15^th – 16^th January 2024, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain |  The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), the global umbrella of Islamic financial institutions, successfully conducted its inaugural workshop for the year 2024. The workshop focused on Sukuk Structuring and Legal Documentation. This two-day online workshop gathered senior representatives from Islamic banks, financial institutions, and Regulatory and Supervisory Authorities (RSAs).

The workshop offered participants an interactive platform to utilise practical resources, engage in meaningful group discussions, and gain valuable knowledge about sukuk principles and legal frameworks. The programme focused on providing hands-on insights into sukuk structuring techniques, crucial legal documentation, and current market trends. Participants were equipped with tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of sukuk and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Ms. Zainab Al Owainaty, the Director of Administration and Finance at CIBAFI, warmly welcomed the participants and emphasised CIBAFI's unwavering dedication to excellence. She highlighted the launch of a comprehensive range of training programmes for the year, specifically designed to address various topics in line with the dynamic nature of the Islamic finance industry. This initiative demonstrates CIBAFI's proactive role in offering valuable insights and addressing crucial issues for its members and stakeholders.

In addition to the facilitator, Prof. Dr. Younes Soualhi, Senior Researcher and Professor, INCEIF Global University of Islamic Finance, Malaysia, the workshop witnessed the participation of industry experts and leaders who shared their practical knowledge and expertise. The guest speakers included: Mr. Ijlal Ahmed Alvi, Chief Executive Officer, International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM), Kingdom of Bahrain; and Mr. Bashar Al-Natoor, the Global Head of Islamic Finance - Managing Director, Fitch Ratings, United Arab Emirates.

The Technical Workshop is aligned with the CIBAFI strategic objective on Professional Development, which endeavours to enhance capacity building within the Islamic financial services industry (IFSI). These programmes are practical in nature, and they are targeted to the staff of Islamic banks and financial institutions, regulators, and practitioners. In addition, they aim to engage participants in the discussion on the current environment of the Islamic banking industry.