31 July 2026
The Islamic Bank of Thailand (ibank) hosted its executive leadership forum, Executive Dialogue: “Shaping the Future of ibank,” under the theme “Belief + Trust + Future • Writing Our Future Together.” The forum was designed to strengthen the Bank’s organizational readiness for its transformation into a modern Islamic bank that is innovative, competitive, and well-positioned to meet the evolving demands of the financial industry. The event brought together senior executives and distinguished experts from Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, BIMB Securities Sdn. Bhd., and INCEIF University, who shared more than four decades of Malaysia’s experience in developing a resilient Islamic financial ecosystem. Their insights provided valuable international perspectives and practical best practices that can be adapted to Thailand’s regulatory and market environment. The event was held on July 31, 2026 at Al Meroz Hotel, Bangkok, and was officially opened by Mr. Yongyutt Chaipromprasith, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Bank of Thailand. The event was attended by members of the Board of Directors, the Shariah Advisory Committee, senior executives, and department heads of the Bank, who joined more than 60 executives and experts from Malaysia in exchanging views and experiences.
Mr. Yongyutt Chaipromprasith, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Islamic Bank of Thailand, said, “The financial industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by advances in technology, evolving customer expectations, and an increasingly dynamic regulatory environment. Preparing our organization for these changes is therefore a critical factor in determining the Bank’s future competitiveness. This Executive Dialogue provides an important opportunity for us to learn from Malaysia’s leading Islamic financial institutions and to adapt their knowledge and experience to Thailand’s unique context. Through this exchange, we are laying the foundation for our future under the theme, ‘Belief + Trust + Future • Writing Our Future Together.’”
A welcome video message was delivered by Yang Mulia Raja Datin Paduka Teh Maimunah Raja Abdul Aziz, Group Chief Executive Officer of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, who described the initiative as more than a partnership between institutions. She highlighted the close relationship between Thailand and Malaysia and reaffirmed Bank Islam’s commitment to sharing more than forty years of expertise to support the sustainable development of Islamic finance across the region.
Throughout the Executive Dialogue, experts from Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, BIMB Securities Sdn. Bhd., and INCEIF University delivered five strategic sessions covering key dimensions of organizational transformation toward a modern Islamic bank. The programme opened with “Islamic Finance as a Strategic Enabler of Economic Growth,” presented by Dr. Rosnani Rasul, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of BIMB Securities Sdn. Bhd., who highlighted the role of Islamic finance as a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive economic growth. This was followed by “Experience of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad,” in which Adjunct Professor Mohd Nazri Chik, Group Chief Shariah & Sustainability Officer of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, shared valuable lessons from more than four decades of institutional development, emphasizing the importance of Shariah governance, corporate leadership, and sustainability. The third session, “Product Development,” was delivered by Mr. Azlan Abdul Samad, Director of Product & Innovation Division of Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, who presented practical approaches to developing innovative Shariah-compliant financial products that respond to evolving customer needs and market dynamics.
The fourth session combined “Internalisation Process Recap,” presented by Ust. Muhammad Shahier Sa’min, Head of Shariah at BIMB Securities Sdn. Bhd., with “Key Findings from the Pre-Dialogue Engagement,” presented by Professor Dr. Amir Shaharuddin, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Islamic Social Finance at INCEIF University. Together, the session reviewed the internal engagement process undertaken prior to the Dialogue and highlighted key findings from discussions with ibank’s leadership, providing an evidence-based foundation for the Bank’s future strategic direction.
The programme concluded with “Strategic Reassessment 2026–2030: Transitioning ibank from Operational Recovery to Structural Financial Normalisation,” delivered by Professor Emeritus Dato’ Azmi Omar, President and Chief Executive Officer of INCEIF University. His presentation offered strategic perspectives on repositioning ibank for its next phase of development by transitioning from operational recovery to long-term structural financial resilience, institutional sustainability, and sustainable growth.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Thaweelap Rittapirom, Director and President of the Islamic Bank of Thailand, said, “This Executive Dialogue was more than a platform for knowledge sharing; it marked the beginning of the Bank’s journey in preparing for a significant organizational transformation. The knowledge and experience shared by international experts will be translated into practical initiatives to strengthen our people’s capabilities, enhance our products and services, reinforce our governance framework, and drive the Islamic Bank of Thailand toward becoming a modern Islamic bank with strong governance and sustainable growth.”
The Executive Dialogue: “Shaping the Future of ibank” marked a significant milestone in strengthening ibank’s organizational readiness for its transformation into a modern Islamic bank. By bringing together more than four decades of experience from Malaysia’s leading Islamic financial institutions with Thailand’s unique operating environment, the Dialogue fostered strategic discussions on Islamic finance, Shariah governance, product development, organizational transformation, and long-term institutional sustainability. The insights gained will help shape ibank’s future strategic direction, strengthen organizational capabilities, and reinforce its commitment to delivering ethical, innovative, and sustainable financial services.
