12th Meeting of the OIC Member States Stock Exchanges’ Forum was held on September 11, 2018 at Conrad İstanbul Bosphorus Otel with the participation of Member representatives and distinguished speakers. In order to provide a dedicated platform and communication channel for the representatives of the relevant OIC organizations and institutions, to discuss international cooperation activities, and to offer participants the opportunity to share their experiences, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States’ Stock Exchanges Forum was initated in 2005. The annual meetings of the Forum, which have been organized by Borsa İstanbul since then, brought senior executives of participating institutions and other related institutions such as IIFM, IFSB, SESRIC, AAOFI, ICDT, IDB, AFE together in İstanbul.
Selçuk KOÇ, Director of COMCEC Cooperation Office delivered a welcoming speech, where he told that the Forum provides a platform where participating institutions can share their experiences with other members in order to contribute the development of markets. Moreover, he emphasized the importance of the researches which Forum conducts on the topics of gold exchange, Shariah Index and Index-based products among OIC Member States.
In his opening remarks, CEO and Board Member of Borsa İstanbul Murat Çetinkaya said: “Well-known experts in Islamic Finance will touch upon various issues including Sharia compliance for Capital Market İnfrastructure, using innovative Sukuk structures to finance development infrastructure and ways for a positive impact for empowerment of the Islamic Capital Markets. I believe that tangible plans will be discussed for the future during this 12th meeting of the Forum.”
After welcoming speechs, “Sharia Compliance for Capital Markets Infrastructure Institutions” themed panel was organized. Secretary General of IFSB Dr. Bello Lawal Danbatta, Chief Executive Officer of IIFM Ijlal Ahmed Alvi and Senior Manager of AAOIFI Mohammad Majd Bakir attended as speakers. Besides, the presentations were delivered by INCEIF member Prof. Dr. Obiyathulla Ismath Bacha and Director of Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance Prof. Dr. Mehmet Asutay at the Forum.