27 October 2013
First-ever barometer for the development of the Islamic Finance industry

Initial findings focused on the development of the Islamic Finance educational infrastructure

Analysis shows that the UK and Malaysia are the global leaders in Islamic finance education and research

Dubai, UAE - Thomson Reuters, the world's leading provider of intelligent information for businesses and professionals, announced today the initial findings from its collaboration with the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), the private sector development arm of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB).

Earlier this year, Thomson Reuters and ICD announced the creation of the ICD-Thomson Reuters Islamic Finance Development Indicator (IFDI), a numerical measure representing the overall health and growth of the Islamic finance industry worldwide.  The IFDI, which will be officially launched at the Global Islamic Economy Summit, aims to expand the scope of Thomson Reuters' universe of Islamic finance content, research and news analysis and to develop an unbiased multi-dimensional barometer for the development of the Islamic finance industry.  The indicator measures five key components - quantitative development, governance, social responsibility, knowledge and awareness.   

Russell Haworth, Managing Director, Middle East & North Africa, Thomson Reuters, said:  "This indicator, the first of its kind for the Islamic Economy, will provide companies with much needed unbiased and reliable multi-dimensional analysis regarding the development of the Islamic finance industry.  The development of Islamic finance educational infrastructure will be a key driver for the establishment of the Islamic finance industry, which is why we chose the topic for our first IFDI analysis."

Based on its analysis, the IFDI has found that the UK is the global leader in Islamic finance education with over 60 institutions offering Islamic finance courses and 22 universities offering degree programs specializing in Islamic finance.

Malaysia and the UAE, both established global Islamic finance hubs, followed the UK in terms of a comprehensive Islamic finance education infrastructure.  Malaysia has 50 course providers and 18 universities offering degree programs, whilst the UAE has 31 course providers and 9 universities offering degree programs. Pakistan was placed fourth, with 22 course providers and 9 universities offering degree programs.  The IFDI recorded 420 institutions offering courses in Islamic finance and over 113 universities offering Islamic finance degrees.

Malaysia also led in terms of research published on Islamic finance in the last three years, with 169 research papers, of which 101 were peer reviewed. The UK and USA followed with 111 research papers (56 peer reviewed) and 73 research papers (39 peer reviewed) respectively. A total of 655 research papers were issued globally on Islamic finance in the last three years, of which 354 were peer reviewed.

Khaled Al-Aboodi, Chief Executive Officer, Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector, said:  "Today's findings are a perfect example as to how and why the IFDI can identify the critical growth components of the Islamic Finance industry.  Our research shows that countries that build their educational infrastructure can benefit most from the growth of their Islamic finance industries.  Through their research and thought leadership countries, like the UK, Malaysia and the UAE have the potential to significantly influence the direction of the regional Islamic finance sector."

Dr Sayd Farook, Global Head of Islamic Capital Markets for Thomson Reuters, said: "Research is an important metric used by the IFDI to assess the depth of knowledge dimension within the Islamic finance industry.   Our initial research indicates that the industry lacks the availability of in-depth research which, in turn, limits innovation and development.  Thomson Reuters is committed to leading the charge in information and analysis to support the global Islamic finance industry."

The Global Islamic Economy Summit, organised by Thomson Reuters and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will take place on 25th & 26th November 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  For more information and to register for the event, please visit www.globalislamiceconomy.com.   

-ENDS-

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial and risk, legal, tax and accounting, intellectual property and science and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs approximately 60,000 people and operates in over 100 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the Toronto and New York Stock Exchanges. For more information, go to thomsonreuters.com

About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral developmental organization affiliated with the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group. Its authorized capital stands at $2.0 billion. Its shareholders consist of the IDB, 52 member countries, and five public financial institutions. Headquartered in Jeddah, KSA, the ICD was established by the IDB Board of Governors during its 24th annual meeting held in Jeddah in November 1999.

The mandate of the ICD is to support the economic development of its member countries through provision of finance to private sector projects in accordance with the principles of Sharia'a law i.e., Islamic Law.

CONTACT
Tarek Fleihan
PR Manager, Middle East, Africa & Russia / CIS, Thomson Reuters
+97144536527
Email: tarek.fleihan@thomsonreuters.com 

Nabil El Alami
Division Head - Group Marketing & Communication, ICD
+966 2 646 8192
Email: NAlami@isdb.org

© Press Release 2013