For a developing country such as Bangladesh, the banking system is one of the most important preconditions to achieve economic development. This study covers a five-year period (2007-2011) and includes ten sample banks from the Islamic and conventional banking sectors to study the...

Derivatives are few and far between in countries where the compatibility of financial transactions with Islamic law requires the development of shari'ah-compliant structures. Islamic finance is governed by the shari'ah, which bans speculation and gambling, and stipulates that income must be...

What attracts conventional investors to Islamic financial instruments? We answer this question by comparing Malaysian Islamic and conventional security prices and their response to macrofinancial factors. Our analysis suggests that Islamic and conventional bond and equity prices are driven by...

The IDB Group, guided by its Strategy for Microenterprise Development, has made the creation of a sustainable market of services to the sector one of its most important priorities during the past decade. This report presents an overview of the contributions the IDB has made to the...

This paper marshals substantial arguments and data to support the contention that improving the access of micro and small enterprises to financial services could have an important salutary impact on a country's income distribution. To demonstrate this, the paper shows first that many poor own or...

This paper presents a synopsis of the current state of the microfinance industry in Latin America. It provides a rough assessment of the achievement and outreach of the industry; it offers revealing information on the financial performance of 20 microfinance institutions; and it outlines some of...

The aim of this research is the study of information and communication technology effects on productivity in Islamic countries. We have applied a balanced panel data model. Hausman (1978) test shows that we should apply fixed effects model. We have estimated our model for Islamic countries for...

First, we give a concise overview on the nature of Islamic investing by discussing the main opportunities and challenges. Second, we analyze in a thorough empirical study the performance and risk-return characteristics of 145 IEFs over the period January 2000 to February 2009. Third to...

This research aims to shed light on the role of the Islamic Waqf as a tools of corporate social responsibility.Islamic Waqf can play an important role in activating the principle of corporate social responsibility through the following: achieving sustainable development , developing small and...

Time series data are compiled and analysed in accordance with Gregorian calendar, given its world-wise use. This paper presents a simple method of constructing time series in accordance with Hijri Calendar from an already compiled Gregorian time series. Preliminary seasonal analysis of Hijri...