„inspired by ethical values‟

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
The world is shifting from pure conventional
banking and finance to more sophisticated and
ethically driven Shari‟ah compliant banking and
finance?

HAVE YOU? If not, come along and talk to us

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
HOW OUR SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY
CAN HELP YOUR INSTITUTION

OUR key strengths are the specialists experience and

exposure gained over more than two decades, whilst
practically involved in setting up Islamic banks and financial
institutions from scratch, and also training thousands of people
who aspire to be a new breed of professional Islamic bankers
and Islamic finance specialists.

Experience our unique approach –quality assured

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
FIRST GLOBAL GROUP – OFFERINGS AT A GLANCE & CREDENTIALS

 Received Aspiring Leader award in the

global Islamic finance industry

 Instrumental in Abu Dhabi Commercial

Bank’s venture into Islamic Banking,
branded “Meethaq”

 Silver Award for Financial Related

Services at Sri Lanka Malaysia
Business Awards 2008,

Structuring Corporate
Finance  In the Islamic Business & Finance Awards 2008 conducted by CPI
Financial, First Global was a finalist in the categories Best Advisory
Services and Best Investment House along with prominent players like
Ernst & Young, McKenzie, and Unicorn Investment Bank

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
FIRST GLOBAL GROUP – STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Our Vision
… to be a world-class multi-disciplined diversified group that brings in global
opportunities and best practices to the local markets”

Our Mission
… to emerge as a significant player in the Islamic finance industry, both in Asia and
Middle East, with a global mindset, whilst being ‘firm in reaching stakeholders
targets’ (first) and adding value to the community at large”

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
FIRST GLOBAL - Specialist in Islamic Finance Advisory
In addition, First Global effectively combines
(i) an uncompromising commitment to Islamic principles;
(ii) a highly competent team, blend with individual performance, teamwork and leadership;
(iii) a diversified range of Shari'ah compliant innovative investment and financing products
and services; and
(iv) the capacity to originate, develop, arrange and distribute Shari'ah compliant products and
services to selected markets in the Asian & MENA region, whilst having a global
mindset.

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
 FIRST GLOBAL - Specialist in Islamic Finance Advisory
Setting up IFIs
Windows,
Independent Branches
Independent Subsidiaries
Fully Fledged Banks
Business Development
& Restructuring
New initiatives feasibility
reports
Business Plans
Diagnostic studies
Restructring support
Corporate Finance Advisory
Structured corporate finance
Training & Career Development
Building a new breed of professional
Islamic Bankers & Islamic Finance
Specialists.
Professional Series Programs
- In Islamic Finance,
- In Leadership
- In Management
SUKUK
Select an alternative
way of raising capital
Advisory on Sukuk
Structuring & Issuance
Structuring Corporate
Finance

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
Select your business model and embrace the dynamics of
the ... “a new market”

ISLAMIC BANKING & FINANCE MARKET

TODAY,
NO government,
NO regulator,
NO global or local financial institution,
Not even any market player,
can ignore the achievements and growth potentials of this rapidly growing
multi-trillion dollar Islamic banking and finance industry!
Muhammad Ikram Thowfeek
Founder , First Global

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
SETTING UP SPECIALISTS
• FULLY -FLEDGED ISLAMIC BANKS
• ISLAMIC BANKING SUBSIDIARIES OF CONVENTIONAL BANKS
(GLOBAL /LOCAL)
• INDEPENDENT ISLAMIC BANKING BRANCHES OF CONVENTIONAL
BANKS (GLOBAL / LOCAL)
Fully converted
conventional
• ISLAMIC BANKING WINDOWS / STRATEGIC BUSINESS UNITS WITHIN banks to Islamic
THE CONVENTIONAL BANKS (GLOBAL / LOCAL) Islamic Banking
Islamic Banking fully-fledged
Independent Subsidiaries
Islamic
Banking branches
Windows

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

• TRAINING IN ALL ASPECTS OF ISLAMIC BANKING PRODUCTS, SERVICES & PRACTICES.

