The College of Islamic Studies (CIS) at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) hosted the seventh edition of its CEOs and Islamic Finance Leaders Roundtable on February 28, 2023, at the Minaratein building. 

Organized by the Center for Islamic Economics and Finance at CIS, this year’s roundtable brought together c-level executives from Qatar Central Bank, Qatar Financial Centre, Qatar Development Bank, Qatar International Islamic Bank, Qatar Islamic Bank, Dukhan Bank, Lesha Bank, Citi Islamic Investment bank, and other Qatar’s banking and Islamic finance institutions.

Held under the theme “Qatar’s Economic Growth Post-World Cup: Role of Banks & Financial Institutions,” the roundtable saw Mr. Yousuf Mohamed Al-Jaida, CEO, Qatar Financial Centre, give the keynote address.

The participants’ discussions centered around three critical issues that demand attention and require insights for innovative solutions from Qatar’s banking and Islamic finance sectors: Qatar’s aim at becoming a hub of Islamic sukuk, the Qatar Fintech Strategy, and the Qatar National Climate Change Action Plan. Together, they highlighted the opportunities and challenges borne from these subjects and how they can collaborate with one another and the Qatari government to address them.

“As Qatar seeks to diversify its economy after hosting the world’s largest football tournament, financial institutions will be major players in this collective effort. This roundtable is the ideal platform where decision-makers and leaders from across the country’s financial sector can convene and discuss opportunities to collaborate to realize future economic growth. Furthermore, it allows CIS to share relevant insights into the topics discussed through the lens of our rooted Islamic traditions and scholarship,” said Dr. Recep Şentürk, Dean of CIS. 

In his keynote address, Mr. Al-Jaida said, “Qatar’s mission to become an Islamic Sukuk Hub offers vast opportunities for Islamic finance firms to grow in and from the country.  Against this backdrop, the Qatar Financial Centre has launched Sustainable Sukuk and Bonds Framework, based on the International Capital Markets Association’s Green Bond Principles, Social Bond Principles and Sustainable Bond Guidelines – the first regulatory framework of its kind in the GCC.” 

CIS is a result of a visionary approach to Islamic studies and the thought leadership that defines its contributions on the national, regional, and global scales. The College works to advance the next generation of academics, financial experts, social thinkers, researchers, and practitioners, fostering cross-confessional thinking, and furthering application and understanding of Islamic studies across multiple disciplines.