Islamic Finance
The Islamic finance team Islamic finance is one of the most dynamic fields in today s global financial marketplace. Our global Islamic finance team, made up of experienced attorneys, civil law notaries and tax lawyers, is involved in innovative Islamic finance structures for cross-border as well as local transactions. Clients include corporates, financial institutions and investment managers, both from inside and outside the Benelux (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg). We have in-depth and up-to-date knowledge of the relevant legal and tax aspects involved in setting up Shari a-compliant structures, and we understand the economics of Islamic finance transactions. Extensive tax treaty networks combined with beneficial tax systems and on-shore status, these are just some of the Benelux benefits. We work closely together with our specialists on, among others, asset finance, project finance, investment management, securitisation, real estate, energy and regulatory matters, whether they are working from our main Benelux offices or from our Dubai, London, New York, Singapore or other international offices. Moreover, we are in close contact with key market players, as well as regulatory and tax authorities, to further pave the way for Islamic finance products in the Benelux market, ranging from complex Sukuk structures to Islamic finance retail products such as Shari a-compliant home finance.
The Benelux offers distinct advantages for Islamic finance, Benefits of the Benelux including a suitable tax and regulatory environment. The Benelux provides significant benefits for Islamic finance transactions: Extensive tax treaty networks combined with beneficial tax systems and onshore OECD proof status. Extensive bilateral investment treaties that are worded in a particularly favourable way, providing investment protection for global investments through the Benelux countries. The possibility to obtain certainty in advance from the Revenue Service. The profit calculation method thanks to which different types of income are treated the same way from a tax perspective, which allows flexibility when offsetting various types of income with various types of losses or costs, thereby reducing the risk of tax leakage. A modern, beneficial and efficient regulatory and corporate framework available throughout the Benelux, which offers flexible vehicles in most jurisdictions that provide ample opportunities for structuring Islamic finance transactions.
Islamic Finance Islamic finance products We can assist you in setting up a wide variety of Islamic finance products. Based on our deal experience and market insights we bring innovative structuring solutions to the table in respect of, amongst other things: Sukuk structures involving a wide variety of asset classes Structured (asset) finance, including (leveraged) Ijara (leasing) transactions Project finance transactions, structured on the basis of Istisn a Islamic investment fund structures, including Mudaraba structures Acquisition finance, based on Murabaha / Tawarruq principles Shari a-compliant retail products, such as home financing and retail funds Real estate investments, based on for example Ijara or Musharaka principles Private equity investments Estate planning
As a leading firm, is the natural choice for a legal and tax partner if you do business in or from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, our home markets. You can count on personal advice from any of our 900 advisers based in one of our offices in the Benelux or in key financial centres around the world. Thanks to our full-service practice, specific sector experience and thorough understanding of the market, our advisers understand exactly what you need.
Contacts Kees Hooft Senior associate (Banking & Finance) T +31 20 578 57 25 E kees.hooft@loyensloeff.com Niels Muller Senior associate (Tax) T +31 20 578 52 33 E niels.muller@loyensloeff.com Valérie Mantot Senior associate (Investment management) T +971 4 437 27 09 E valerie.mantot@loyensloeff.com Jan Bart Schober Partner (Tax) T +971 4 437 27 00 E jan.bart.schober@loyensloeff.com
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