In this edition of the Islamic Finance news Guide 2014 we bring our valued readers a comprehensive summary of the peaks and troughs following an eventful year for the industry. 

Over the year we have witnessed the rise (and fall!) of new markets such as Turkey, Indonesia and North Africa. We have seen a slight slump in Sukuk as Fed tapering hit, but a concurrent surge in Islamic equities which has boosted emerging markets and given the fund space a much-needed shot in the arm. 

We have seen landmark issuances in the debt capital markets such as the IILM Sukuk, which should go a long way towards providing the industry with the tools it so desperately needs to self-regulate its liquidity; while new issuances from entrants such as Nigeria demonstrate the ever-strengthening scale of the industry. 

While the core markets of the GCC and Southeast Asia remain strong, Islamic finance is escalating into every corner of the globe. The UK this year announced its debut sovereign Sukuk and other non-Muslim majority markets including Luxembourg, South Africa and Hong Kong may soon follow. Momentum is building, and the trend for international expansion shows no sign of slowing down, as cross-border transactions become easier and regulation and legislation across jurisdictions becomes increasingly standardized. And with the Sukuk market set to pick up this year and major growth expected across the MENA region, we can only hope for a continuation of this tremendous trajectory.

Covering 30 countries across every major Islamic market and asset class, this issue of the IFN Guide traverses the global Islamic financial landscape: covering the diverse sectors of debt capital markets, leasing, microfinance, regulation, securitization, Sukuk, Takaful, technology and tax. We hope, as always, that you find it a rewarding read, and we look forward to providing you with continued and unrivalled Islamic coverage throughout 2014.

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