Copy of Gpa Calc 2.1.0

Despite the devastation caused by the recent financial crisis and the mixed outlook for the financial system as a whole, increasing attention has been turned toward the area of Islamic Finance. By the end of 2010, the total assets under management in the Islamic finance sector rose to above the US $1 trillion dollar mark . This highly symbolic achievement was even more astounding since recent estimates suggest that the sector is expected to grow at a rate of nearly 20% per annum, far beyond what is expected from the conventional sector .

This being said, looking beyond the staggering growth estimates, what are there barriers which could compromise the ongoing growth of Islamic finance internationally? Could these barriers cause Islamic financial institutions to be at a perpetual disadvantage relative to their conventional counterparts? If so, what does this mean for the ability of Islamic financial institutions to compete in the continuously globalizing financial markets? These questions have significant implications for the future of Islamic finance, as the existence of barriers in various markets across the world could jeopardize the further expansion of this sector. This analytical research paper is intended to uncover these barriers and determine the consequences and implications they hold for the expansion of Islamic finance internationally.

In terms of the methodology to be used, the initial research phase will be to conduct a thorough evaluation of the subject nations including: the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Sudan, Egypt, Malaysia, South Korea and China, and briefly assess the current state of Islamic finance in each region. Having completed this initial phase, the research will then shift toward determining potential obstacles, challenges and disadvantages in each region which could impede growth in the long run. In order to provide a comprehensive analysis, the research will need to be thorough