MALAYSIA - OPINION - Malaysia: Taking Islamic finance further

thailand-business-news.com - Malaysia’s Islamic finance sector is further consolidating its position as a market leader, moving to broaden its product range and expand its reach, though it may need to keep an eye on rivals aspiring to emulate its success.

At a recent seminar on Islamic finance held in Istanbul, Mehmet Asutay, the director of the Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance at UK-based Durham University, said Malaysia was positioning itself to capture 25% of the market share in the Islamic banking and finance sectors by 2012. (source)

MALAYSIA - BANKING - Japanese Mizuho asks Malaysia permission to develop Islamic bank

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KUALA LUMPUR - Mizuho Financial Group Inc., the third largest bank in Japan, admitted asking the Malaysian government permission to develop service the shari'a in the neighboring state. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of Mizuho Financial Planning Hiroyuki Yoshinari speak this step is over the opening of branches of Mizuho Malaysia on Monday (5 / 9) ago.

"We have already submitted an application to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) and awaiting approval," he said as reported by The Sun Daily Malaysia. BNM optimistic his side will soon issue a permit erection of this syariah unit. (source)

MALAYSIA - JAPAN - Mizuho To Make Malaysia Global Hub For Islamic Finance

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd (MHCB), one of the oldest banks in Japan, will make Malaysia its global hub for Islamic finance once it receives Bank Negara Malaysia's (BNM) approval.

MHCB, part of Mizuho Financial Group Inc, is one of the world's largest full-service financial conglomerates. (source)