Welcome to the September issue of MIF Monthly

First off, we’d like to thank those who participated in the third MIF Issuers and Investors Forum (MIF 2008) held at the Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur last month.

In conjunction with the Malaysia International Islamic Financial Centre (MIFC)’s launch of its global communications campaign at the MIF 2008, our cover story further expounds the challenges it faces in strengthening the country’s economic and financial linkages across the world. MIF Monthly sought the views of the different players involved on the initiatives and incentives offered by MIFC, and what can be done to propel Malaysia’s development into an international Islamic financial hub.

MIF Monthly speaks exclusively to Asian Finance Bank’s new CEO, Datuk Mohamed Azahari Kamil, on being the first local to helm a foreign Islamic bank in Malaysia. He reveals the strategies he has chartered for AFB and the results he hopes to achieve.

We also speak to Steven Choy, president and CEO of Cagamas, on the overwhelming response to its commodity Murabahah Sukuk — which was not only the largest of such issuance so far this year, but also represents the largest Sukuk of its kind ever to be issued in the Malaysian market.

In our regular Legal section, Noreeta Mohd Nor explores Musharakah Mutanaqisah as an Islamic financing alternative to Bai Bithaman Ajil (BBA) while Affin Fund Management gets back to basics in its article, “Islamic Unit Trust Funds Gaining Ground Among Investors”, which also highlights frequently asked questions on the matter.

We hope you enjoy reading this month’s issue. If any of your colleagues, clients or associates are interested in the Malaysian Islamic capital market, please forward this email to them so that they too may enjoy this FREE monthly newsletter.

Should you have any comments, feedback or enquiries, or if you are interested in writing for the newsletter, do get in touch.

Happy reading!