Page 35 - Aamir Rehman Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance The Rise of the New Global Players

20 Introduction

corporate leaders who are interested in conducting business in the
region, Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance is principally for financial pro-
fessionals who are seeking to understand Gulf investments, Islamic
finance, and their impact on global markets. In a sense, the two are
companion volumes, with one being focused on happenings within
the region and the other addressing the worldwide impact of the
region’s wealth. Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance also has the benefit of
having been written after the onset of the global financial crisis and
economic recession, both of which have had a deep impact on the
Gulf region.
Aside from discussing the origins of and outlook for GCC
wealth, Gulf Capital and Islamic Finance will not provide comprehen-
sive background on the countries of the Gulf and their economies.
That information—which is important for observers seeking an in-
depth understanding of the region—is available in Dubai & Co.

TOO IMPORTANT TO IGNORE
As the world of finance and global markets has become more com-
plex, the set of “essential” knowledge and capabilities grows larger.
For today’s financial professionals—especially those involved in for-
mulating global investment strategies—deep knowledge of a single
market or asset class may no longer be sufficient. In an ever-changing
environment, insight regarding new players can help firms and pro-
fessionals identify and tap into new opportunities or anticipate and
outmaneuver potential competitive threats. Gulf capital and Islamic
finance are simply too important to ignore.
As a new financial order emerges, Gulf capital and Islamic
finance are likely to have an impact far beyond those who deal with
them directly today. Private equity and principal investors are likely
to run into them as counterparts in transactions or as competitors for
attractive assets. Bankers will increasingly service them as clients and
as crucial sources of capital. Analysts will observe their impact on
international markets. Regulators will be faced with them as impor-
tant phenomena with implications for public policy.
Consider this book your introduction to two new, important
players on the stage of global finance. Hitherto, you have not come
across them much. If you work in investments or financial services,
however, you’re likely to cross paths with Gulf capital and Islamic
finance quite often in the years ahead.