MALAYSIA - TAKAFUL - Takaful Ehsan looks beyond Malaysia - also Indonesia

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/ehsan11/Article/index_html

KUALA LUMPUR: ING Public Takaful Ehsan Bhd has set its sights on penetrating the overseas takaful market by 2015, said its top executive.

The Islamic insurance operator plans to leverage on its shareholders, ING and Public Bank, which has presence in several global market such as India, China, Indonesia and Indochina.

"A significant strategy of Takaful Ehsan is to embark on a global market penetration strategy after three years in operation," chief executive Saiful Yazan Ahmad told Business Times in a recent interview. (source)

WORLD - HALAL - Asean Needs To Explore World Halal Food Industry, Says Asean Sec-Gen

HAT YAI, July 28 (Bernama) -- Asean countries need to tap the vast potential existing in the world's halal food industry against a backdrop of improved economic status among Muslims countries, said the grouping's Secretary General Dr Surin Pitsuwan.

"The rise in middle-income population gives an opportunity for Asean countries to conquer this industry as the world's halal market stood at US$25 trillion, annually. (source)

THAILAND - Islamic Bank sees market potential in Upper South

The Islamic Bank of Thailand (IBank) plans to expand its financial services to the upper southern provinces to support Muslim communities affected by recent flooding, according to president Dheerasak Suwannayos.

The bank will focus on Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Trang provinces for its business expansion, which is scheduled for the second quarter this year after the flooding eases. (full story)