DEALS

Indonesia targets to raise IDR4 trillion (US$300 million) via sovereign Sukuk auction
Malaysian Airlines makes early redemption of junior Sukuk
Iran plans Manfaat Sukuk issuance utilizing state immovable properties and assets; launches Comprehensive Property Executive Agencies System
Qatar International Islamic Bank’s Tier 1 Sukuk expected before end of April, says CEO
Maybank Islamic fully redeems and cancels Sukuk Musharakah
Kuwait plans KWD2 billion (US$6.61 billion) Sukuk and bond issuance to plug budget deficit
Sunway Treasury Sukuk to raise RM200 million (US$51.48 million) via short-term Islamic papers
Maple Leaf Cement Factory settles PKR8 billion (US$76.26 million) Sukuk facility ahead of schedule
Bank Syariah Mandiri plans IDR1 trillion (US$75.7 million) Sukuk this year

NEWS

Government of Osun rebuts Sukuk allegations
DagangHalal at final stage of listing on London Stock Exchange 
Indonesian government to maintain support for distressed domestic large banks under new financial crisis management law
Halal Industry Development Corporation and Nestle Malaysia forge partnership to empower local SMEs and promote Halal sector
Unrestricted investment accounts estimated to have surpassed growth in the overall banking system’s deposits, says RAM Ratings
UDA Holdings procures syndicated Islamic financing facility up to RM500 million (US$124.79 million) to fund eight projects
IFSB issues working papers on Islamic deposit insurance schemes and capital charge for Shariah non-compliance risk
Standard Chartered Saadiq enhances Islamic product offerings
Malaysia could expect the entry of a new Shariah compliant airline utilizing Islamic financing
Bank of Punjab and Zarai Taraqiati Bank collaborate on home remittances

ASSET MANAGEMENT

Eastspring Investments declares income distribution for two Islamic funds
UBL Fund Managers’s Islamic fund fully matures; to be delisted from stock exchange

TAKAFUL

Legal & General Gulf rebrands as Al Hilal Life following acquisition by Ahli Bank
Great Eastern Takaful unveils new Family Takaful plan
RAM maintains stable outlook on Malaysia’s insurers and Takaful operators despite expecting a challenging year for the sectors
Iran ratifies law allowing foreign investment in insurance sector; recognizes Central Insurance Company of Iran as main regulator

RATINGS

Germany affirmed at ‘AAA’ with a stable outlook
Fitch affirms Qatar’s ‘AA’ ratings with a stable outlook
S&P revises outlook on China to negative due to slower than expected economic rebalancing; cuts Hong Kong’s outlook to negative
S&P downgrades four Saudi banks and affirms three others
Islamic International Rating Agency assesses Bahrain’s ratings at ‘BBB/A3’ with a stable outlook

MOVES

Reyadh Yousif Sater named as CEO of BBK as A Karim Bucheery retires
Maybank announces several key appointments in its subsidiaries
Borsa Istanbul re-designates board, elects new chairman and appoints new CEO
Alizz Islamic Bank reappoints chairman and elects new board members
Bank Al Bilad’s CEO resigns; Abdul Aziz Mohammed Anizan appointed as replacement
Bank Dhofar reelects chairman and vice-chairman
Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia names corporate banker Steve Chen as CEO