• GET EQUIPPED WITH WORLD-CLASS ISLAMIC FINANCE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS

A LAUNCHING PAD TO BUILD A LUCRATIVE CAREER IN THE ISLAMIC BANKING & FINANCE INDUSTRY

• SPECIALISED & TAILOR-MADE CORPORATE TRAINING PROGRAM

FOR EXISTING AND NEW START UP ISLAMIC BANKS
FOR INDEPENDENT ISLAMIC BANKING BRANCHES, ISLAMIC BANKING WINDOWS OR STRATEGIC
BUSINESS UNITS OF CONVENTIONAL BANKS (GLOBAL / LOCAL)

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT – KIA & KIB

Since 2007, annually First Global organizes

two signature events, the ‘first of its kind’ in
Sri Lanka –Workshop & Seminar, titled Know
It All (KIA) & Know It Beyond (KIB) covering
“Islamic Banking, Finance & Takaful”

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT – TYG (Tap Your Genius)

By adopting scientific memory

techniques, one can easily
memorize any numbers,
formula, theorems, lengthy texts
and events!
Reality in this programme is
designed to IGNITE THE SPARK
OF GENUIS IN YOU !

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT – DYS (Discover Your Self)

“Over thousands of people

have benefited from this
3-Days Workshop held in
different countries”

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
PROFESSIONAL SERIES PROGRAMS

• PARTICIPATE IN OUR PERIODIC ’PROFESSIONAL SERIES PROGRAM’ IN ISLAMIC BANKING & FINANCE -
TO KEEP ABREAST WITH THE MARKET CHANGES & DEMANDS.

 ISLAMIC BANKING & FINANCE - What’s in it for all of us

’given the experience of a worst global financial crisis’

 ENTERING THE ISLAMIC BANKING MARKET

‘which is not confined to the Muslims only’

• PARTICIPATE IN OUR PERIODIC ’PROFESSIONAL SERIES PROGRAM’ IN DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP AND

MANAGEMENT SKILLS

 LEADERSHIP – BUILDING HIGH PERFORMING TEAMS

 TIME MAMANAGMENT
 SELF MOTIVATION
 GOAL SETTING & ACHIEVING - How to become SMART +

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
 ENTERING THE ISLAMIC BANKING MARKET
4 Hours Seminar ‘which is not confined to the Muslims only’
Professional Series Program THRUST OF THE PRESENTATION:

• Introduction
ISLAMIC BANKING & FINANCE - What’s in it for all of us
’given the experience of a worst global financial crisis’ • Role of Shari’ah
- beyond economic and financial benefits
THRUST OF THE PRESENTATION:
• Building a Business Model
Market is Shifting…
1. Introduction Global perspective, not regional anymore…
Business Focus – A multi-facet…
2. Market demand, shifting global players… Beyond Shari’ah compliance…
3. Impact of the financial crisis on the global Bringing Conventional best practices…
ICT Tools – the competitive edge…
market... Training, Education, Awareness…
- Islamic finance as a solution provider
• Profit Distribution Methodology
4. Boosting the Islamic finance industry • Shari’ah to Accounting
- the challenges ahead – A Murabaha Transaction (a common example)
• The challenge of Innovation today
5. Future Trends…
Also, can have • Conclusion
6. Conclusion. 1- Day Workshop
(with worked examples and
case studies) Muhammed Ikram Thowfeek
A start up specialist
Founder , First Global Group

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
15
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND RESTRUCTURING
Business Development or Improving Your Business
– A continuous affair during the life time of a company

In this fiercely competitive markets, a company must evaluate its performance

continuously, and conduct number of developments and improvements, in order
to continue to grow and be competitive.
These business developments and improvements must be continuously done, so
that the performance of the company gets better and continue to beat the
competition, or at least survive during tough times.
A strategy to develop or improve your business by maximizing the company’s
performance is by business restructuring.
Today, having experienced the worst global financial crisis by many a business
owners, many hear and understand the term or word of restructuring, as if we are
talking about a company that is declining.

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND RESTRUCTURING.. Contd.,

Mainly because the definition of restructuring itself means the following to many
- Restructuring, often referred to as downsizing, delayering, involving reduction
of the company manpower, working or business unit or division, or reduction of
the positions level within the company’s organization structures. This reduction
of the company’s scale is needed to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Restructuring strategies are used to find a way out for companies that do not
grow, get sick or there is a threat to the organization or the industry is at the
verge of significant change.

The owners generally make changes in the team, strategies changing, or the
introduction of a new technology in the company. To get it right, specialists are
sought after by the owners to ensure such changes are done with precision and
towards its success.

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
CAPITAL MARKETS AND SUKUK (ISLAMIC BONDS)

Today, Sukuk has become the ‘most promising asset class’ in the Islamic
investment banking and capital market circles and at First Global, we are advising
number of mega transactions both in the Middle East and Asia to source and
advise on the creation of a “new breed” of Shari’ah compliant financial and
investment products that compete in every respect with mainstream
conventional banking products and services.
The First Global Team has significant expertise in advising on the Islamic finance
structures, Sukuk in particular, and through its involvement in many regional
projects has a genuine understanding of any potential clients through proper
discussion and vetting of the project and the commitment to its success.

