More than 400 key players, regulators and thought leaders in the global Islamic funds and investments industry are set to gather in Bahrain next week for the 10th anniversary special edition of the World Islamic Funds and Financial Markets Conference.

Representatives of more than 120 leading organisations will take part in the event being held in strategic partnership with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB).

WIFFMC 2014 will be inaugurated on May 19 with a special opening address by CBB executive director for financial institutions supervision Abdul Rahman Al Baker, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

 "The potential for the Islamic investment market is both significant and exciting," stated Al Baker.

"Sustaining the rapid pace of growth achieved over the past several years hinges on creating the conditions that will enable industry players to build scale and support efforts to further broaden the geographic reach - allowing the industry to attract new international Sharia-compliant investment flows as well as new capital market issuers," he added.

The theme of the event this year is "Building scale and broadening horizons of Islamic investments," and discussions will seek to unlock new growth opportunities in the global Islamic financial markets.

A key highlight of WIFFMC 2014 will be the high-profile CEO and industry leaders' power debate focusing on attracting more international investors to Islamic financial markets.

The debate will feature Sedco Capital chief executive Hasan Al Jabri, CIMB Middle East director and chief executive Suryono Darno, Securities and Investment Company chief executive Najla Al Shirawi and QInvest Asset Management managing director Dr Ataf Ahmed.

It will address new approaches to grow the global investor base in Islamic financial markets and overcome challenges of the cross-border distribution and competitiveness of Islamic funds.

"While work documentation and product standards to strengthen and streamline the legal, operational and market practices as well as Sharia harmonisation is continuing," said International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM) chief executive Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, "it is important that the Islamic capital industry maintains its positive growth trajectory and all stakeholders work together to further improve the conditions and infrastructure essential for the continued international development of Islamic capital markets."

The winner of the "WIFFMC 2014 Islamic Investment Institution of the Year Award" will also be announced at the event on May 19.-TradeArabia News Service