Malaysia to lead sukuk issuance in surpassing US$35B

Bank Negara is optimistic the global sukuk issuance this year will surpass US$35 billion recorded in 2007 when it
sustained the highest issuance level.

Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz noted that of the US$35 billion, Malaysia contributed US$13.8 billion, she said.

She said Malaysia was leading in the global Islamic finance industry, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Bahrain, with the global sukuk market share standing at 62 per cent.

"From the approvals we have given and the Securities Commission has given, we believe the sukuk bond issuances will surpass the 2007 level this year," she told reporters after delivering a keynote address at the launch of Bloomberg's Enhanced Islamic Finance Platform here yesterday.

Earlier, in her speech, Dr Zeti said global sukuk issuance last year exceeded that of 2009 by more than 20 per cent and against this positive growth, investors and issuers' renewed confidence was evident.

She said the Islamic finance industry is set to be in an exciting period this year.