Asia (Lawfuel) – DLA Piper’s Islamic Finance Team has received the International Islamic Finance Forum’s (IIFF) “Global Recognition in Islamic Finance for a Law Firm Award” as demand for the global legal service organisation’s expertise in Shariah-compliant financing grows in Asia. The IIFF Awards promote excellence in Islamic finance and aims to recognize the significant contribution made to important developments in the Islamic financial sector.
The award was presented to Oliver Agha, DLA Piper’s Global Head of Islamic Finance, by Rushdi Siddiqui, Global Director, Dow Jones Islamic Market Index Group at a gala event held in Dubai. The judges noted DLA Piper’s global reach, the depth of Shariah knowledge within the team and contribution to the practice and development of Islamic jurisprudence. Oliver commented: “We are pleased to have received this award that recognizes DLA Piper’s global Islamic finance practice. The credit for this award belongs to our whole team. I am most appreciative of the collective effort from each and every one of the DLA Piper Islamic Finance team that has resulted in this award.”
As Asia’s leading financial centres market themselves as emerging Islamic finance destinations, DLA Piper is experiencing growing demand from the public and private sectors for advice, said Alastair da Costa, Asia Managing Director of DLA Piper. “Petrodollars from the Middle East are increasingly heading for investment opportunities in Asia, particularly China. The financial institutions and stock exchanges which which can create avenues for investment that are amenable to Islamic financing will tap into a huge pool of resources. Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur are all emerging as bridges between the vast pools of capital coming from the middle East and the massive opportunities in Asia.”
The awards were a part of the International Islamic Finance Forum, held under the Patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, hosted from April 13-17 at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel.
“Islamic finance is of growing importance around the world and DLA Piper is proud to be at the forefront of developing innovative and commercial solutions for our clients. This award really reflects the status of our Islamic Finance Team in the global arena and we are justly proud of their achievement,” said Nigel Knowles, Joint CEO of DLA Piper.
