ameinfo.com - The recent global financial crises has changed the sentiment for finance and investments. An increased appetite for Islamic Private Equity has surfaced with its own challenges and trends. Joined by over 50 expert regional and global speakers, Ihab Asali, QFIB Head of Private Equity addressed the global rise of Islamic Private Equity at the recently concluded Islamic Investment and Finance Forum, in Istanbul, Turkey. (source)
Participating in a panel entitled Islamic Private Equity: New Trends and Changing Appetites for Islamic Private Equity Investing Post Global Financial Crisis.
Ihab along with other panellists discussed and explored the potential of Islamic Private Equity after the economic downturn, ways to raise Islamic funds and its impact on the Private Equity market and where quality Islamic Private Equity opportunities are likely to emerge.
"The growth of Islamic Private Equity comes at a time when there is a controversy over the credibility of the conventional financial system. Islamic Private Equity is the purest form of Shari'ah-compliant financing since it is structured on a partnership basis. We will continue to see an increased focus on the value and potential contribution of Islamic Private Equity as new markets emerge," said Ihab Asali, QFIB Head of Private Equity.
Investments in the European and North American markets greatly suffered in the 2008 economic meltdown. Fresh start ups GPs were also affected in the MENA region. It took investors time to analyse and react to devaluations in the net asset value from their investment commitments prior to the crisis. The key challenge now is to create the right environment to encourage LPs in the Middle East markets to go back to investing again and capture growth opportunities in markets like North Africa, GCC and Turkey."
"There is no doubt that there is a huge potential for growth in the Islamic Finance arena since today Islamic assets represent less than 1% of total global assets. High Muslim populated countries, like Turkey provide great opportunities for Islamic financing in general and Islamic Private Equity in particular." concluded Asali.
QFIB invested in the Turkish healthcare sector in 2010 by acquiring a stake of Memorial Health group.
Source :http://www.ameinfo.com/279948.html - Nov 1, 2011
