Identifying where Islamic finance fits within responsible finance will increase its positive social impact

The drive to create sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) options continues to gain momentum worldwide, largely driven by investor demand for investment alternatives that consider the financial impact of environment, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Recognizing the growing influence of SRI on a global scale and the parallels between the principles of SRI and those of Islamic finance, REDmoney events is pleased to collaborate with the RFI Foundation in bringing a special segment on SRI and ESG to the IFN Investor Forum.

The RFI Foundation was launched in 2015 and held a highly successful event, hosted by Bank Negara Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur in March 2016 that brought together key stakeholders from the traditional responsible and Islamic finance sectors.  During the two-day Summit, participants built connections to support future growth for responsible finance with increased (and measurable) positive impact on society. Its third event, the RFI Roundtable, will take place alongside the IFN Investor Forum on the 21st September 2016 at the Le Meridien, Kuala Lumpur.

The RFI Roundtable, a high-level onstage panel discussion open to the public, will address the two-way relationships between Islamic finance and SRI.  The panellists will address questions related to the value that ESG integration brings to Islamic finance to expand its use of positive screening alongside the exclusionary screens that currently define Shariah compliance.  Another session will cover how Islamic finance can add value to traditional SRI, particularly through its role in expanding responsible finance in emerging markets and unique ability to catalyse positive social impact.

“Socially responsible investing has always been a fundamental element of Islamic investing and we are delighted to be collaborating with the RFI Foundation in highlighting SRI and ESG principles at the IFN Investor Forum,” said Andrew Morgan, the managing director of the REDmoney Group.

“The principles that guide Islamic finance share more with the values that motivate SRI than is currently reflected in practice.  We are pleased to have the opportunity at the IFN Investor Forum to facilitate greater discussion about what Islamic finance can take away from the growth of ESG and what it has to contribute as well,”  said Blake Goud, the CEO of the RFI Foundation.

To register for this event, go to http://redmoneyevents.com/main/event.asp?IFN=Investor2016