ISLAMIC CORPORATE FINANCE: PRINCIPLES AND DEVELOPMENT IN EUROPE

Islamic Finance has grown exponentially over the past decade and its banking segment has become systemically important, moving from a niche position to a mainstream component of the global banking system. Islamic Finance refers to a financial system which is consistent with principles of Islamic law (or 'Sharia') and guided by Islamic ethics. This dissertation provides an overview of Islamic Finance and identifies the founding principles and financial instruments of this alternative and complementary model, which is intended to play a key role in international markets and to open new perspectives for economic and financial operators.