BSP assistant governor receives WOMANi Professional Award in Islamic banking

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Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assistant Governor Arifa A. Ala (left) was cited as one of the most influential women in Islamic business and finance and received the 2022 “WOMANi Professional Award” during a ceremony held in Jakarta, Indonesia on 12 December 2022.

Professor Humayon Dar (right), founder of the Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA) and director general of Cambridge Institute of Islamic Finance, conferred the recognition on Assistant Governor Ala who chairs the BSP-led Islamic Finance Coordination Forum.

Now on its fourth year, the annual WOMANi Professional Award recognizes the contributions and achievements of strong and exceptionally talented women in Islamic business and finance globally.

Assistant Governor Ala said, “The citation also recognizes the BSP’s contributions, initiatives, and accomplishments in the promotion of Islamic banking in the Philippines through a whole-of-government approach.”

The BSP leads system-wide efforts toward establishing a sustainable and vibrant Islamic finance ecosystem in the country.

The awards are given under Cambridge IFA’s^[1]  WOMANi Programme, which has built a growing global network of women in Islamic business and finance. The programme aims to empower women from diverse backgrounds across the globe by raising awareness, providing opportunities, and celebrating their achievements in the industry.

^[1] About | Cambridge IFA (cambridge-ifa.net) Cambridge IFA is a financial services intelligence house that specialises in developing and utilising powerful cutting edge analytical tools to evaluate business data, assess macroeconomic indicators and understand market trends, leadership positioning and brand development relevant to the development of the financial services industry globally. The principal activity of Cambridge IFA is developing performance indicators specific to alternative practices of banking and finance. It also aims to provide strategic advice to governments, financial institutions and multilateral organisations in the development of financial markets including alternative banking and finance products, procedures, practices and policies.