Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh and International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA), Malaysia jointly organised a four-day long (26-29 September 2020) “Workshop on Issuance and Management of Sukuk in Bangladesh”. The Inaugural ceremony of the workshop was held on September 26 at 10:30am (Bangladesh Time) through online zoom platform. The workshop will be conducted everyday from 2:00pm to 5:30pm.
Finance Secretary of the Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh Mr Abdur Rouf Talukder participated in the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest. The special guests included: Executive Director of International Shari’ah Research Academy for Islamic Finance (ISRA) Prof. Dr. Mohamad Akram Laldin, Secretary General of Bahrain based Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Mr. Omar Mustafa Ansari, Former Finance Secretary of the Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Arastoo Khan, Director General of Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) Mr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Ph.D, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank Mr. Syed Tariquzzaman, Chairman of Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd. Prof. Md. Nazmul Hassan, Ph.D, Chairman of Social Islami Bank Ltd. Prof. Md. Anwarul Azim Arif, Chairman of Standard Bank Ltd. Mr. Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of Al-Arafah Islami Bank Ltd. Mr. Alhajj Abdus Samad, Chairman of the Executive Committee of Bank Asia Ltd. Mr. Rumee A Hossain, eminent economist Dr. M. Kabir Hassan. Besides, eminent persons took part in the ceremony as guests. Chairman (Acting) of Central Shariah Board Mr. M. Azizul Huq chaired the event while Secretary General of the Board Mr. Md. Abdullah Sharif moderated it.
Finance Secretary Mr. Abdur Rouf Talukder in his speach said the Government is shortly going to introduce Sukuk (Islamic bonds) for development activities. Many countries of the world practise this product. So, we intend to introduce Shariah based Islamic bonds in Bangladesh also to continue development process. Chairman of the event Mr. M. Azizul Huq said Government of Bangladesh is thinking for introducing Sukuk very soon. Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has issued relevant regulations by this time. Bangladesh Bank is also going to finalize required guidelines in this regard. Some corporates including banks are eagerly waiting for introducing Sukuk in the Bangladeshi market.
About 250 persons directly participated in the opening ceremony. Besides, a large number of people enjoyed the ceremony through Facebook page and Youtube channel of Central Shariah Board. The workshop started at 2.00 pm. 165 executives and officers from 45 Institutions including Finance Ministry, Bangladesh Bank, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission, BIBM, different commercial banks, House Building Finance Corporation, Invesment Corporation, Asset Management Company, Merchant Bank etc. took part in the workshop. ATN Bangla Television, The Financial Express and Daily Bonik Barta are broadcasting and publishing special news highlighting the significance of this event as media partners of the workshop.