WORLD ISLAMIC BANKING COMPETITIVENESS REPORT SET FOR RELEASE

DUBAI, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The 2010/11 edition of the World Islamic Banking
Competitiveness Report will be launched in Bahrain on Nov 23 at the 17th Annual
World Islamic Banking Conference (WIBC) 2010.

The report is developed in collaboration with leading global strategy
advisory firm McKinsey & Company.

"The analysis provided in this year's report will be even more critical as
it comes at a juncture when the major industry players are seeking to adopt
best practices and re-visit key strategies and business models to ensure
continued growth in a challenging economic environment," David McLean, WIBC
managing director, commented ahead of the launch.

Titled "In Search of New Opportunities", the report will examine the
overall competitiveness of the sector, including its achievements and the
challenges it faces.

Also coming under scrutiny are the new focus on the affluent high-net worth
segment of Islamic banking; how to measure "real" performance; present and
future opportunities in the takaful market; and strategies for Islamic
commercial banking suites for small and medium-sized businesses.

Organisers said the findings of the report will be presented by Amer
Afiouni, partner, McKinsey & Company.
-- BERNAMA