In the development of technical expertise, the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM), the industry training arm, has played an active role in producing well-trained and high calibre individuals with the necessary skills in Islamic finance. IBFIM offers advisory, training and consultancy services on Islamic banking and finance and organise seminars, workshops and conferences to create awareness and training to meet specific requirements of the industry. The programmes on offer include the fundamental aspects of Shariah, Islamic banking and takaful and risk management in Islamic financing. IBFIM has been working closely with the industry to ensure that their training and education programmes are tailored to meet the changing needs of the industry. Ladies and Gentlemen, In conclusion, the future success of Islamic finance will depend on the co-ordinated and concerted collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, namely the Islamic finance practitioners, educators and researchers. In this regard, all parties should put in relentless efforts to continuously promote the development of Islamic finance into one which is progressive, dynamic, responsive and sustainable. While the increasingly more competitive prevailing environment raises the pressures to produce immediate-term results, it is the investment in human capital and in research and development that will secure the long-term sustainability of the industry. With the grace of Allah, and with the support of all those involved in Islamic finance, it is our hope that INCEIF will make a meaningful contribution to the future development of Islamic finance for the benefit of the ummah.

Zeti Akhtar Aziz: Sustaining Islamic banking and finance growth through effective dissemination of information Speech by Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz, Governor of the Central Bank of Malaysia, at the official launching of the Islamic Banking and Takaful Expo: “Sustaining Islamic banking and finance growth through effective dissemination of information”, Kuala Lumpur, 8 October 2004. *  *  *  “The domestic Islamic financial system has reached an unprecedented expansion, successfully operating in parallel with the conventional financial system. The further development of Islamic finance requires for it to be endowed with the right pre-requisites to perform as an effective, efficient, resilient form of financial intermediation that supports wealth creation and sustainable economic growth. At the heart of this effort is the necessity to meet the financial requirements of consumers and businesses. While significant progress has been achieved in the development of the overall Islamic financial infrastructure, financial institutions and products that has been reinforced by the strengthening of the regulatory, Shariah and legal dimensions, there has also to be the effective dissemination of information to promote greater nationwide awareness on Islamic finance, to create a more well-informed society on the virtues and benefits of the financial services being provided. Providing information and knowledge is thus integral in our endeavor to steer the development of the Islamic financial system in Malaysia.” Tuan-tuan dan puan-puan, Saya bersyukur dapat bersama para hadirin semua di Majlis Pelancaran Ekspo Perbankan Islam dan Takaful 2004, anjuran Persatuan Institusi Perbankan Islam Malaysia (AIBIM).