Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Event Details
Malaysia is set to carry on from the strong economic showing in 2017 to record another above 5% growth in GDP in the current twelve months. Underpinning this year’s growth is the emphasis on infrastructure including the 55 billion ringgit East Coast Rail Link as well as the 60 billion ringgit Singapore-Kuala Lumpur High-Speed Rail (HSR), which is slated to be launched at the end of 2018. Both projects form part of the country’s ambitious infrastructure build-out. They also support the government’s medium-term goal to transform Malaysia to become a high-income advanced economy by 2020. Already, Malaysia stands out as the world’s most successful sukuk market. In 2017, the country once again topped the global ranking for sukuk issuances with a total of US$36.5 billion raised out of the total of US$97.3 billion, according to RAM Rating Services. Malaysia will also launch its version of a Digital Free Trade Zone near the Kuala Lumpur International Airport that will house an e-fulfilment hub, satellite services hub and e-service platform aimed at stimulating growth in electronic trade. The zone hopes to initially attract 1,500 small and medium-sized enterprises to become part of the digital economy creating investment and employment opportunities. The Asset Forum is pleased to host a discussion on the opportunities in infrastructure, green sukuk and digital initiatives in Malaysia. The forum will discuss the outlook for the sukuk market especially for green finance. • What are the new issues likely to come to the market?• How will the market support the financing of the country’s ambitious infrastructure initiatives?• What innovations are being considered in support of SRI?• How are investors positioning their portfolio for the year especially in lightof a rising US interest rate scenario?• What effects will policies emanating from the new US Trump administrationon the pace of new issues and the pricing?• How will the country’s digital agenda pan out in the coming 12 months?• What types of fintech are likely to find Malaysia an attractive location?