Reinforcing its leading role in the development of Islamic banking sector, Meethaq Islamic Banking from Bank Muscat is participating in the 17th round of the 2026 Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) Summit, hosted by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), from the 2nd to the 4th of February 2026 in Muscat. The summit sessions were attended by distinguished global leaders and experts, including senior representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, central bank governors, heads of regulatory authorities, and representatives of Islamic financial institutions from around the world, as well as other key stakeholders and international organizations active in the Islamic finance industry.
The Summit is recognized as one of the most prominent global platforms dedicated to the Islamic financial industry, bringing together policymakers, experts, and financial institutions to discuss the future of Islamic finance and exchange insights on governance, risk management, financial stability, and innovation within the Islamic banking sector.
Meethaq’s participation in the Summit represents a strategic opportunity to gain exposure to the latest global trends in Islamic finance, strengthen relationships with international regulatory bodies, and engage with regional and global financial institutions. This presence aligns with Meethaq’s vision to enhance the competitiveness of the Islamic banking sector in Oman and support national efforts aimed at positioning the Sultanate as an emerging financial hub in the region.
On this occasion, Ali bin Ahmed Al Lawati, Assistant General Manager Meethaq Corporate Banking, stated: “We would like to express our gratitude to the Central Bank of Oman for their efforts in organizing this prestigious event. At Meethaq, we are proud to participate in the IFSB Summit, one of the most important international platforms dedicated to the Islamic financial industry. Our participation reflects our steadfast commitment to fostering innovation, advancing Sharia-compliant financial services, and strengthening international collaboration in ways that create tangible value for the financial sector in the Sultanate. We will continue to build on our leadership in Islamic banking space and contribute by supporting national economy through innovative and value-added financing, trade, investment and wealth managementsolutions.
On the sidelines of the Summit, Meethaq hosted a dedicated stall, where visitors and participants could learn more about its wide range of Sharia-compliant products and services. Meethaq representatives were present throughout the three-day event to introduce key Islamic banking solutions, including home and auto financing programmes, corporate solutions, investment products, trade finance services, and the latest digital innovations developed to enhance customer experience. Visitors were also introduced to Meethaq’s digital initiatives launched over the past years, which have strengthened its position as one of the leading providers of Sharia-compliant digital banking services in the Sultanate, reaffirming the role of innovation in improving service quality, expanding transactional convenience, accessibility and paperless banking for individual and corporate customers alike.
The Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) is a leading international organization responsible for developing regulatory and supervisory standards for Islamic financial institutions. Established in 2002 and headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Board aims to enhance stability and resilience across the global Islamic financial services industry. Its standards and guidelines cover capital adequacy, risk management, governance, and regulatory oversight, ensuring that Islamic financial institutions operate in a safe, transparent, and efficient manner. Today, the IFSB comprises of 184 members across 61 jurisdictions, including 84 regulatory and supervisory authorities, 10 international governmental organizations, and 90 other members representing banks, financial institutions, consulting firms, professional associations, and capital market entities. The Board also monitors financial stability and builds institutional capacity to support effective implementation of its standards, making it a global reference point for best practices in Islamic finance.
Meethaq has been a member of the Islamic Financial Services Board since 2023, reflecting its commitment in contributing to the development of technical and regulatory standards for the Islamic financial industry and engaging with international initiatives that promote governance, stability, and transparency. This membership enables Meethaq to participate in specialized technical discussions and remain closely updated on regulatory developments shaping the future of Islamic finance.
Meethaq Islamic Banking currently operates 32 branches and more than 64 cash deposit and withdrawal machines, in addition to offering customers full access to Bank Muscat’s network of over 900 ATMs and CDMs, ensuring convenient and seamless banking access across the Sultanate.
