KUCHING: An additional 56,000 experts are needed in the banking and financial sector to accommodate the expected higher demand by 2020.
Risk management, wealth management, Islamic finance and investment advisory services are among critical areas in the sector that need to be filled.
According to deputy president of Malaysian Financial Planning Council (MFPC) Mohamad Akwal Sultan, apart from the expected higher demand brought about by the government’s Economic Transformation Programme, Islamic Banking and Takaful subsector alone would offer 12,000 new job opportunities.
“The Financial Sector Blueprint (2011-2020) says that key to supporting the growth and advancement of the financial industry is a steady stream of competent and dynamic talents. Young graduates have better opportunity for employment and holding key positions in the industry.
“In addition, the internationalisation of Islamic finance to Europe and other parts of the world proves that our Shariah programme is indeed meeting market demands,” he said at the launching of MFPC (Sarawak Chapter) and a day seminar on ‘Understanding Shariah Financial Planning and Industrial Opportunity’ at the Islamic Information Centre here yesterday.
Among topics presented at the talk were ‘Fundamental of Shariah Financial Planning Risk & Takaful Planning’, ‘Shariah Estate Planning and Retirement Planning’ and ‘Career Outlook & Opportunities in Financial Planning’.
Assistant Minister of Public Health Dr Jerip Susil was the guest-of-honour at the launching ceremony. Also present was the council’s Sarawak Chapter president James Bong.