CIMB Group has announced plans to collaborate with the Securities Commission Malaysia and Bursa Malaysia to pilot new Islamic capital market instruments under the FIKRALab platform. The initiative aims to expand Shariah-compliant investment options and further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global hub for Islamic finance.
The pilot will be carried out as part of FIKRALab, an innovation and applied research platform launched by the Securities Commission. It also aligns with the Capital Market Masterplan 2026–2030, which focuses on broadening the investment universe for Shariah-compliant funds and enabling greater access to opportunities within the region’s growing Islamic banking sector.
FIKRALab’s first phase is designed to unlock Shariah-derived income within mixed-activity business groups, offering more flexible and inclusive investment structures. The platform brings together regulators and industry players to co-create practical and scalable Islamic financial solutions.
This move supports CIMB’s broader strategy to expand its presence in Islamic finance, identified as a key growth area under its Forward30 plan. Currently, more than half of the group’s financing portfolio in Malaysia is Shariah-compliant, highlighting its strong position in the sector.
In Indonesia, CIMB’s subsidiary is also progressing with plans to spin off its Islamic banking unit into a fully independent Islamic bank, reinforcing its regional ambitions in Islamic finance.
Group CEO Novan Amirudin stated that the bank sees strong potential to introduce new Shariah-compliant structures for investors while contributing to the development and diversification of Malaysia’s Islamic capital market.
Overall, the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to innovation, resilience, and international competitiveness, supporting Malaysia’s continued leadership in Islamic capital market development.