There is also positive response from the local and foreign financial institutions to establish International Islamic Bank, International Takaful Operator, as well as International Currency Business Unit to undertake international currency business in Islamic finance in Malaysia. To date, eight financial institutions have been granted approval to set up such International Currency Business Units in Malaysia. Commercial banks and investment banks licensed under the Banking and Financial Institutions Act 1989 (BAFIA) are allowed to establish International Currency Business Units to carry out Islamic banking business under their existing entities. BIS Review 88/2007  3  To enhance the delivery system to facilitate their establishment, an "executive green lane" has been accorded to expedite applications by expatriates for long-term employment passes with multiple entry visas. In addition, the Foreign Investment Committee rules are also relaxed further to allow for 100 percent foreign equity ownership in these financial institutions. The MIFC portal has also been launched as the primary source of comprehensive online information on the latest initiatives and developments, and enables convenient access to application forms, procedures and guidelines related to entrance and participation in the MIFC. This Portal, is now accessible online at www.mifc.com. The large gathering of practitioners here for these two days to discuss the wide ranging matters that relate to issuers and investors will contribute to enhancing the collective understanding and expanding the boundaries of our knowledge on the opportunities in the sukuk market and the potential that the Malaysian sukuk market provides and its linkages with other international Islamic financial systems.

The establishment of the international standard setting organizations such as the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) and the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), to formulate appropriate prudential and accounting standards that would not only facilitate the process of harmonisation but also contribute to the strengthening of the Islamic financial system. The IFSB has already formulated the prudential treatment for sukuk investment by the Islamic financial institutions as stipulated in the Capital Adequacy Standards. Malaysia's strength in the sukuk market Let me now turn to Malaysia's sukuk market. Significant progress has been achieved in the development of the Malaysian sukuk market. In 2007, Malaysia accounted for about twothirds of the global sukuk outstanding, amounting to about USD47 billion. Malaysia not only represents the largest sukuk market in terms of outstanding size, but also in terms of number of issuance. In developing the sukuk market, Malaysia provides a total solution for sukuk activities by providing a complete sukuk issuance and trading platform, that is supported by four elements: a wide range of Islamic instruments, strong legal and regulatory infrastructure, sound Shariah governance framework and the talent supply. These elements are also further strengthened by Malaysia's comprehensive Islamic financial system with all the key components of the financial system comprising the Islamic banking, takaful, Islamic money and capital markets that are now at an advanced stage of development.