BGC Taguig City, Philippines — In a strategic move to accelerate financial inclusion and ethical innovation, Salvador-Marohombsar and Lao-Tiboron (M&T) Consultants, Islamic Co. and FinTech Alliance.PH officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today, establishing a collaborative framework to strengthen the Islamic finance ecosystem in the Philippines.
The partnership aims to modernize and digitize the Islamic Finance (IF) landscape, ensuring that Shari’ah-compliant solutions are accessible to both Muslim and non-Muslim Filipinos through advanced digital platforms.
A Unified Vision for Inclusive Finance
The collaboration focuses on bringing Shari’ah-compliant financial tools directly to the fingertips of the people. Under the agreement, the two organizations will work to operationalize diverse IF sectors, including:
1. Islamic Capital Markets: M&T will provide technical advisory and professional support to facilitate the development and scaling of investment frameworks.
2. Digital Finance Modernization: The partnership supports the modernization of Islamic finance programs in response to community demand for technology-enabled delivery and reporting.
3. Banking and Takaful: M&T will assist fintech providers in developing compliant financial products and operational frameworks aligned with Shari’ah principles.
Strengthening the Regulatory Landscape
A core pillar of the MOU is the commitment to support Philippine regulators in their efforts to champion a robust Islamic finance environment through policy dialogues. M&T and its global partners will facilitate avenues for policy dialogue and development of governance standards, helping to strengthen national and regional poverty reduction plans through inclusive finance.
Unlocking ASEAN Integration
Beyond domestic growth, the partnership is designed to position the Philippines as a competitive and active participant in the regional Islamic finance landscape. By aligning local fintech innovations with global standards and leveraging international linkages, the initiative seeks to foster ASEAN integration, allowing the Philippines to stand alongside neighboring countries that possess mature Islamic financial systems.
Capacity Building and Professional Excellence
To ensure the sustainability of these initiatives, M&T will provide FinTech Alliance members with access to globally recognized certification programs and specialized training. These programs, offered at preferential rates for members, are intended to upskill professionals and institutions for responsible market participation in the digital Islamic finance space.
The MOU was signed by Lito Villanueva, Chairperson of FinTech Alliance.PH, and Hamodi Lao Tiboron, Managing Partner of M&T. Both parties highlighted their shared commitment to mobilizing the technical and institutional resources necessary to build a more innovative and financially inclusive future for the region.
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