Gold dinars as trading currency, among resolutions passed

Published: Thursday January 15, 2009 MYT 7:52:00 PM
Gold dinars as trading currency, among resolutions passed


KUALA LUMPUR: The initiative to expedite the use of gold dinars as an alternative key trading currency was among 29 resolutions adopted at the Third Islamic Economic Congress that ended on Thursday.

The four-day congress attended by some 1,000 participants and observers also want the move to integrate Islamic finance system among Islamic nations at regional and global levels be speeded up.

It was also suggested Malaysia take the lead in the Economic Chapter of the 57-member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in paving the way for restriction-free investment and trade inflow to Islamic countries.

Earlier, the Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, in his closing address asked the congress committee to present the resolutions passed as an "information paper" to the Conference of Rulers.

To pursue economic system growth, syariah-based business and entrepreneurship, the congress proposed to the government to set up Islamic Economic Research Institute Malaysia to conduct macro and micro studies.

The congress also passed a resolution to pursue the "business holy war" for Muslim traders to strengthen their socioeconomic status by promoting entrepreneurial skills.

It also urged the government to set an economic attainment target including for equity and asset ownership by Muslims in the country.

The government was also urged to fix new Key Performance Indicators for government agencies and governmentlinked companies (GLCs) to empower small and medium scale industries run by Muslim entrepreneurs.

To support the effort, the congress suggested the establishment of an Islamic SMI Consultative Council to provide the participative avenue for representatives from all sectors.

A corporate endowment body by government trust bodies and GLCs must be initiated in line with the corporate social responsibility, it said.

In tandem with plans to set up entrepreneur-friendly financial institutions, the congress suggested the formation of Bank Pembangunan Islam Malaysia, Bank Al Qardhul Hassan, Bank Permodalan dan Pelaburan Wakaf Antarabangsa.

It also proposed the formation of an Islamic Religious Affairs Coordination Ministry to smoothen coordination and administration of the nation's economic issues and Malaysian Muslims economic activities. - Bernama