RFI summit seeks input to make finance a force for good in the global economy

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1. Summit seeks input to make finance a force for good in the global economy    Since the global financial crisis many financial institutions have tended to refocus their efforts to deliver greater positive impact to society Heightened customer awareness of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues can help responsible finance institutions differentiate themselves Islamic finance incorporates an approach that overlaps with and can contribute to a more inclusive approach to ESG 8 February 2017, Zurich, Switzerland – The public perception of the financial sector seems to continue to be negatively influenced by the effects of the global financial crisis. In the intervening years, many financial institutions appear to have responded by increasing consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into their business. Responsible finance, including Islamic finance, has positioned itself as an industry capable of supporting equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. In May 2017, the Responsible Finance & Investment (RFI) Summit 2017 will convene in Zurich, Switzerland around the theme “Building Bridges, Expanding Impact” to forge stronger links between different parts of the responsible finance industry and identify actionable strategies to increase their positive impact on society. Blake Goud, CEO of the RFI Foundation, commented: “We are pleased with the response we have received since we announced the RFI Summit 2017. We are grateful to all our sponsors, including diamond sponsor, SEDCO Capital, and gold sponsors, DDCAP Group and Dubai Islamic Economy Development Center. We look forward to this Summit that would both raise awareness of growth in responsible finance and identify the steps needed to expand its positive social impact.” Hasan Al-Jabri, CEO of SEDCO Capital commented: "The RFI Summit provides an excellent platform to build bridges between different approaches to responsible finance. We see it as being closely aligned with our Prudent Ethical Investment approach which we have used to connect different forms of responsible investment around similar values and a shared belief that finance can be a force for good in the global economy while still adding value to investors." Stella Cox, Managing Director of DDCAP Group commented: “We have found many overlaps between the concerns of our customers who integrate ESG and those of our customers focused on adherence to Islamic financial principles. There is an increasing recognition that the financial sector is in a powerful position to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive economy and the RFI Summit provides a forum for the leaders across responsible finance to come together to chart the way forward.” Abdulla Al Awar, CEO of the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, said: “The RFI Summit 2017 is based on the theme ‘Building Bridges, Expanding Impact’ and will hopefully will serve as a unique platform to carry forward the discussion on how Islamic economy can contribute to translating a positive overall impact and ensure socio-economic development within a broader framework of sustainability. It is important to understand that Islamic economy Zurich Switzerland, February 8, 2017
2. is an inherent part of the responsible finance industry that is in a prime position to achieve longterm growth for the global economy .” For more information about the Responsible Finance & Investment Summit 2017, or to register at an exclusive early bird rate, visit www.rfisummit.org. We would like to thank our partners for their support for the Summit, including Alexander & Partner, DDCAP Group, the Bahrain Economic Development Board, Dubai Islamic Economy Development Centre, Eiger Trading Advisors Ltd, Forum Nachhaltige Geldanlagen (FNG), IsFin, the Islamica 500, Luxembourg for Finance, Millenium Associates AG, Saudia, SEDCO Capital, Swiss Finance + Technology Association, Swiss Sustainable Finance, Thomson Reuters and Zoccolillo Partner. For updates on the Summit, follow the RFI Foundation and Swiss Arab Network on LinkedIn, or connect with us on Twitter @RFIFoundation or using #RFISummit17. About the Responsible Finance & Investment Summit 2017 The Summit, to be held on 3 and 4 May 2017 at the Atlantis Hotel by Giardino in Zurich, Switzerland, will play a vital role in connecting representatives from across the responsible finance industry to build on the growing cooperation between responsible investment (RI), environmental, social and governance (ESG) and Islamic finance. The RFI Summit in Zurich is an initiative of the RFI Foundation and Swiss Arab Network, two globally active nonprofits institutions seeking to build awareness of shared values that can bring together people from various backgrounds working towards similar goals connected to generating benefits to society. About RFI Foundation The RFI Foundation is a non-profit organisation with a mission to identify a neutral, nonpartisan and universal value proposition that encourages convergence of responsible finance practices. RFI evolves Sustainable, Responsible, Impact Investing (SRI), Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and the Islamic finance sectors towards a convergence of their shared standards, and engages stakeholders to build the responsible finance industry as a catalyst to support equitable, inclusive and sustainable economic development. Visit us at www.rfifoundation.org About Swiss Arab Network The Swiss Arab Network (SAN) is a non-profit networking organization with headquarter in Zurich and affiliations in the Arab world that strives to bridge gaps, promote sustainable exchange and intensify the mutual understanding among Swiss and Arab people. SAN is a networking platform and organizes events and gives speeches on topics like Swiss and Arab finance, business, culture, art and film. Established and high-profile organisations from Switzerland and the Arab world are members of the network. Visit us at www.swissarab.org Zurich Switzerland, February 8, 2017
3. Media Contacts For sponsorship , partnership or media cooperation please visit www.rfisummit.org and contact   Blake Goud, Chief Executive Officer, RFI Foundation: blake.goud@rf-institute.org, www.rfi-foundation.org Mounir Khouzami, Co-Founder & President of the Swiss Arab Network: mounir.khouzami@swissarab.org, www.swissarab.org Zurich Switzerland, February 8, 2017