ASEAN is a region blessed with natural resources, and has significant rural and agricultural bases. Yet its economic growth does not commensurate with the development of these sector. In order to achieve long-term sustainable growth, ASEAN needs a cohesive policy to bridge the gap between the urban and rural areas. Where do we start?

It is a known fact that Islamic Finance is a colossal industry worth more than 2 trillion dollars in assets. But the human capital meant to support it is still in its nascent stages, with a huge number of employment coming largely from its conventional banking counterpart. Why should Islamic Finance build its own unique human capital base? And how do we expedite its development?

United Malayan Land Bhd presents:
Investment potential and business opportunity with UMLand in residential, commercial and industrial development  

VENUE: Sponsors Programme Room 2 | Room 401-402, Level 4

SPEAKERS:

• Datuk Charlie Chia | CEO | UMLand Berhad
• Mohd Noor Salam | Head of Subsidiary | Tentu Teguh Sdn. Bhd.
• Mazufi Abd Mutalib | Head of Subsidiary | UMCity Medini Lakeside Sdn. Bhd.

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Syed Azraai | syed_azraai@umland.com.my 
• Kairin Romeena | kairin@umland.com.my 

Qatar Financial Centre Authority presents: 
QFC – Facilitating business in Qatar and beyond

The Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) is an onshore business and financial centre located in Doha, providing an excellent platform for firms to incorporate and do business in Qatar and the region. The QFC environment offers its own legal, regulatory, tax and business infrastructure, which allows 100% foreign ownership, unlimited repatriation of profits, and charges a competitive rate of 10% corporate tax on locally sourced profits.

VENUE: Sponsors Programme Room 2 | Room 405, Level 4

SPEAKERS:

• Fahad Zainal | Chief Administrative Officer
• Mohammad Al-Hammadi | Business Development Manager
• Jahon Burhonov | Business Development Manager

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Ms Eliana Maakaroun | elianam@bljworldwide.com

A sustainable SME regional ecosystem necessitates a cohesive structure where government policies and multinationals work in tandem to support the growth of SMEs. How can multinationals include SMEs in their value chains? What policy changes are needed in building a sustainable system?

The emergence of bioeconomy provides sustainable solutions to the growing societal, environmental and economic challenges that we face today. The potential of climate change mitigation, energy and food security and resource efficiency creates a vast array of new markets for startups and SMEs. What are these new markets? What are the roles of startups and SMEs in bioeconomy?

As the Halal industry continues to expand rapidly across continents, there is an urgent need of standardisation across different markets. It is therefore crucial for the international community to work together to build globally recognised Halal standards. What are the ingredients to make these standards global?

The transaction between people with ideas and people with money holds crucial details that need to be understood to increase the chances of businesses getting funded. Which businesses are right for SMEs? What are the characteristics of a successful entrepreneur? What are the skills and knowledge necessary to secure funding?

Agriculture is the backbone of a great number of economies spanning the different continents. Yet, the agricultural sector is the most underpaid and the most exploited. As such, women entrepreneurs in the rural areas stand to lose greatly. What are the steps to empower them?

The global food problem and famine is not due to the shortage of food on the planet. It really stems from the inability to distribute food supplies to problem areas in a timely and sustainable manner. What can large multinational food companies do to improve the situation? Is there room for SMEs in the food and logistics business?

Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Kuala Lumpur presents: 
Investment in Kazakhstan

VENUE: Sponsors Programme Room 1 | Room 401 – 402, Level 4

SPEAKERS:

• Kairat Karmanov | Deputy Chairman | KAZNEX INVEST JSC
• H.E. Daniyar | Ambassador | Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Malaysia
• Yerlan Khairov | Chairman of the Committee of Investments | Ministry for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• Azamat Askaruly | General Director | KTZ Express JSC (Kazakhstan Railway) of Hong Kong Branch
• Ilyas Zhangaskin | Head of Division | Special Economic Zone “Astana – New City” Management

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Yerzhan  | assaubay@kazembassy.org.my 

Securities Commission Malaysia presents: 
Malaysia’s Islamic Capital Market – Promoting inclusiveness  

VENUE: Sponsors Programme Room 2 | Room 405, Level 4

SPEAKERS:

• Opening address by Mr. Zainal Izlan Zainal Abidin | Executive Director, Islamic Capital Market
• Monem Salam | President |  Saturna Sdn Bhd
• Prof Ashrad Md Hashim | Chief Executive Officer | ISRA Consultancy
• Rushdi Siddiqui | Co-Founder and Managing Director | Azka Capital
• Mohd. Radzuan Ahmad Tajuddin | Gerneral Manager and Head of Development | Islamic Capital Market (Moderator)

