The International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) today released its much awaited IIFM Sukuk Report (3rd Edition) which consists of A Comprehensive Study of the Global Sukuk Market. The research report sheds light on the growth and development of international and domestic Sukuk issuances from 2001 – Jan 2013. Mr. Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, Chief Executive Officer of IIFM said, “The last two years were record years of Sukuk issuances which reached US$92.4bio and US$ 137bio in 2011 and 2012 respectively. This year has also started on a positive note and as per the report over US$11bio worth of Sukuk was issued in January 2013 and the growth trend is expected to continue in coming years". The report also highlights the different Sukuk structures used by international Sukuk issuers as well as Sukuk structures used at domestic level by various jurisdictions active in issuing Sukuk. The report also contains selected Sukuk case studies in the international Sukuk market providing deeper understanding of the mechanism and uniqueness of the most popular commonly used fixed profile instruments in the Islamic Capital and Money Market. “An interesting trend or innovation in Sukuk issuances also highlighted by this report is Sukuk issuance in non-local currency such as an issuer based in UAE issuing a Sukuk in Malaysian Ringgit and a issuer based in Malaysia issuing a Sukuk in Chinese Yuan etc., this is another positive development and will certainly further contribute in the development of the Sukuk market. The risk arising from currency or rate of return mismatches can be managed by Islamic hedging documentation and product standards being published by IIFM and ISDA and will provide further confidence to investors in Sukuk," said Mr. Alvi. Another salient feature of this report is the clarification on the meaning and types of Sukuk Al Istithmar (Investment Sukuk) in order to provide more beneficial information to the market. IIFM is thankful to the Central Bank of Bahrain for its constant and continued support as well as to the IIFM Board of Directors and member institutions. IIFM is also thankful to Ministry of Finance-Indonesia, Al Hilal Bank, HSBC, Noor Islamic Bank, Clifford Chance LLP, Linklaters LLP and FWU Group for providing contributions to the report. About IIFM IIFM is the Islamic Financial Services Industry's standard-setting organization focused on the Islamic Capital & Money Market (ICMM) segment of the industry. Its primary focus lies in the standardization of Islamic financial products, documentation and related processes at the global level. IIFM also contributes in the development of ICMM by organizing specialized industry seminars, workshops and consultative meetings as well as research on Sukuk issuances worldwide. IIFM was founded with the collective efforts of the Central Bank of Bahrain, Islamic Development Bank (a multilateral institution based in Saudi Arabia), Autoriti Monetari (i.e. Monetary Authority) Brunei Darussalam, Bank Indonesia, Bank Negara Malaysia (delegated to Labuan Financial Services Authority) and the Central Bank of Sudan as a neutral and non-profit organization. Besides the founding members, IIFM is supported by other jurisdictional members such as State Bank of Pakistan, Dubai International Financial Centre as well as a number of regional and international financial institutions and other market participants.
