Numerous programmes, mostly conducted at the SC building at Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, have been lined-up to educate various levels of the public on the progress, development and opportunities available in the Islamic capital market.

The ICM Week will begin at the SC building with the two-day Kuala Lumpur International Islamic Capital Market Conference on 26 March. The conference is jointly organised by the SC's Securities Industry Development Centre (SIDC) and the Asian Strategy & Leadership Institute (ASLI).

Among others, the conference will highlight the way forward for the promotion of Islamic capital markets globally, as well as to provide insights on the developmental work carried out by Malaysian professionals in this field. The conference will also focus on issues identified in the Capital Market Masterplan, specifically on the steps that could be taken to further develop the Islamic capital market. This would include the development of the Islamic bond market, prospects for entrepreneurship through Islamic venture capital, strategic alliances for Islamic investments, on-line investing, corporate governance and best practices as well as risk management issues.

For the general public, there will be a free exhibition at the SC building which will run throughout the ICM Week. The exhibition will enable visitors to learn more about Islamic capital market products and services.

The SC is also organising two public seminars in conjunction with the ICM Week. This includes the Seminar on Financial Planning: Wealth Management According to Islam (29 March) which is jointly-organised with the Islamic Banking & Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM). The seminar on Islamic financial planning will address concepts of Islamic unit trusts, the implications of tax and zakat in financial planning, takaful products as well as common concerns in relation to Islamic financial planning. The registration fee for this seminar is RM400 per person.

The other seminar, which is targeted at the general public, is on Syariah Equity Investment and Islamic Indices. It will be held 30 March. This free-of-charge seminar will highlight, among others, the criteria that define the "Islamic" capital market, financial products that are syariah-based, the performance of the syariah index as well as discuss the differences between Islamic and conventional funds.

To reach out to the public in other states, free seminars will also be held in Penang, Terengganu and Sarawak in conjunction with the ICM Week. The seminars will be organised by stockbroking companies such as Hwang DBS Securities Bhd, PTB Securities Sdn Bhd and K&N Kenanga Bhd.

On 28 March, Hwang DBS will hold a Lunch Talk on Islamic Investments at its premise in Penang. Two other stockbroking firms, PTB Securities and K&N Kenanga will also hold public seminars on 30 March. PTB Securities will hold its public talk on Investing According to the Syariah Principle at YT Midtown Hotel in Kuala Terengganu, while K&N Kenanga will hold its public seminar on Islamic Bonds at its branch in Kuching.

In addition to the programmes above, there are also two closed-door, by invitation only, events. Fund managers attending the Kuala Lumpur International Islamic Capital Market Conference will be invited to attend the Closed-Door Fund Managers Forum on 28 March. This exclusive forum will bring together policy-makers from the Ministry of Finance and the National Economic Action Council, regulators like Bank Negara Malaysia and SC, the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange as well as fund managers to discuss the latest economic and financial developments in Malaysia. There will also be exchange of views on recent corporate developments in Malaysia and near-term economic prospects for the region.

There will also be a Colloquium on Islamic Capital Market (for Muftis and Syariah Advisors) on 28 March, which the SC is jointly-organising with Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM). This event, which is designed specially for muftis, Baitulmal officers, syariah advisors and Islamic experts and jurists, will discuss the application of syariah principles, screening of syariah approved securities and the role of syariah experts in the development of the Islamic capital market. There will also be discussion on the major types of Islamic funds namely those established under the principles of Istisna', Murabahah, Mudarabah and Al-Ijarah.

The ICM Week is open to all and would be beneficial to those who wish to understand and learn more about the Islamic capital market. Interested parties may call SIDC Corporate Services at tel: (03)-6204 8000 or email: [email protected] for programme details. Information can be also be obtained from the SC's official website at www.sc.com.my