Islamic megabank likely based in Bahrain -Al Baraka CEO

Islamic megabank likely based in Bahrain -Al Baraka CEO

A long-touted $3 billion Islamic megabank is more likely to be established in Bahrain although a final decision has not yet been made, the chief executive of Al Baraka Bank, who also serves as an advisor for the project, told Reuters on Tuesday.

August 2, 2011 12:54 by Reuters

Adnan Ahmed Yousif said discussions are still on about whether the bank will be domiciled in Bahrain or Qatar and no dates have been finalised to launch the entity.

“While the location of the bank is still under discussion, in all probability it will be based in Bahrain,” Yousif said in an email to Reuters on Tuesday.

The proposed entity will be named Istikhlaf Bank and will be incorporated with an authorized capital of $10 billion and paid up capital of $3 billion, Yousif said.

His remarks came after a Bahraini newspaper report last week that said the Islamic megabank will be set up in Manama.

The report said the announcement would be made formally during the Organisation of Islamic Conference meeting to be held in Qatar in December and the bank would be launched in January.

Bahrain, where the US Fifth Fleet is also based, was rocked by mass pro-democracy protests earlier this year, forcing the government to declare martial law. That was lifted at the start of June.

“It’s all speculation,” said a second source close to the project. “There is no firm date yet however work is in progress on deciding the location and management of the bank.”

The fragmented Islamic finance industry lacks sufficient

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Tags: Al Baraka Bank, Bahrain, Bahrain bank, Islamic bank Bahrain, Islamic banking