Islamic Banking: a Growing or Shrinking Consumer Market in Kuwait?
By Faten Jabsheh, Weam Behbehani, and Shaima Al-Shamali
Abstract: “The steady expansion of Islamic banks (IBs) has been the hallmark of the Muslim financial landscape of the 1980s and 1990s. With a network that covers over 60 countries and an asset base of over $166 billion, Islamic banks are currently playing an increasingly significant financial and developmental role in their respective economies. Islamic banking has gained increased attention in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) over the past number of years, capturing a growing 13% share of total Islamic banking assets around the world. This paper questions the growth of Islamic banking activity in the GCC, and focuses on developing prospects for one GCC country, namely Kuwait. Using detailed survey instruments regarding the provision of various Islamic banking services, the results of this study affirm the hypothesis that Islamic banking is claiming a growing market share and consumer market in Kuwait.” Islamic Banking: a Growing or Shrinking Consumer Market in Kuwait?
