Principal Islamic, has reached an agreement with Standard Chartered Securities Brunei to distribute four of the firm’s Undertakings for the Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITs) funds to Brunei investors.
With this move, Brunei investors will now have greater access to the Asia Pacific and global markets through the Islamic ASEAN Equity Fund, Islamic Asia Pacific Dynamic Income & Growth Fund, and Islamic Global Multi-Asset Fund and Global Sukuk Fund. This announcement marks the first agreement with an international financial institution to distribute Principal Islamic funds in Brunei.
“Shariah-compliant funds have grown in popularity in recent years and have gained interest from global customers. These solutions can help our customers build their investment portfolios with confidence,” said Dato’ Paduka Syed Mashafuddin, chief executive officer, Principal Islamic. He added with the introduction of our Islamic Asia Pacific and ASEAN funds to Brunei, the investment group hopes that Standard Chartered customers are seeking opportunities for diversification and capital growth through investment across the Asia and APAC region.
Shariah investing may be suitable for customers seeking exposure to sustainable investing as both share potentially similar principles and values including the promotion of stewardship, social responsibility, and responsible behavior. The newly available funds provide access to sustainable portfolio practices as they additionally use ESG ratings to help measure sustainability risk and promote sustainability practices while being Shariah compliant. Shariah and sustainable investments seek to generate attractive financial returns to both Muslims as well as non-Muslim investors alike – while also providing better outcomes for society and the environment.
“With continued impacts of the COVID pandemic contributing to heightened investor appetite in sustainability, we believe that Shariah investing provides investors with an opportunity to not only pursue Shariah-compliant investments but also help achieve sustainability aims and improve the potential for risk-adjusted investment returns,” said Syed.
“Standard Chartered Securities Brunei since launching Islamic investment offerings through the first Islamic window in April last year says it has the widest range of conventional and Syariah compliant funds available in the market.
“From ESG focused to Syariah compliant, or from geographical to sector-specific; be it in asset classes or in foreign currency, we have options for all. No matter if you are a new investor or a seasoned one, Standard Chartered Securities, aims to help investors identify opportunities to grow and preserve their wealth,” said Ms Brenda Low, CEO of Standard Chartered Securities.
