Islamic finance (TT Dec05 p34-35)

The total value of funds that are compliant with Islamic religious guidelines is estimated at $500-$800bn. Over the last 1,400 years Islamic economies have devised a number of ways of providing commercial finance. The sukuk is the form of Islamic finance which is potentially of greatest interest to treasurers. Tapping Islamic finance will remain attractive as long as there is a shortage of sharia-compliant investment assets.