INDONESIA - BANKING - Islamic Bank Can not Rely on Product Standards Again

WWW.REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - The Islamic Bank rated could no longer rely on standard products to attract customers. Competition in the banking industry is considered to be very tight. Moreover, predicted to spur investment grade bank performance that will further increase competition.

The vice president's chief business officer MarkPlus, Taufik, said the economic growth factor also affecting competition in banking products. According to him, making the country's economic growth further reducing collateral on citizens. Therefore, banks must innovate to offer a variety of products to suit the needs of residents.  (source)

WORLD - WORLD BANK - PUBLICATIONS - The Role of Islamic Finance in Enhancing Financial Inclusion in Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Countries

Policy Research Working Paper 5920 - Abstract

The core principles of Islam lay great emphasis on socialjustice, inclusion, and sharing of resources between thehaves and the have nots. Islamic finance addresses theissue of “financial inclusion” or “access to finance” fromtwo directions—one through promoting risk-sharing contracts that provide a viable alternative to conventionaldebt-based financing, and the other through specific instruments of redistribution of the wealth among thesociety. Use of risk-sharing financing instruments can offer Shariah-compliant microfinance, financing for smalland medium enterprises, and micro-insurance to enhance access to finance. (more info hereunder or download the paper)

MALAYSIA - RESEARCH - ISRA embarks on ambitious strategic plan to strengthen its global reach

The Kuala Lumpur-based International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA), the Shariah research entity of Bank Negara Malaysia, the central bank, has embarked on an ambitious strategic plan for 2012 which focuses on strengthening its global reach, further enhancing the quality of its activities and increasing its connectivity with market players and industry stakeholders. (source)

MALAYSIA - PUBLICATIONS - Islamic Pawn Broking Malaysia (KFH Malaysia)

Islamic Finance Research :"Islamic Pawn Broking – Malaysia" – 29 September 2011

2011-09-29 -You must be logged in to view this report. Download This Report

Extract:

One of the rapidly growing microfinancing products that has flourished over the last decade is the Islamic pawn broking business, alternatively known as Ar-Rahn or Rahnu. Ar-Rahn is an activity whereby a valuable item is collateralised to a debt which may be utilised as payment should the debt remain unpaid within the agreed period.

this report is subscription based - website

MALAYSIA - PUBLICATIONS - ISRA Research Papers 25 and 26

Analysis Of Legal Disputes In Islamic Finance And The Way Forward: With Special Reference To A Study Conducted At Muamalat Court, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Hakimah Yaacob	Pioneering Thoughts On Commodity Hawalah: Facilitating The Trading Of Debt?  Prof. Dr. Ashraf Md Hashim & Eqhwan Mokhzanee Muhammad
Summary and download links here under

PUBLICATIONS - ISRA Resarch papers

A Critical Appraisal of International Islamic Finance Cases, and the Way Forward Hakimah Yaacob, Researcher ISRA	Application of Wa'ad In Equity Based Sukuk Empirical Evidence Shabnam Mokhtar
Market Segmentation And The Shari'ah Compliancy Process In Islamic Banking Iinstitutions (IBIs) Dr. Rusnah Muhamad	The Framework of Maqasid Al-Shari'ah (Objectives of the Shari'ah) And Its Implications in Islamic Finance Assoc. Prof. Dr. Asyraf Wajdi & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Said Bouheraoua