Islamic securities (Islamic certificates, sukuk) are securities that allow you to earn income from a particular business, asset or investment strategy. In very simple terms, they can be seen as a hybrid of stocks and bonds. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that the funds raised through their issuance must be invested in adherence to Islamic financial principles.
The Islamic financial principles involve observance of specific investment prohibitions. Promising fixed interest or investing in fixed-interest instruments is not permissible. Also, financing activities that conflict with Sharia religious prohibitions, such as the production of alcohol, is not allowed. Moreover, the use of capital separate from real assets for speculative purposes or knowingly exposing it to a high degree of risk is forbidden.
A Sharia Council, specifically formed for the issuance of such securities, monitors compliance with these Islamic financial principles. The law imposes stringent requirements on its members concerning their education (in law or economics, supplemented with Islamic finance) and work experience.
In the Kyrgyz Republic, issuance of five types of Islamic certificates is permissible by law:
The BTS Stock Exchange of Kyrgyzstan allows the listing of all types of Islamic certificates. Additionally, the Sharia Council, established at the exchange, enables the exchange to offer services to specialized Islamic financial institutions.