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
STRUCTURED CORPORATE FINANCE ADVISORY

 The First Global Islamic Finance Advisory Team combines many years of experience in
the corporate sector in the Middle East and brings together a powerful, and arguably
unique combination of the key skills required to maximise any viable fund raising
potential in terms of amount, cost, spread of investors and profile.
 The First Global Team combines genuine corporate finance skills with in-depth market
knowledge of regional equity, debt and capital markets, and with strong links to leading
investment banks who have the structuring capability & placement power for both debt
and equity in Asian and Middle East region.
 The First Global Team also can bring in other potential players at a later stage to provide
underwriting and distribution capabilities if required in the broader GCC and European
markets.

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
 MOVING INTO A ‘GLOBAL BUSINESS COMPANY’

First Global Group

„inspired by ethical values‟

ADVISORY DIRECT INVESTMENTS EDUCATION MEDIA ICT

(SME, Micro Finance, Private (Information,

(Islamic Finance Equity & Capital Markets) (Training & Career (Media & Communication &
Advisory) Development) Publications) Technology)

Mauritius Sri Lanka Bangladesh Malaysia Maldives Indonesia Qatar Bahrain India Pakistan

KEY CONTACT: Muhammed Ikram Thowfeek – Founder, Vice Chairman - First Global Group
Contact: +974 55873152 thowfeek@firstglobal-group.com
A ’START UP’ SPECIALIST Mr. Thowfeek, a Chartered Accountant by profession and an Islamic Banker by
practice. To date, he has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience, through his
diverse positions held in various organizations*, in auditing, management consultancy,
financial control, strategic planning & budgeting, Islamic banking & finance, Retail,
commercial and investment banking, Islamic capital and global Sukuk (Islamic Bonds)
markets, training and career development etc.,
He is a start up specialist and have set up number of IFIs in the region, both fully
fledged Islamic Banks and Independent branches of conventional banks, from
scratch.
He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ACA) - Sri
Lanka, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (FCMA) - UK,
a Member of the Institute of Financial Consultants (MIFC) - USA, a Member of the
Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments (CISI) – UK and a Certified Islamic
Banker (CeIB).

‘A start up specialist’
Founder / Vice Chairman
First Global Group
*
• Barwa Bank – Qatar
• First Global Group – Sri Lanka
• Commercial Bank of Qatar (ALSAFA Islamic Banking)
• International Islamic Financial Market (IIFM)-Bahrain
• First Finance Company – Qatar
* •Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank – Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• First Islamic Investment Bank (Arcapita Bank)-Bahrain
• Kuwait Finance House – Kuwait
• Ernst & Young – Colombo, Sri Lanka
START UP SPECIALIST – SETTING UP EXPOSURE

QATAR

QATAR
BAHRAIN

ABU DHABI - UAE

KUWAIT
ABU DHABI - UAE

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
ADCB – MEETHAQ SETTING UP

First Global was instrumental in ADCB’s venture into Islamic

Banking, “Meethaq”, by training their 1000 employees on
Islamic banking and finance in the UAE in 2008.

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
ADCB – MEETHAQ
SETTING UP

ABU DHABI - UAE

Commercial Bank of
Qatar (CBQ)
AL SAFA Islamic Banking
SETTING UP

QATAR
BARWA BANK
SETTING UP

QATAR

Muhammed Ikram Thowfeek – Barwa Bank CFO getting an award from

Chairman Steering Committee – Dr. Khalid Al Sulaiti

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL
 Abu Dhabi
Islamic Bank
SETTING UP

ABU DHABI - UAE

 First Islamic
Investment Bank
(Currently ARCAPITA Bank)
SETTING UP

BAHRAIN
Kuwait Finance
House (KFH)
SETTING UP
Major IT system

KUWAIT
KEY CONTACT:

Muhammad Ikram Thowfeek

Founder, First Global Group Mobile: +974 55873152 (Qatar)
E-mail: thowfeek@firstglobal-group.com
Website: www.firstglobal-group.com

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT THIS PROFILE.
LOOK FORWARD TO GET CONNECTED TO A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM
“INSHA ALLAH”

SPECIALISTS IN ISLAMIC FINANCE ADVISORY

’Quality Assured’ IN OUR UNIQUE APPROACH
© 2010 – FIRST GLOBAL