GATEWAYF i n a n c i a l P a r t n e r s

MARKET RESEARCH STRUCTURING & IMPLEMENTATION TRAINING SHARIA CERTIFICATIONCONTACT

info@gateway-partners.co.uk

gateway-partners.co.uk

GATEWAY FINANCIAL PARTNERS

We are a niche financial consultancy specialising in assisting Asset Management firms access Islamic investor markets.This includes market research, product review and structuring suitable Sharia-compliant products.

Our specialist team has extensive experience across diverse financial services sectors and possesses international credentials in Islamic banking & finance, including the development and certification of Islamic financial products and contracts.

Our skills, experience and access to world-renowned Islamic Finance scholars provides clients with a cost-effective and dynamic gateway to enter this growing market and expand the market reach of their products.

OUR WORK IS FOCUSSED IN THE FOLLOWING KEY AREAS:

Market research and feasibility assessment

We can perform bespoke research tailored to our clients’ products and needs. This may include an assessment of the feasibility of re-structuring existing fund structures and trading strategies into a Sharia-compliant product. Where required, we will outline the changes required in order to enable a Sharia-compliant solution.We can then undertake on-the-ground research on consumer demand/preferences and potential market size for the identified Sharia-compliant products. The

purpose of this research is to ensure that there is sufficient understanding of the product/trading parameters and of the potential market demand for such products, prior to undertaking structuring work.

Structuring and implementation

We have direct access to world-renowned Islamic Finance scholars allowing us to provide cost-effective structuring solutions, with the required Sharia accreditation.

We work with our clients to create a Sharia-compliant structure which considers both the commercial objectives of the Sharia-sensitive investor and the operational requirements and capabilities of the financial institution. In addition to working closely with the scholars to obtain parameters for permissible structures and trading, our work can include the following elements depending on specific client requirements:

Sharia review of legal documentsWe review all legal documents (articles of association, prospectus, management agreements, etc.) related to the product offering to ensure that they are consistent with the proposed structure and are Sharia-compliant. We work closely both with our client and their legal advisors to implement any necessary changes to documentation language.

Operational implementation and trainingWe can work with the financial institution to ensure that there is full understanding of the operational

requirements required to maintain Sharia-compliance. This may include development of internal operations and full documentation of procedures manuals and related staff training.

Sharia monitoring and ongoing certificationAs well as arranging the initial Sharia accreditation of the product, we are able to provide monitoring and review to ensure that operations and investments continue to comply with the Islamic investment guidelines. This function is performed on a frequency agreed with the scholars, to allow their continued accreditation of the product.

Again, our strong relationships with the scholars allow us to implement these requirements in the most cost-effective manner.

Distribution

Our access into the relevant markets allows us to assist clients with distribution of products as a separate engagement.

In summary Gateway Financial Partners is able to assist our clients through:

• employing a qualified and experienced team to carry out extensive and complex market research to fully analyse and apply information • the creation of Sharia-compliant structures: we work with our clients to create a structure which considers both the commercial objectives of the

Sharia-sensitive investor and the operational requirements and capabilities of the financial institution • working closely with the Islamic scholars and our client and their legal advisors to implement any necessary changes to documentation to ensure Sharia-compliance • reviewing all legal documents related to the product offering to ensure they are consistent with the proposed structure and requirements • working with the financial institution to ensure they understand the full operational workings of a product and the development of internal operations and procedure manuals • procuring the Fatwa which is a ruling confirming the Sharia-compliance of the financial product by working closely with world renowned Islamic scholars, thus demonstrating accreditation to the market • obtaining ongoing accreditation by monitoring operations and investments to ensure that they continue to comply with the Islamic investment guidelines • utilising our strong and long-standing relationships with the scholars, together with our extensive experience, to ensure access to this growing market in the a cost-effective and client-focussed manner.