QInvest expects to see increasing appetite for Shariah-compliant funds, including from non-Muslim investors, across a range of products and investments.
“Across the industry we are seeing an increase in non-Shariah investors across a range of products and investments,” Dr Ataf Ahmad, head of asset management at QInvest, told the recently concluded Opalesque Gulf Roundtable in Dubai.
Highlighting that there are two types of non-Muslim investors looking at Islamic products; he said the first group are those attracted to the ethical and social characteristics of the assets Shariah funds invest in; those investors for which environmental, social and governance factors are an important investment criterion.
The second group of investors looks to Shariah funds to diversify their portfolios away from certain assets that are more prominent within conventional funds and are seen as being more susceptible to economic volatility.
“A well-managed Shariah fund can perform just as well and if not, actually better than a conventional peer,” he said.
The Opalesque Roundtable Series brings together leading asset managers and investors from around the world, sharing unique insights on the specific trends, developments and issues facing the industry.
QInvest has a strong track record in managing Islamic-compliant funds via its QInvest Managed Account Platform, the world’s first open architecture Islamic managed account platform. It brings best practice from the conventional fund industry to Shariah investors through a range of global partnerships with managers around the world.