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Leanne Ann Susau  | leannea@seccom.com.my 
• Badlishah Bashah | badlisha@seccom.com.my 

University Utara Malaysia presents: 
Roundtable Discussion on Bridging Leadership Deficit Gap in OIC Countries

VENUE: Special Programme Room 1 | Room 403 – 404, Level 4

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Abdul Shakur Bin Abdullah  | shakur@uum.edu.my 

E-commerce is taking monetary transactions to a new exponential level. What are the benefits of E-commerce to SMEs and what are its barriers to entry?

The Islamic Fashion Industry is estimated to be worth US$96 billion and is rapidly growing. The gauge of its rapid expansion can be seen through international labels such as Hermes, Aramis, Estee Lauder and Debbie Wingham, adopting modest fashion collections targeting Muslim markets. New Muslim fashion designers are also coming to the fore in this explosive industry. What are the new trends and how far can it grow?

ASEAN has been a shining example of women empowerment in all of public life in community, business and government. Who are some of these shining examples? What can they teach our next generation of leaders about gender equality?

In order for SMEs to grow and benefit from economies of scale, they need to think beyond the domestic market. But what are the barriers for SMEs to enter the international market? What roles can the Governments play in developing SMEs’ competitive advantage?

The age of millenials is coming. New ways of thinking will emerge, and with that new markets serving new functions in society.

Education is the right of every human being yet millions of people are deprived of it due to conflict and poverty. As a result, the income and literacy gap between the urban and rural areas becomes increasingly wider. What are the steps to bring free education to villages?

Maybank Islamic Bhd presents:
Maybank Islamic Sponsors programme

VENUE: Special Programme Room 1 | Room 401 – 402, Level 4

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Mazlan B Rasheed   | mazlan.r@maybank.com.my

Trade and Support Division of Gangwon Provincial Government presents: 
Investment promotion of Gangwon provence 

• Panel 1 : exploring tourism & MICE industry of Gangwon province and promoting investment     opportunity of Gangwon Province.

• Panel 2 : East coast Free Economic Zone Authority (EFEZ) would like to introduce its development plans and investment opportunities. Consisting 4 development areas, each area has its own development concepts such as tourism, nonferrous metals, and real estate development.

• Panel 3 : Gangwon trading would like to its role and vision. Gangwon Trading has promoted halal industry of Gangwon Province. We want to make a global business partner.

SPEAKERS:

• Liz Shin | Marketing Director | Gangwon Province
• Moon Hee Won | Project manager | East coast Free Economic Zone Authority
• Yun Ho Jang | Assistant Manager | Gangwon Trading

VENUE: Special Programme Room 2 | Room 405, Level 4

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Eun Kyum Kim | micaelek@korea.kr

Investment Promotion Agency of the Province of Kwzulu Natal presents:
Investment Opportunities in KwaZulu Natal

VENUE: Special Programme Room 1 | Room 403 – 404, Level 4

To confirm your attendance, please contact:

• Fathima Amra | fathima@tikzn.co.za 

Penetrating the existing domestic supply chain is crucial to SMEs’ survival. How can governments build SME capacity through the localisation of the supply chain? What initiatives can be taken to create a sustainable localisation process for SMEs? What synergies can be achieved between MNCs and SMEs with regard to the domestic supply chain?

It is often said that academia is more concerned with theory and philosophy rather than practical skills that are relevant to the marketplace. Should technical and vocational training be part of academia?

Humanitarian tragedies are happening on an alarming scale today. There is an urgent need to address those millions of people affected by conflicts and disasters. The private sector and the financial industry have pivotal roles to play in addressing these pressing challenges. With the rapid emergence of Islamic Finance, what is the future of Islamic Social Financing in addressing humanitarian tragedies?

WIEF Businesswomen Network presents:
WBN Alumni Programme

VENUE: Sponsors Programme Room 1 | Room 401 – 402

BNB is developed to encourage greater business networking opportunities for the Forum participants.

Healthcare is a very important sector in the economy. Much needed investment needs to be focused not only in commercial healthcare, but also public healthcare for those who cannot afford it. Can the instruments of Islamic Finance and Waqf be used in the development of the healthcare sector? What differences will it make in healthcare compared to its conventional counterpart?

Face to Face is an intimate conversation with a global personality on their life challenges, story of success and personal anecdotes.

Entrepreneurship: A Platform of Peace