In a global debt market of over $100 trillion, the Shariah-compliant Sukuk market has just crossed its own major milestone: $1 trillion. But what exactly are these Islamic financial instruments, how do they differ from conventional debt, and what's driving their rapid growth?



Bashar Al Natoor, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, joins us to get into all this and more.



We discuss:


What Sukuk are and how they differ from conventional bonds.


The key drivers behind the market's growth to over $1 trillion.


The important difference between asset-based and asset-backed Sukuk.


Malaysia's role as an evolved domestic ecosystem vs. the GCC's US dollar market.


The powerful and growing synergy between Islamic finance and ESG investing.



For investors, financial professionals, and policymakers, this is a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing segments of the global debt capital market.

In a global debt market of over $100 trillion, the Shariah-compliant Sukuk market has just crossed its own major milestone: $1 trillion. But what exactly are these Islamic financial instruments, how do they differ from conventional debt, and what's driving their rapid growth?Bashar Al Natoor, Global Head of Islamic Finance at Fitch Ratings, joins us to get into all this and more.We discuss:<ul><li>What Sukuk are and how they differ from conventional bonds.</li><li>The key drivers behind the market's growth to over $1 trillion.</li><li>The important difference between asset-based and asset-backed Sukuk.</li><li>Malaysia's role as an evolved domestic ecosystem vs. the GCC's US dollar market.</li><li>The powerful and growing synergy between Islamic finance and ESG investing.</li></ul>For investors, financial professionals, and policymakers, this is a deep dive into one of the fastest-growing segments of the global debt capital market.

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Enterprise Explores

Inside the $1 Trillion Global Sukuk Market

Malaysians aren't just online shoppers; they're among the world's most confident and frequent cross-border consumers. A new study by Airwallex and Statista found 94% of Malaysians are confident in buying from international merchants, and 72% do so at least once a month, far outpacing global averages.



Aren Yip, Malaysia Country Manager at Airwallex, joins us to unpack what's driving this borderless shopping culture. He discusses the outsized role of influencers, the critical importance of localised payments, and the ‘mental hurdles’ local SMEs must overcome to seize this massive international opportunity.



We discuss:


Why Malaysians are more confident and frequent cross-border shoppers than the global average.


The three drivers of this trend: global media, sales promotions, and trust.


The outsized role of influencers, with 76% of Malaysians swayed by them.


The critical importance of localised payments (like FPX and e-wallets) for conversion.


The opportunities and ‘mental hurdles’ for Malaysian SMEs looking to export.

Malaysians aren't just online shoppers; they're among the world's most confident and frequent cross-border consumers. A new study by Airwallex and Statista found 94% of Malaysians are confident in buying from international merchants, and 72% do so at least once a month, far outpacing global averages.Aren Yip, Malaysia Country Manager at Airwallex, joins us to unpack what's driving this borderless shopping culture. He discusses the outsized role of influencers, the critical importance of localised payments, and the ‘mental hurdles’ local SMEs must overcome to seize this massive international opportunity.We discuss:<ul><li>Why Malaysians are more confident and frequent cross-border shoppers than the global average.</li><li>The three drivers of this trend: global media, sales promotions, and trust.</li><li>The outsized role of influencers, with 76% of Malaysians swayed by them.</li><li>The critical importance of localised payments (like FPX and e-wallets) for conversion.</li><li>The opportunities and ‘mental hurdles’ for Malaysian SMEs looking to export.</li></ul>

Malaysians, The World's Most Confident Shoppers?

Are you one of the 76% of Malaysian consumers thinking about switching car brands? A new report from Deloitte reveals a shift in the automotive market, with brand loyalty at a regional low as a flood of new players enters the scene.



Kevin Ohkohchi, Consumer Leader at Deloitte Malaysia, joins us to unpack the findings from their 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Survey. 



We discuss:


Why 76% of Malaysians plan to switch brands for their next vehicle.


The shift in preference back to hybrids over pure EVs.


The top criteria for Malaysian buyers: performance over price.


The key barriers to EV adoption: charging, time, and cost premiums.


How the end of CBU tax exemptions will likely shift the market to local assembly (CKD).

Are you one of the 76% of Malaysian consumers thinking about switching car brands? A new report from Deloitte reveals a shift in the automotive market, with brand loyalty at a regional low as a flood of new players enters the scene.Kevin Ohkohchi, Consumer Leader at Deloitte Malaysia, joins us to unpack the findings from their 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Survey.&nbsp;We discuss:<ul><li>Why 76% of Malaysians plan to switch brands for their next vehicle.</li><li>The shift in preference back to hybrids over pure EVs.</li><li>The top criteria for Malaysian buyers: performance over price.</li><li>The key barriers to EV adoption: charging, time, and cost premiums.</li><li>How the end of CBU tax exemptions will likely shift the market to local assembly (CKD).</li></ul>

Why 76% of Malaysians Are Switching Car Brands

A recent broadcast error, where several regional leaders were misidentified on air, has sparked questions about how such mistakes happen in an era where automation and AI are increasingly woven into production workflows.



We don’t know whether technology played a role in that specific case, but it’s prompted a broader conversation: as organisations rely more on automation to handle information at speed, are we creating new risks when it comes to accuracy and accountability?



We discuss and explore this with technologist, writer, and host of Mattsplained, Matt Armitage from Kulturpop.

A recent broadcast error, where several regional leaders were misidentified on air, has sparked questions about how such mistakes happen in an era where automation and AI are increasingly woven into production workflows.We don’t know whether technology played a role in that specific case, but it’s prompted a broader conversation: as organisations rely more on automation to handle information at speed, are we creating new risks when it comes to accuracy and accountability?We discuss and explore this with technologist, writer, and host of Mattsplained, Matt Armitage from Kulturpop.

Inside the $1 Trillion Global Sukuk Market

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