JEDDAH — Effat University, the first non-profit private institution of higher education for women in Saudi Arabia, will host the 3rd Islamic Finance Conference (IFC) on Wednesday.

In its third edition, this year's conference will focus on Islamic Entrepreneurial Finance, reflecting the fact that there is a pressing issue within the Islamic finance sector on the significant unmet needs of Shariah-compliant financial services, particularly among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

"We are delighted Effat University is again the venue for the Islamic Finance Conference, having previously hosted the conference in 2014 and 2016," said Dr. Haifa Jamal Al-Lail, President of Effat University. "This opportunity for us to host the IFC is in line with our belief in the increasing importance of higher education in empowering women to contribute to economic development by qualifying for leadership positions, as well as being originators and directors of entrepreneurial business start-ups that diversify the Kingdom's economic base.”

IFC 2017 is aimed at enabling Islamic finance to complete its ecosystem via extending its horizon to MSMEs, which are a rather financially excluded group, by providing the platform to explore alternative infrastructure, products and other facilities and possible venture opportunities for entrepreneurs.

The event is supported by the Islamic Economics Institute at King Abdulaziz University and the Conference agenda includes presentations and panel discussions focusing on Islamic entrepreneurial financial opportunities and Islamic entrepreneurship best practices; thought leadership from leading Islamic finance institutions; the growth of Islamic finance and entrepreneurship, the impact of Islamic finance on entrepreneurship development; and much more.

The event is expected to attract entrepreneurs, distinguished scholars, academics and researchers from esteemed organizations, in addition to doctoral students. — SG