Growing potential in Asia’s economies supports expansion of Islamic finance, with a robust growth prospects, unique demographics, strong political support, and large investor base. The region’s efforts towards greater integration, including financial integration, provide a solid growth for a strong Islamic financial industry and provide confidence to tout Asia as the future leader for Islamic finance.

During the global financial crisis and its aftermath, Islamic financial institutions were less affected, protected by their fundamental operating principles of risk sharing and the avoidance of leverage and speculative financial products. This has led to a greater appreciation of the role of Islamic finance in supporting economic growth across the globe. With its in-built principles that support financial stability, inclusiveness and economic development, Islamic finance lends itself well to catalysing and promoting real economic.

Ethical, equitable, social and sustainable investments are all synonymous to both Islamic finance and SRI. In both instances, investors seek to achieve a strong return on their investments; and similarly, to take into account the social returns and society. Therefore understanding the scope of SRI and Islamic fiance are essential in order to match the available opportunities.

As the Islamic financial industry continues to evolve and experience growth, it is also gaining sophistication in its appeal to demanding investors. As a prime example, Shariah-compliant Private Equity/Venture Capital (PE/VC) is an ideal model for Islamic finance as it represents the participatory modes of financing imbued with risk sharing concept. There is a very close relationship between conventional and Islamic PE/VC, in the sense that both offer a risk sharing concept rather than risk transfer. The equity-based structure and profit sharing nature, making it an ideal match for the Shariah-seeking investors.

Integration between the world halal industry and the global Islamic finance system is a huge developmental potential for the growth and expansion of Islamic economics in the world markets. Increasing demand for halal products from growing Muslim communities provides opportunities for Islamic finance to ensure a complete cycle of Shariah-compliant products and services.

In just four decades, Islamic finance has grown from a niche banking system to be regarded as one of the fastest growing segments of the global financial industry, with total global financial assets estimated to be around USD2tln. The past five years have been most significant, recording 17.3% Compounded Annual Growth Rate spurred by improved industry infrastructure, a more comprehensive industry, broader investor and issuer base and consequently, with more cross-border transactions. Adding further to its global status, Islamic Finance has attracted the attention of advanced economies to tap into this growing market; testament to its universal appeal and propositions.

As the Islamic financial industry continues to experience exponential growth, offshore financial centers (OFCs) are keen to market their value for the development of Islamic financial products. OFCs are working towards establishing comprehensive eco-systems to gain competitive advantages over other jurisdictions for Islamic finance. Most OFCs promote the element of low taxes or low costs of doing business to attract international Islamic finance businesses.

The financial sector plays a critical role in the socio-economic development of any country. Islamic finance was designed as a just and ethical financial system, supporting the efficient allocation of resources both for wealth creation purposes, as well as the betterment of society. Islamic finance is expected to further enhance socio-economic well-being in countries in which it operates, both through supporting the financial needs of households and businesses in a Shariah-compliant manner; as well as through additional support via zakat, waqf and Islamic microfinance.

Governments around the world are increasingly viewing financial inclusion as an important part of economic development. More than 50 countries have set formal targets and ambitious goals for financial inclusion which is critical in poverty alleviation and in line with the main features of a Shariah-compliant. While various Shariah-compliant programmes in Malaysia, Bangladesh and Indonesia have seen significant success in poverty alleviation in those countries, substantial improvements are needed in terms of financial infrastructure to enable the world’s poor to benefit from economic advancement. With proper infrastructure and regulations in place Islamic finance will eventually contribute to a more inclusive economic growth.