There is thus an explicit emphasis on the economic viability of the underlying assets and on good governance, ethics and transparency. It is these very elements of Islamic finance that provides an in-built mechanism that enhances the prospects for its soundness and stability. BIS Review 141/2009  1  As Islamic finance evolves to meet the changing requirements of businesses and consumers, innovation is integral to the development of new Islamic financial products and services. It is recognised, however, that unfettered financial innovation can become a major source of instability. In Islamic finance, innovation must be tested against the objectives of the Shariah, where the primary objective is the realisation of benefit to the people. This demands the internalisation of Shariah principles in Islamic financial transactions, both in form and substance. Indeed, Shariah-based innovation brings with it a Shariah-compliant culture in the Islamic financial institutions that serves to ensure that the product development process incorporates ethical value propositions. A central bank's perspective From a Central Bank's perspective, ensuring financial stability of the Islamic financial system is the paramount objective. Integral to the efforts in the development of Islamic finance, is therefore, the strengthening of the regulatory and supervisory framework. The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) which was established in 2002 has been instrumental in developing and issuing global prudential standards and guiding principles for the industry. This has included capital adequacy requirements, to governance and risk management standards. The IFSB has also contributed to the harmonisation in the development of Islamic finance across different jurisdictions.

The establishment of talent development and research institutions in Islamic finance are now increasingly wide spread in several jurisdictions with several strategic alliances across borders being entered into. The International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance (INCEIF) in Malaysia was set up by the Central Bank with programmes for practitioners and post-graduate studies to ensure the continuous supply of talent in Islamic finance. The current enrollment in INCEIF are from more than 60 countries attracting students including from the UK, Canada, France and Japan and Korea and the Middle East. Equally important to innovative development is a deeper understanding of Shariah and knowledge of Islamic finance and for a greater convergence in the theoretical understanding and practical considerations in resolving the contemporary issues faced by Islamic financial  BIS Review 141/2009  3  industry players. In this regard, a platform has been established for active engagement and intellectual dialogue among global Shariah scholars, practitioners, regulators and academicians. As the global economy becomes a more interconnected and interdependent, the process of greater convergence of financial standards and mutual recognition of products is also facilitating the international integration of Islamic finance across different jurisdictions. Concluding remarks Let me conclude my remarks. While the inherent strengths of Islamic finance have contributed to its viability and resilience, going forward the foundations for its sustainability as a competitive form of financial intermediation continues to be strengthened.