Industry knowledge and information

Al Maalya, through its "Knowledge and Information" department, dedicates a substantial part of its efforts to building and upholding knowledge on the Islamic Finance industry, within or outside the context of client engagements.

It has also developed an efficient collaboration partnership with a dedicated research group, comprising people from academic and professional worlds: the CEREI (Cercle de Recherche et d'Etude en Economie Islamique).

According to its clients' needs, Al Maalya "Knowledge and Information" has identified two main streams of information needed in Islamic finance, i.e., (1) assessment of existing market, and (2) estimate of market potential.

These information segments constitute the two pillars and priorities of Al Maalya "Knowledge and Information" department.

Examples of recent client work include:

• At International level, a full assessment of the current market situation in Islamic Finance, comprising of a full range of financial indicators. Our client information tool, named IFIRST, is the very first exhaustive and scientifically built information tool of its kind existing in this field.
• At European Union level, a detailed estimate of market potential for new players in retail Islamic finance in various EU member countries.
• At Belgian level, a detailed market survey of potential needs of financial services and products by the Belgian Muslim community, taking into account religious and socio-economic features of the Muslim population in the Belgian context.

Personnel or management training

The fast growth pace of the Islamic Finance Industry has resulted in a lack of professionals with sufficient knowledge on Islamic Finance concepts and practice.

Depending on its clients specific needs, Al Maalya will look for the most appropriate training decision, through two (non mutually exclusive) options:

• Option 1: through its well established network - both academic and professional – Al Maalya can advise on the best training and education programmes worldwide. Al Maalya receives clients to set up with them a customized "Islamic Finance Knowledge Development Plan", establishing a detailed programme and budget for events and / or trainings attendance, to fulfil client-specific objectives.
• Option 2: Al Maalya can provide you, in its Brussels location or at the client's site, with a customized training and/or education programme on Islamic Finance.