IBFIM Plans To Offer Islamic Financial Planner Programme Overseas

Bernama : Recognising the importance of the Islamic financial market, the Islamic Banking and Finance Institute Malaysia (IBFIM), plans to export the Islamic Financial Planner (IFP) programme overseas.

The IFP is a training cum certification programme designed especially for professionals and executives serving the retail segment of the Islamic financial market.

It is also a joint collaboration between IBFIM and the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia (FPAM).

According to IBFIM chief executive officer and managing director Datuk Dr Adnan Alias, the institute had received enquiries from Saudi Arabia,Wales and South Korea to collaborate on the IFP programme but no deals have been finalised.

"We are looking to export the IPF programme overseas but the details as to how and whether we want to franchise it, has not been finalised," he said at the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between IFBIM, four universities and two professional associations to collaborate on the IFP programme, here Monday.

The first batch of 57 IFP holders also received their certificates today at an award ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister of Finance I, Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlah, who officiated the award ceremony, said Islamic finance had vast potential to expand as a viable and competitive alternative to conventional finance in the light of the global financial crisis.

"Islamic finance is not only for muslims.It is for everyone. I believe that the Islamic financial system is the solution to mitigate the crisis and sustain the economy," he said.

According to Ahmad Husni, there was a need for effective financial planning, as planners needed the ability to develop new financial planning models, strategic analysis, investment advice and tax planning which will prove invaluable.