Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim

Assalamu’alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh and Salam Satu Malaysia.

 

Y.Bhg. Datuk Ali Abdul Kadir, Authority Member Labuan Financial Services Authority

 

Chairmen of the Labuan Associations

Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Dato’-Dato’

Ladies and Gentlemen 

It is indeed my honor and pleasure to be here this evening to celebrate with you the Labuan Financial Industry Annual Dinner 2010 with the theme “Financial Walk of Fame”. I am indeed elated at this large turnout by the industry players and staff.

I would like to extend my warm welcome to Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ali Abdul Kadir, Labuan FSA Authority Member, thank you sir for taking time off your very busy schedule to be with us this evening.

 

I believed many of you had attended the Labuan International Islamic Finance Lecture Series yesterday, delivered by Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. I must say, the attendance was over whelmed with more than 800 participants, not counting those who were outside the hall to meet Yang Amat Berhormat Tun. I truly believe that we were enlightened with Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun’s lecture and we have gained valuable knowledge for us to share with the global economic community. Thank you for supporting the Labuan FSA in our efforts to nurture the in-depth knowledge and understanding of Islamic finance and we hope to have the same over-whelming crowd next year again.

As Labuan IBFC celebrates 20 years of strong performance with robust and well-regulated business environment, it is always our aspiration to ensure that Labuan IBFC retains its competitive position as a premier international financial centre of high integrity. We shall carry forward this momentum of strong performance when we enter the next 20 years. Labuan FSA is currently in the midst of preparing a ten year blueprint for Labuan IBFC together with Bank Negara Malaysia which will be incorporated as part of the country’s new Financial Sector Masterplan. We have started some preliminary works and are seeking cooperation from our various stakeholders to ensure that Labuan IBFC remains competitive and part of the ever growing financial landscape of Malaysia. In this respect, we will hold further dialogue sessions with the industry players to discuss on the detailed deliverables and outcome of the Blue Print.

I trust the financial community will work together with us in this important endeavor. We valued the support and cooperation we have received from the Labuan’s financial community. Our shared strong commitment to ensure that Labuan IBFC continues to remain vibrant reaffirms the unique relationship that we have built.

Permit me to speak on tonight’s event. This event is held in conjunction with the Labuan International Islamic Finance Lecture Series as a gesture of appreciation to all industry players; be it in the banking, insurance, leasing, trust and all those who have contributed towards the development of the Labuan IBFC industry. This year, the Association of Labuan Banks play hosts for tonight’s event. On behalf of the industry, I would like to congratulate the organizing committee headed by Ms Clara Lim, for the commitment to ensure tonight’s event becomes a reality and success.

I was made to understand that there will be a golf tournament tomorrow morning and attractive prizes have been lined-up. For those who will be participating in the tournament, I wish them good-luck.

 

I shall not delay you any longer from enjoying what I am sure will be a delicious dinner. In closing, I would like to express my utmost appreciation again to our guest of-honor, Yang Berbahagia Datuk Ali Abdul Kadir, for being with us tonight. My thanks too, to all those whom have congregated here, may from Kuala Lumpur, and some even Singapore, Jakarta, Tunisia and other parts of the region, to celebrate another successful year of Labuan IBFC and I wish all of you an enjoyable night.

 

Thank you.

 

Wassalam.