Islamic funds seek socially responsible roadmap

(Reuters) - The Islamic investment sector can widen its customer base by adopting a socially responsible model, according to industry experts, but distribution channels, a sophisticated investor base and incentive schemes need to be enhanced first.

Malaysian Airlines aims for landmark Islamic bond

(Reuters) - Malaysian Airlines (MAS) has proposed the world's first corporate perpetual sukuk, a debt-equity hybrid, its top official said, hoping to raise up to 2.5 billion ringgit ($798 million) from the Asian state's Islamic capital markets.

Bahrain's GFH agrees $110 mln sukuk restructuring

(Reuters) - Bahrain-based Islamic investment bank Gulf Finance House (GFH) has obtained approval to restructure a $110 million Islamic bond, extending repayment for six years, the company said in a statement on Sunday.

You're hired! Islamic finance seeks own Apprentice
(Reuters) - Islamic finance is on the hunt for an apprentice. Dome Advisory, an international sharia advisory firm is launching a nationwide search for talented students at UK universities who can come up with a business plan or research idea that will aid the development of Islamic finance.

Afghanistan mulls Islamic bonds, fearing Western cash cutback
(Reuters) - Afghanistan, which has only a semblance of a capital market, intends to sell Islamic bonds as it braces for a possible sharp fall in Western financial support as the war against the Taliban winds down, a senior central bank official said this week.

Australia's NSW revives Islamic finance push
(Reuters) - The government of the Australian state of New South Wales, home to the country's financial capital Sydney, will send a group to Dubai this week to discuss ways to develop the Islamic finance industry, officials said.

Islamic repo agreements struggle for traction
(Reuters) - Islamic repurchase agreements may struggle to gain wide acceptance as a tool for financial institutions because the industry lacks clear rules governing their use, participants at a major industry conference told Reuters.

AAOIFI urged to improve Islamic auditing system
(Reuters) - Auditors of Islamic financial institutions need better training to make sure they can conduct accurate assessments of products and practices, a major industry conference was told this week.

No windfall from Qatar ban on Islamic windows
(Reuters) - A year after Qatar ordered conventional banks to stop offering Islamic financial services, an expected windfall for its Islamic banks has yet to materialise. Nor is it clear that banks' customers are benefitting from the policy.