Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance: The Rise of the New Global Players

Advance Praise for Gulf Capital & Islamic Finance

"With the region's increasing prominence in global capital markets, this timely piece is essential for anyone trying to gather a nuanced understanding of the landscape of Gulf capital and the fast-growing Islamic finance industry and the increased 'Shariah-affinity' of its stakeholders. Brilliantly written and easy to read, Aamir Rehman has leveraged a luminous career as a corporate strategist for the Middle East to put together the comprehensive guide to Gulf capital and Islamic finance." -- S. Nazim Ali, Director, Islamic Finance Project, Harvard Law School

"Aamir Rehman has written a lucid and well-researched guide to tapping capital in the Gulf. He is right that appreciating the underpinnings of Shariah-compliant finance is key to understanding the mindset of Muslim investors." -- Samuel L. Hayes III, Jacob Schiff Professor of Investment Banking, Emeritus, Harvard Business School

"A timely and useful book on the growing relevance to the global economy of Gulf capital and Islamic finance. Aamir Rehman's deep knowledge, passion, and engagement with the topic have come together in a book that provides insight and practical advice on how to tap into a rapidly growing source of capital. This book will help institutions navigate their way successfully through the growing Islamic finance industry." -- Iqbal Khan, CEO, Fajr Capital, and former founding CEO, HSBC Amanah

"If you want to understand the meaning and implications of Islamic finance, Aamir Rehman's Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance is the one volume you need on your desk. Written primarily for financial investment professionals with a need to know more about the impact on global markets of GCC investments and Islamic finance, Rehman's newest book makes this formerly ecoteric topic accessible to anyone with an interest in the increasingly important energy-rich Gulf countries." -- Michael W. S. Ryan, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Middle East Institute, and former VP for Administration and Finance, Millennium Challenge Corporation

The six countries comprising the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)--Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman--have emerged as a vital source of stable capital and investments that will help power global economics in the coming decades.

In Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance, Aamir A. Rehman, the acclaimed author of Dubai & Co.: Global Strategies for Doing Business in the Gulf States, sheds welcome light on the hows and whys of trillions of dollars of Gulf capital, and Shariah-compliant finance--a fast-growing sector that Standard & Poor's values at $750 billion. In addition to incisive analysis of these dynamic, often unfamiliar markets, Rehman examines this sector's growth potential and investment opportunities.

Clearly written, brilliantly reasoned, and refreshingly free from geopolitical biases, this book is an excellent resource for professionals seeking to understand Gulf investments, Islamic finance, and their impact on global markets. Inside, you'll find in-depth knowledge on a host of vital topics, including:

• Background and context on the rise of Gulf capital and Islamic finance: their origins, evolution to date, and current landscape
• Descriptions of key GCC institutional investors such as sovereign wealth funds, specialist investment vehicles, and private investors
• Global implications of the rise of these new players--what it means for investors, bankers, regulators, and international markets
• The role of Gulf capital and Islamic finance in an emerging, multipolar world--and whether they should be seen as opportunities or threats

Involvement with Gulf-based investors in international markets is already bearing financial and strategic fruit for savvy global firms, as well as influencing reform in the GCC region. The flow of capital in and out of Shariah-compliant sectors presents tremendous opportunities for those who understand--and are prepared to meet--the aspirations and needs of these investors. Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance provides these firms and professionals with in-depth knowledge that builds a solid platform for dealing with businesses in a region that is assuming a broader role in the global economy.

Aamir A. Rehman (Staten Island, NY) is an expert in global strategy, the Gulf region, and Islamic finance. He is author of Dubai & Co.: Global Strategies for Doing Business in the Gulf States (McGraw-Hill, 2007), a strategic guide for global firms seeking to do business in one of the world’s most dynamic regions. He is also author of a Harvard Business Review article entitled "Islamic Finance: The New Global Player." Mr. Rehman was formerly Global Head of Strategy for HSBC Amanah, a business unit of the world?s third-largest bank, offering Shariah-compliant financial services across nine major markets worldwide. He is currently Head of Strategy for Fajr Capital, a principal investment firm focusing on opportunities in key markets of the Middle East and Asia. Dubai & Co. and Mr. Rehman's management commentary have been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, US News and World Reports, the Wharton Leadership Digest, and other media outlets. He has spoken at conferences and events in the US, the Middle East, and Asia.