Mr. Kemal Rizadi Arbi has 25 years of global professional experience in the banking and financial industry, both public and private sector, particularly in investment banking, Islamic finance, corporate finance and as a regulator and strategic developer of capital markets including Islamic capital markets.

 

He has been involved in various global conventional and Islamic transactions for fundraising and investments including equity, fixed-income and investment funds. He has established a diverse network with various international stakeholders, both in the government and private sectors based on his global professional experience in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Asian region.

 

He is currently involved in advising, strategizing and driving developmental efforts for the Oman capital market including the Islamic capital market as an Advisor at the Capital Market Authority, Sultanate of Oman (Oman CMA). He had led and established the new Sukuk Regulation, Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Funds Regulation (including for Islamic REITs) and the Takeover and Acquisition Regulation in Oman.

 

He was also appointed by the Oman Ministry of Finance to be on the Oman Government Sukuk Committee which was responsible for the issuance of the 1st sovereign Sukuk of OMR 250 million (US$ 651 million) which won the 2015 IFN Sovereign Deal Of The Year Award in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

 

He has also been appointed as a Committee Member at Oman’s Education Council to look at the development of Waqf/endowment funds for schools and universities.

 

He is also on the Oman Government Tanfeedh (National Program for Enhancing Economic Diversification) Committee on REIT Funds under the Creative Financing Sector of the program, as part of the Oman Government’s strategy in diversifying the economy, looking at alternative financing for economic development, and attracting foreign investments into Oman.

 

Prior to joining the Oman CMA, he had led and established strategic initiatives for the development of the Malaysian capital market including Islamic capital market, through senior positions heading various departments at the Securities Commission Malaysia. 

 

In addition, he had previously been involved in investment banking and corporate advisory as a Director and Team Head in a few leading investment banks. He was leading, managing and advising investment banking clients on strategy, structuring and execution of various corporate transactions including fundraising exercises, initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring of companies and investments.

 

He was awarded a Malaysian government scholarship for top scholars for studies at the University of Iowa, U.S. where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science. He also holds an MBA (Finance) from the International Islamic University Malaysia and Chartered Islamic Finance Professional (CIFP) Master’s degree from INCEIF, Malaysia.