Financial Times series on Islamic Finance 2007

The Financial Times has a series on Islamic Finance 2007.

This includes the following articles and reports :

• Backwater sector moves into global mainstream Phenomenal growth has caused surprise and some concern, write Roula Khalaf and Gillian Tett.
• Innovation: Frenzied race to develop new ideas A bitter struggle has broken out among competing banks, writes Gillian Tett.
• Opinion: Mahmoud El-Gamal: Incoherent pietism and Sharia arbitrage The primary beneficiaries of Islamic finance are international law firms, says Rice University professor Mahmoud El-Gamal.
• Products: No interest – but big deposits of ingenuity David Oakley looks at how conventional finance transactions have been replicated.
• Insurance: Putting a premium on a foothold in the market Big names are piling in despite the need to adhere to strict norms, writes Andrea Felsted.
• Supervision and regulation: Experts see need for a common approach More standards would underpin expansion, says Roula Khalaf.
• Investment banks: Wide array of new names join the party Rich opportunities are bringing in more western banks, writes Gillian Tett.
• Profile: HSBC: Islamic business is part of the global fabric HSBC’s Islamic finance business is moving towards more structured financing products, reports Gillian Tett.
• Profile: Saudi Arabia: Demand leads to dominance Sharia-compliant banking has really taken off in the kingdom only during the past decade, says Andrew England.
• Profile: Malaysia: Experience and regulation bring strength in depth Malaysian officials are hoping for fresh investments in an area which is considered a fast emerging cornerstone for the economy, writes Farhan Bokhari.
• Historical context: Principles from the past guide usage in modern world
• Profile: Bahrain: New battleground to reassert credentials
• London: Capital takes a leading role

A very interesting series indeed.