Manama, KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN, 28 September 2015

At the 5th Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) 2015 held at the Gulf Convention Center, the CEO of Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), Mr Khaled Al-Aboodi, was awarded the prestigious "Islamic Finance Personality of the Year" for his outstanding contribution to the development of the Global Islamic finance industry.

Hailed as the most respectable market-led awards in Islamic banking and finance, the Global Islamic Finance Awards (GIFA) aims to highlight the best practices in Islamic banking and finance, and honor the efforts and contributions of individuals and institutions in the Islamic finance industry.  The  award ceremony was attended by HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano, amongst other distinguished guests.

Previous award recipients of GIFA include notable leaders such as Tun Abdullah Badawi, former Prime Minister of Malaysia, HRH Sultan Nazrin, Sultan of State of Perak, Malaysia, HE Shaukat Aziz, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and HE Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan.

Upon receiving the award, Mr Khaled Al-Aboodi stated, "I am extremely honored and humbled to join the list of past recipients for this prestigious award. The GIFA is the perfect celebration for the commendable role that industry leaders and stakeholders play in order to drive Islamic finance growth in the global sphere. I am always fascinated by their determination, innovation and the contributions they make to the industry. The individuals and firms honored today will no doubt play a crucial role in the furtherance of the Islamic finance industry. I can assure you that ICD remains dedicated in its pursuit for the adoption of Islamic Finance within the mainstream global financial system."

"ICD remains on the forefront of all the new developments in Islamic banking and finance, and the man behind this success story is none other than Khaled Al-Aboodi," said Professor Humayon Dar, founder and chairman of GIFA. He confirmed that the Awards Committee unanimously voted in favour of Khaled Al-Aboodi.

-Ends-

About the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)
The Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD) is a multilateral organization, part of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Group. ICD was established in November 1999 to promote economic development of its member countries in accordance with the principles of the Shari'a through private sector development. ICD encourages the establishment, expansion and modernization of private enterprises through financing private sector enterprises or projects. Projects are selected on the basis of their contribution to economic development considering factors such as creation of employment opportunities and contribution to exports. ICD also provides advice to governments and private sector groups on policies to encourage the establishment, expansion and modernization of private enterprises, development of capital markets, best management practices and enhance the role of market economy. ICD operations complement the activities of the IDB.

For further information please contact:
Ahmed A Khalid / Nabil Al-Alami
Regional Head - Asia / Head, Marketing
E-mail: aabdulkhalid@isdb.org / nalami@isdb.org
Website: www.icd-idb.org

© Press Release 2015