Apart from the Core Capital and Tier-2 Capital, Bank Negara Malaysia will consider the Profit Sharing Investment Accounts to be part of the overall Islamic banking capital fund for the purpose of determining the single customer limit. BIS Review 43/2006  1  Ladies and Gentlemen, Thus far, there are 7 Islamic banking window arrangements that have been transformed into subsidiaries. Six have now commenced operations. Together with two full fledged Islamic banking institutions and the 3 new foreign Islamic banking players, Malaysia now has 12 Islamic banking institutions operating under the Islamic Banking Act. There are also 9 takaful operators, including the 4 new takaful operators that will commence business later this year. With this diversity of players and the larger number of institutions that has been established in the Islamic financial system, it is envisaged that the development of the sector will gain further momentum with new areas, such as fund and wealth management, also gaining increased significance. In the more recent period, domestic Islamic financial institutions have ventured on business opportunities beyond the domestic shores to tap the tremendous potential markets abroad, particularly, in the Asian region. Banking institutions therefore, need to build their capacity to be able to take advantage of these potential markets that are still relatively untapped. Ladies and Gentlemen, Against the backdrop of the rapid expansion of the Islamic finance sector, there is also the need to intensify efforts to provide adequate training at all levels - technical and frontline staff, middle management and senior management levels.

This is important to ensure a sustained supply of human talent to support the long-term growth of Islamic finance. To meet this requirement, a complete training infrastructure has been established. Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM), which is an industry-owned training institute, will now focus on providing technical programmes in Islamic finance. The recently launched International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) will provide professional certification as well as postgraduate programmes. The INCEIF flagship programme, the Certified Islamic Finance Professional certification programme, is scheduled to begin on 1 June 2006. For leadership development programmes, ICLIF will play its role in developing leaders to serve the industry, providing facilities for education in Islamic finance to not only support the development of the domestic Islamic financial system, but to also position Malaysia as an international centre for education in Islamic finance. And in so doing, this will contribute towards the global development of Islamic finance. Industry players therefore have the opportunity to assist their staff to acquire the necessary skills at these institutions. The Islamic financial institutions also require forward-looking leaders to steer the industry in the more demanding and challenging environment. Ladies and Gentlemen, The huge potential in Islamic finance can only be realised if sufficient resources and drive are accorded to it. In conclusion, let me take this opportunity to congratulate the AmBank Group on the initiative to establish its own Islamic banking subsidiary and provide the necessary resources and support to ensure its success.