Dubai, UAE – Wethaq (Capital Markets), a FinTech regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), announces that it has joined as a member of the RFI Foundation as it seeks opportunities to facilitate more green, social and sustainable sukuk, and demonstrate its commitment as a ‘responsible FinTech’. Wethaq, which is focused on improving the market infrastructure supporting the issuance, administration and distribution of Sukuk securities sees a substantial opportunity for sukuk which today makes up only a small part of the green, social and sustainable bond market.
Wethaq sees an opportunity using its technology to digitize the costly and lengthy elements of sukuk issuance process to streamline the process for issuing into what the Climate Bonds Initiative estimates is a $350 to $400 billion primary market in 2020. With additional requirements for issuers to pursue green, social and sustainable sukuk, there is an opportunity for issuers to streamline the process using Wethaq’s technology.
Both issuers and Islamic investors will benefit with increased supply of green, social and sustainable sukuk which is projected to grow by 50% this year. The UAE will be a source of increased demand in 2020 supported by as investors and financial institutions begin to align their operations with the recently announced Guiding Principles for Sustainable Finance, which covers both Islamic and conventional investors and financial institutions.
By joining RFI Foundation, Wethaq will be able to link up with a global network of institutions including many who are active in leading the adoption of responsible finance within Islamic finance. In addition to the footprint in Islamic finance, the RFI Foundation is unique by promoting awareness for the role that Islamic finance has within the global responsible finance industry.
Mohammed Alsehli, CEO of Wethaq, commented: “We look forward to being an active member in the RFI Foundation. RFI has brought together a critical mass of participants interested in the development of Islamic finance which will support our vision to increase the supply of green, social and sustainable sukuk as a part of the work required to build up the supply of sukuk to meet demand from banks, asset managers and others whose demand has gone unmet to date.”
Blake Goud, CEO of RFI Foundation added: “We are excited for Wethaq to join the RFI Foundation and see increasing focus from capital market participants including issuers and investors who will take the efficiencies offered by Wethaq’s technology to increase the share of green, social and sustainable sukuk being issued.”
About Wethaq (Capital Markets)
Wethaq (Capital Markets) is a financial technology (FinTech) company developing securities market infrastructure for the Islamic capital markets. With its combination of financial technology and investment banking expertise, Wethaq streamlines the primary issuance, administration and distribution of sukuk securities. Wethaq is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and operates out of Dubai, Riyadh and London.
Visit us at www.wethaq.capital
About RFI Foundation
The RFI Foundation is a non-profit organisation with a mission to identify a neutral, nonpartisan and universal value proposition that encourages convergence of responsible finance practices. RFI evolves Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing (SRI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and the Islamic finance sectors towards a convergence of their shared standards, and engages stakeholders to build the responsible finance industry as a catalyst to support equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic development.
The RFI Foundation works in consultation with our members to enhance and institutionalise the linkages between Islamic finance and other forms of responsible finance including:
- Connecting members with resources to support their responsible finance awareness;
- Consulting with members on their own responsible finance journeys; and,
- Creating new research, tools and other resources to support our members and influence the direction of the entire responsible finance market.
Visit us at www.rfi-foundation.org
Media Contacts
Blake Goud, CEO, RFI Foundation
blake.goud@rfi-foundation.org
Mohammed Alsehli, CEO, Wethaq (Capital Markets)
malsehli@wethaq.capital
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
