Malaysia is among the emerging East Asian economies whose local currency bond market continued to expand over the first quarter of 2019 (Q1 2019), despite trade conflicts and moderating global growth. The outstanding amount of Malaysia’s local currency bonds totalled US$353.0 billion at end-March 2019, registering a 7.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth from 1Q2018. Malaysia’s sukuk (Islamic bond) market remained the biggest in emerging East Asia, where 61.0% of total local currency bonds outstanding comprised sukuk. In Malaysia, 47.0% of all government bonds are structured following Islamic principles, while 76.9% of corporate bonds are sukuk.

Moderator:
Mr. Meor Amri Meor Ayob, Chief Executive Officer, Bond Pricing Agency Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (BPAM)

Panelists:

1. Y. Bhg. Datuk Chung Chee Leong, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cagamas Berhad (Cagamas)
2. Mr. Kamarudin Hashim, Executive Director, Market and Corporate Supervision, Securities Commission Malaysia
3. Mr. Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, Senior Managing Director and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, CIMB Islamic Bank Berhad

The government successfully issued Samurai Bonds with an oversubscription of more than 1.6 times at 324.7 billion yen against 200 billion yen offered. Malaysia may consider issuing another tranche of Samurai bond if it can obtain rates similar to the earlier issuance. The panel discussion is expected to provide the participants with an in-depth understanding of Samurai Bonds and its benefits/challenges which render it attractive to select issuers.

Moderator:
Mr. Ong Eu Jin, Partner, Financial Services Practice Group, Lee Hishamuddin Allen & Gledhill

Panelists:

1. Mr. Shinichiro Nagashima, Deputy General Manager, Global Capital Markets Promotion Department, Mizuho Securities Co.,Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)
2. Mr. Yew Wee Cheah, Head of Capital Markets and Regional Coverage, Daiwa Capital Markets Singapore Limited
3. Mr. Saravana Kumar Segaran, Partner, Tax, GST & Private Clients Group, Lee Hishamuddin Allen & Gledhill

Initiatives by the Securities Commission of Malaysia (SC) have resulted in the capital market expanding to RM3.19 trillion as at end-April 2019. The capital formation was due to the ability of businesses to obtain long-dated financing through the equity, bond and sukuk markets. In 2019, Malaysia still maintains its leadership role in the Islamic capital market. This presentation mainly outlines the key economic achievements of 2019 and MARC’s domestic economic outlook for 2020.

Presenter:
1. Mr. Nor Zahidi Alias, Chief Economist, Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC)

On 25 September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, along with a new set of development goals collectively called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) recognise that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. All policymakers have a big task ahead to create SDG roadmaps and strategies for success

Moderator:
Mr. Ahmad Feizal Sulaiman Khan, Chief Business Officer, Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC)

Panelists:

1. Ms. Wei Zhang, Senior Financial Sector Specialist, World Bank Group
2. Mr. Aymane Doukali, Head of Structuring, Global Banking, HSBC Amanah Bank Malaysia Berhad.
3. Ms. Julie Gwee Chai Hong, Co-Head, Debt Markets, MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Berhad
4. Mr. Yeoh Teik Leng, Head, Capital Markets Group, AmInvestment Bank Berhad

Retail bonds are an important component of the overall bond and sukuk market infrastructure and the first of its kind to consolidate price and credit information. This special presentation will showcase a web-based centralised interactive platform which provides an advanced search engine allowing investors to filter bonds and sukuk in Malaysia which are currently standing at RM1.3 trillion according to their preference, for example the expected yield, duration and rating. The platform will provide access to a broader base of investors pool which in turn could strengthen Malaysia’s position as a leading sukuk and bond hub in the region.

Presenter:
Mr. Ahmad Al Izham Izadin, Manager, Research and Business Development, Bond and Sukuk Information Exchange (BIX Malaysia)

The sukuk market saw continuous growing interest by new market players across jurisdictions. For years, sukuk have seen high demand from Islamic investors as well as from conventional investors in various major markets. Many investors now regard this asset class as a superior alternative to traditional bonds and the global sukuk market is expected to continue to grow. This session will discuss new ideas and challenges as well as strategies to sustain the strong performance of sukuk instruments.

Moderator:
Y. Bhg. Datuk Dr. Mohd Daud Bakar, Chairman, Amanie Group

Panelists:

1. Mr. Eugene Tarzimanov, Vice President and Senior Credit Officer, Moody's Investors Service Singapore Pte. Ltd
2. Y. Bhg. Tan Sri Datuk Dr Kamal Salih, Chairman, Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER)
3. Y. Bhg. Datin Salina Burhan, Senior Vice President, Islamic Markets, Capital Markets Group, AmInvestment Bank Berhad

In the years ahead, capital markets and investment banking are expected to see an increase in the attention to and adaptation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 17 pillars of SDGs, set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and intended to be achieved by the year 2030, are a UN resolution. Malaysia stands exceptionally well compared to other countries in terms of achieving these SDGs, especially in eradicating poverty and providing education and healthcare. Islamic finance, as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global financial industry, provides a unique opportunity for innovative solutions. Forecasts indicate that Islamic finance assets are expected to reach US$3.8 trillion in 2022. With their emphasis on inclusiveness and broad understanding of business society relations, Islamic finance principles are highly aligned with SDGs, and forging new partnerships in this area will be essential to provide the much-needed reinforcements to finance and implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Moderator:
Mr. Razi Pahlavi Abdul Aziz, Managing Director, Amanie Group

Panelists:

1. Y. Bhg. Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, President, Mercy Malaysia
2. Mr. Mohammad Hasif Ahmad Murad, Investment Manager, Aberdeen Standard Islamic Investments (M) Sdn Bhd
3. Y. Bhg. Datin Maznah Mahbob, Partner (Asia), Finance and Investments , Strategic Swiss Partners
4. Y. Bhg. Professor Datuk Seri Dr. Md. Zabid Haji Abdul Rashid, Chairman. Koperasi Professional Wilayah Berhad

Fintech in capital markets emphasise the core concepts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and examines the ways that AI could enhance or disrupt capital markets. Capital market players are well positioned to take advantage of the latest technological developments. However, until now, most firms have focused on using these technologies to cut costs, but AI has the potential to create value across an organisation in many different ways. This special presentation examines how AI can help transform decision-making in capital markets.

Presenter:
Mr. M. Nazri Muhd, Chief Executive Officer, Expert Analytics Centre Malaysia (EAC) and MyFinB Malaysia

Malaysia has been successful in developing its capital markets, particularly its bond and sukuk markets. Now, it faces challenges on improving and creating access to the bond and sukuk markets and improving their efficiency. A high degree of investor concentration, dominated by government pension funds, may require the market to promote more diversity. Other challenges include improving liquidity and transparency, technology and confidence levels in both local and international capital market stakeholders.

Moderator:
Mr. Ahmad Feizal Sulaiman Khan, Chief Business Officer, Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad (MARC)

Panelists:

1. Mr. Angus Salim Amran, Treasurer, RHB Investment Bank Berhad
2. Mr. Meor Amri Meor Ayob, Chief Executive Officer, Bond Pricing Agency Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (BPAM)
3. Y. Bhg. Datuk Dr. Mohd Daud Bakar, Chairman, Amanie Group
4. Nor Masliza Sulaiman, CFA, Senior Managing Director & Head, Capital Markets, CIMB Investment Bank