Uzbekistan Enhancing Islamic Finance Regulatory Framework With INCEIF University's Assistance
From Siti Radziah Hamzah
TASHKENT, June 16 (Bernama) -- Uzbekistan is strengthening its Islamic finance regulatory framework by engaging experts from Malaysia's INCEIF University in areas such as sukuk securities, Islamic finance licensing, Shariah governance, and a comprehensive regulatory ecosystem as part of the third stage of its industry development.
Central Bank of Uzbekistan deputy chairman Sanjar Nosirov said the country is implementing Islamic finance in three stages.
Nosirov noted that in the initial phase, non-governmental microfinance organisations were allowed to offer Islamic financial services, with 12 institutions currently operating in the segment.
He said the volume of their services has increased fivefold over the past five years, reaching US$22 million. (US$1=RM4.07)
Nosirov was speaking during a panel session titled “Islamic Finance and Sukuk Markets: Channeling Gulf Capital Into Emerging Economies” at the Tashkent International Investment Forum (TIIF) 2026 here today.
According to Nosirov, the second and most critical stage involves the adoption of a dedicated Islamic banking law, which will enable both the establishment of fully-fledged Islamic banks and the introduction of Islamic windows within conventional banks.
He added that the law represents a historic momentum in the development of Uzbekistan’s financial system, noting that it introduces a new Islamic banking licence and establishes a dual banking model.
Uzbekistan officially legalised Islamic banking with the adoption of the law in March 2026, which is scheduled to come into force on June 29 this year.
The fifth edition of TIIF is taking place from June 16 to 19 with the theme “Investment Resilience: New Frontiers, New Partnerships.”
The forum features a large-scale industrial exhibition involving more than 100 domestic manufacturers, alongside numerous business-to-business and business-to-government meetings.
In 2025, the forum attracted over 8,000 participants, including 3,000 foreign delegates from more than 100 countries.
-- BERNAMA