Malaysia: CIMB Islamic will issue US$2.5 billion worth of Sukuk sales this year, said CEO Badlisyah Abdul Ghani. The bank has been mandated by 19 of its clients in Asia and the Middle East to raise the funds.

One of the deals worth RM5 billion (US$1.38 billion) Sukuk is for a government-related entity in the Gulf, while another for a US$1 billion multi-currency Islamic bond is from a Middle Eastern client.

The others are mandates from Malaysian and regional entities. Badlisyah did not name the clients, but said that they are having strong credit ratings.

The bank is also preparing to launch an infrastructure fund worth about US$500 million in Asia within the next three months.
“The seed capital for the fund is from regional and Middle Eastern institutional investors and it will invest in infrastructure projects in Muslim countries in Asia,” said Badlisyah, who did not give any further information. omar1.1 iimm.bnm.gov.my