MUSCAT : The highly anticipated Themar Islamic Banking Conference and Excellence Awards 2024, held in collaboration with the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and Muscat Stock Exchange as Strategic Partners, and the Oman Banks Association as the Logistics Partner, will have Bank Nizwa powering the event, and Alizz Islamic Bank serving as the main sponsor.

It will feature His Excellency Abdulsalam Al Murshidi, President of the Oman Investment Authority, as the chief guest. H.E. Al Murshidi’s presence underscores the event’s significance in advancing discussions on Islamic finance and its role in economic stability.

Haitham Al Salmi, Chief Executive Officer of Muscat Stock Exchange, will deliver the keynote address. With over 21 years of experience in the capital markets and securities industry, Al Salmi is expected to offer valuable insights into the intersection of Islamic finance and economic stability.

Rashid Zayid Al Ghassani, Executive Vice President for Supervision & Regulation Sector at the Central Bank of Oman, will open the conference with a keynote address, setting the stage for a day of high-level discussions. Khalid Jamal Al Kayed, Chief Executive Officer of Bank Nizwa, will provide remarks on behalf of the organizing partner, highlighting the conference’s objectives and goals.

The main show will field Ali Ahmed Al Lawati, Assistant General Manager at Meethaq Corporate Banking, who will discuss key developments in corporate banking within the Islamic finance sector.

A panel discussion, moderated by Salim Saif Al Abdali, a prominent writer and economic analyst, will delve into ‘Financial Transactions in Oman: Performance and Outcomes’. Panellists will include:

1. Dr. Majid bin Mohammed Al Kindi, Chairman of the Sharia Board at Bank Nizwa and Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University
2. Dr. Yousef Hamed Al Balushi, Founder of Smart Investment Gateway
3. Saif Salim Al Busaidi, CEO of Imam Jabir Bin Zaid Foundation
4. Talal Ali Ashraf Al Zadjali, CEO of Oman Bank Association
5. Issa Al Riyami, Head of Shari’a Audit & Compliance at Alizz Islamic Bank
6. Yasser Al Mawali, Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Alizz Islamic Bank
7. Sami Bait Rashid, Assistant General Manager at Meethaq Personal Banking

Mustafa Al Naabi, Deputy Manager of Shari’a Training at Bank Nizwa, will lead an open workshop on Shari’a standards by AAOIFI (Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions), offering attendees a deeper understanding of the regulatory and compliance aspects of Islamic finance.

On the sidelines of the conference, TAS will also present the highly anticipated Themar Islamic Banking Excellence Awards 2024, which has been assessed by a committee of industry leaders chaired by His Highness Dr. Adham Al Said, Assistant Professor at Sultan Qaboos University’s College of Economics and Political Science.

The awards will set new benchmarks in Islamic finance by fostering dialogue among industry leaders, showcasing innovative solutions, and exploring future trends. The awards will recognize outstanding achievements in categories such as Best Islamic Bank, Best Islamic Banking Window, Best Sharia-Compliant Investment, Best Takaful Financing and Insurance Companies, Best Islamic Banking Personality (CEO/General Manager), Digital Transformation, Sustainability, and Startups.

With a distinguished panel of speakers and a focus on critical issues in Islamic finance, the conference promises to be a landmark event for the sector, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic insights.

For all the latest news from Oman and GCC, follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.