As the Islamic finance industry continues to strengthen and consolidate its position in the aftermath of the global economic crisis, the World Islamic Banking Conference: Asia Summit (WIBC Asia 2010) could not come at a more opportune time as industry leaders seek new growth paradigms and markets. Held under the theme of Seeking New Growth Horizons, WIBC Asia 2010 provides a high-profile platform for assessing the future outlook for Islamic finance in key Asian markets including China, Japan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore and Turkey.

Leading international institutions have already confirmed their support of this significant event, with the Islamic Bank of Asia and Maybank Islamic already announcing their participation as platinum partners.

The Islamic Bank of Asia ("IB Asia") was established in 2007 as a joint venture partnership between DBS Bank, one of the largest financial services groups in Asia, and prominent investors based in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). This unique shareholding structure affords IB Asia enhanced visibility and intellectual insight across the two leading global Islamic banking hubs of Asia and the GCC, including the wider Middle East. IB Asia's first office in Bahrain was launched in May 08, further strengthening relationships with clients and investors in the GCC.

Speaking ahead of the conference Mr. Tan Jeh Wuan, Managing Director of Corporate Banking and Capital Markets at the Islamic Bank of Asia said:

Maybank Islamic Berhad, a wholly owned subsidiary and the Islamic banking arm of Maybank Group, commenced its operations on 1 January 2008 in conjunction with the transfer of the Islamic banking business of Maybank. It was the first commercial bank to offer Islamic banking products and services through a window concept in 1993. The setting up of Maybank Islamic is also in support of the Government's effort to position Malaysia as an international Islamic financial centre through the MIFC initiatives. Today, Maybank Islamic is Malaysia's largest Islamic bank in a vibrant, strong and highly competitive Islamic banking industry.

WIBC Asia complements the objectives of the world event, providing a powerful platform for industry leaders seeking to build their presence in the dynamically evolving Asian markets for Islamic finance. Building on WIBC's 17 years of tracking the developments and scoping the trends in the global Islamic banking and finance industry, WIBC Asia 2010 will feature insightful debates on the substantial issues facing the Asia banking & finance industry as recession gives way to recovery and new international growth markets open up.

H.E. Heng Swee Keat Governor Monetary Authority of Singapore

Speaking recently at the 16th Annual WIBC in Bahrain last December, H.E. Heng Swee Keat, the Governor of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, said he was pleased that MEGA has decided to bring WIBC Asia to Singapore. He noted that: "Islamic finance will provide an increasingly important bridge in the growing connectivity between the Middle East and Asia. Singapore is pleased to help catalyse deeper relations between these two high-growth regions. WIBC Asia will provide a unique platform for the industry to share experiences from established centres of Islamic finance".