenting the market unless flexibility and jurisdictional adaptation are built into the standard. Financial institutions across the GCC are responding by accelerating ESG sukuk programmes and adopting sustainable finance frameworks. Dubai's Nasdaq serves as the leading listing venue globally, hosting some 35 per cent of outstanding ESG sukuk by end‑2024. Banking groups such as FAB and ADIB have originated ESG‑aligned Islamic financings—for example supporting renewable energy and decarbonisation projects in line with national and international sustainability targets. Issuers in the Gulf appear determined to exceed expectations through H2 2025, capitalising on robust investor appetite, sovereign sustainability drives, and regulatory frameworks conducive to ESG-aligned debt. Market watchers anticipate further acceleration in sustainable Islamic finance, positioned at the intersection of capital efficiency, Shariah compliance, and global ESG investment flows.
The Star
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
SC adds 59 entities to investor alert list in 1Q
KUANTAN: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) added 59 names to its Investor Alert List in the first quarter (1Q) of this year, said chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi. He said this move is part of ongoing efforts to combat the increasingly rampant scams, alongside blocking fraudulent websites and social media pages. "In 2024, we added 273 names to the Alert List, and in the 1Q this year, we added another 59,' he said during his opening remarks at the launch of the Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 programme. The event was officiated by Pahang Investment, Industrial Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Mohamad Najib. Mohammad Faiz added that the SC also collaborates closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block these deceptive sites. "Last year, we blocked 153 websites and 261 social media pages. In the 1Q, we blocked 29 websites and 91 social media pages. These numbers show how much illicit activity we are fighting daily,' he said. As of May 2025, he said, the SC had received 1,218 complaints and enquiries about scams. Mohammad Faiz also reminded the public to be cautious of scams that claim to be Shariah‑compliant, using religious sentiment to gain trust. Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 is a three‑day programme starting today, bringing together government officials, capital market industry players, and regulators under one roof as part of the SC's investor outreach initiative. More than 40 exhibitors are participating in the event, themed "Bijak Labur, Hidup Makmur'. - Bernama
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SC adds 59 entities to investor alert list in Q1
KUANTAN: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) added 59 names to its Investor Alert List in the first quarter (1Q) of this year, said chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi. He said this move is part of ongoing efforts to combat the increasingly rampant scams, alongside blocking fraudulent websites and social media pages. 'In 2024, we added 273 names to the Alert List, and in the 1Q this year, we added another 59,' he said during his opening remarks at the launch of the Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 programme. The event was officiated by Pahang Investment, Industrial Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Mohamad Najib. Mohammad Faiz added that the SC also collaborates closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block these deceptive sites. 'Last year, we blocked 153 websites and 261 social media pages. In the 1Q, we blocked 29 websites and 91 social media pages. These numbers show how much illicit activity we are fighting daily,' he said. As of May 2025, he said, the SC had received 1,218 complaints and enquiries about scams. Mohammad Faiz also reminded the public to be cautious of scams that claim to be Shariah‑compliant, using religious sentiment to gain trust. Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 is a three‑day programme starting today, bringing together government officials, capital market industry players, and regulators under one roof as part of the SC's investor outreach initiative. More than 40 exhibitors are participating in the event, themed 'Bijak Labur, Hidup Makmur'.
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
SC adds 59 scam names to alert list in Q1 2025
KUANTAN: The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) added 59 names to its Investor Alert List in the first quarter (1Q) of this year, said chairman Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi. He said this move is part of ongoing efforts to combat the increasingly rampant scams, alongside blocking fraudulent websites and social media pages. 'In 2024, we added 273 names to the Alert List, and in the 1Q this year, we added another 59,' he said during his opening remarks at the launch of the Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 programme. The event was officiated by Pahang Investment, Industrial Development, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohamad Nizar Mohamad Najib. Mohammad Faiz added that the SC also collaborates closely with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to block these deceptive sites. 'Last year, we blocked 153 websites and 261 social media pages. In the 1Q, we blocked 29 websites and 91 social media pages. These numbers show how much illicit activity we are fighting daily,' he said. As of May 2025, he said, the SC had received 1,218 complaints and enquiries about scams. Mohammad Faiz also reminded the public to be cautious of scams that claim to be Shariah‑compliant, using religious sentiment to gain trust. Bersama InvestSmart@Pahang 2025 is a three‑day programme starting today, bringing together government officials, capital market industry players, and regulators under one roof as part of the SC's investor outreach initiative. More than 40 exhibitors are participating in the event, themed 'Bijak Labur, Hidup Makmur'.
Arabian Post
17-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Binghatti Capital Poised To Manage $1 Billion in Shariah-Aligned Funds
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Binghatti Holding Ltd has launched Binghatti Capital in the Dubai International Financial Centre, aiming to manage approximately $1 billion in Shariah-compliant private credit and real‑estate investments. Licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority to deal exclusively with professional clients, the firm marks Binghatti's strategic pivot from pure property development to full-spectrum asset management. The new entity will implement dual strategies: acquiring and selling off‑plan residential assets and developing residential projects; and providing private‑credit finance targeted at construction, property management firms and suppliers in the Dubai real‑estate supply chain. Beyond private funds, clients can access bespoke discretionary and non‑discretionary portfolio mandates tailored to their investment goals. ADVERTISEMENT Executive Director Katralnada Binghatti described the move as 'a strategic initiative to deepen Binghatti Holding's investment footprint and enhance access to alternative capital,' underlining ambitions to drive high‑value, income‑generating growth and bolster Dubai's appeal as a global investment destination. CEO Shehzad Janab added that the firm's 'inaugural suite of unique strategies represents a disciplined, well‑structured approach' designed for strong governance and long‑term resilience. DIFC Authority's Chief Business Development Officer, Salmaan Jaffery, welcomed the launch, noting that the centre, home to more than 46,000 financial professionals and over 400 wealth and asset managers, remains the region's top asset-management hub. He said Binghatti's addition would further reinforce DIFC's financial ecosystem. The launch reflects broader market trends in the Gulf, where firms like Amwal Capital Partners are expanding into private‑credit—a form of non‑bank lending offering direct finance to mid‑tier real‑estate developers and other asset‑backed borrowers. Dubai's policy environment, characterised by robust infrastructure investment and tax incentives, has boosted demand for these private‑credit solutions. Industry observers note the move signals a maturing of Dubai's real‑estate landscape, with residential unit completions projected to exceed 243,000 by 2027, presenting ample opportunity for asset managers specialising in this market—particularly with Shariah‑compliant structures gaining traction among global and Gulf investors. Binghatti's pedigree in luxury development, seen in flagship schemes such as Binghatti Ghost in Al Jaddaf, complements its newfound investment ambitions. The firm's announcement of more than 12 projects valued at $2.7 billion reinforces its market clout and provides a foundation for its asset‑management division. By branching into private credit and real‑estate fund management, Binghatti aligns with Dubai's economic diversification goals, channelling institutional capital into strategic sectors and reinforcing the emirate's role as a conduit between East, West, and the Islamic finance community. As the firm rolls out its Shariah‑compliant investment vehicles, its governance frameworks and active management approach will be key to winning trust among discerning professional clients. It will also test how effectively Binghatti can manage investor interests alongside its parent's development pipeline.
