PRESS RELEASE

KUALA LUMPUR:

Following the success of the inaugural Islamic Finance news Roadshow in 2008, which drew some 2,000 delegates, Islamic Finance news will be hosting the 2009 series of one-day forums in the world’s developing markets for Shariah finance.

These forums are free to attend and enjoy the co-operation of the respective local regulators. Each forum will consist of plenary sessions, presentations and keynote addresses. They will be practitioner-led with Shariah scholars providing the right mix, making the Roadshow a must-attend event.

Media partners for Islamic Finance events include Thomson Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, Eurekahedge, Malaysian Reserve, Oxford Business group and Bloomberg.

The current financial crisis has so far had relatively little impact on Islamic banks as they do not deal in debt trading and market speculation. Bahrain-based Albaraka Banking Group CEO Adnan Ahmed Yousif has stated that Islamic banks do not rely on bonds or stocks, and are not involved in the buying and selling of debt, unlike most conventional European and US banks. He noted that Islamic banking is distinguished by the fact that it is prohibited from buying debts under Shariah law; therefore, Islamic banks are shielded to a large degree from the effects of the global financial crisis.

This offers more reason for the conventional financial markets to take a closer look at their Islamic counterparts.

For 2009, 8 key developing Islamic financial markets have been finalized for the Roadshow, with six return trips and two new locations added.

Organized by the REDmoney Group, the Roadshow will visit 8 cities across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

For more information and to register please visit www.IslamicFinanceEvents.com