MALAYSIA HOSTS ISLAMIC FINANCE SEMINAR IN NAMIBIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- The High Commission of Malaysia in Windhoek, Namibia, has organised an Islamic finance seminar on Wednesday to cater to the growing interest among numerous Namibian financial institutions in understanding Islamic finance as an alternative to conventional banking systems.

It was attended by around 30 participants from various Namibian financial institutions, including officials from the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board, Covest Wealth Management, TRUSTCO Bank, Bank Windhoek, Bank BIC Namibia, the Bankers Association of Namibia, First National Bank, and the Financial Advisors of Namibia.

Malaysia’s acting High Commissioner to Namibia, Datuk Dr Mohamad Rameez Yahaya, in a statement said hosting of the event was timely as it coincided with Namibia's upcoming fifth consecutive election cycle, which is expected to yield unprecedented results. 

He said the country's leadership is considering a shift from previous economic approaches to more modern and pragmatic solutions for its various economic issues, thereby, opening the door for new ideas and concepts.

Rameez said through the seminar, Malaysia hoped to contribute to this new thinking by providing insights into alternative financial management strategies that align with Namibia's strategic socio-economic priorities.

“The event is to serve as a mere precursor and as a platform to a more comprehensive and in-depth multidisciplinary training and information programme on Islamic banking and Islamic finance that is being considered for next year, depending on the feedback and expression of interest of the Namibian political and financial communities,” he said.

Among the speakers at the seminars were Waafi Bank chairman Dr Mohd Ashraf Iqbal and Chartered Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals chief executive officer Dr Azura Othman, who shared their expertise in Islamic banking.

Rameez said there were also requests from participants for the Malaysian presenters to provide in-depth workshop on knowledge and workings of the Islamic finance.

-- BERNAMA