Financial services giant Franklin Templeton announced the appointment of Hardeep Dogra to its Global Sukuk and MENA Fixed Income team, bolstering its expertise in Islamic finance. Dogra joins the team as a Portfolio Manager and Research Analyst, bringing his experience to a unit recognized as one of the largest globally focused on sukuk investments.
Franklin Templeton has established a strong presence in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and the company highlighted its commitment to the Islamic finance sector with this key hire. Dogra will be based in Dubai, a strategic location for the sukuk market. The company emphasized the team’s stability, with senior members boasting over a decade of collaboration, which they believe positions them well to capture emerging opportunities.
Commenting on his appointment, Dogra expressed his enthusiasm about joining the team, acknowledging Franklin Templeton’s stature as a world leader in asset management. He underscored his eagerness to contribute to the team’s success and participate in exploring promising investment avenues across the MENA region and other developing markets worldwide.
Dogra’s appointment comes at a time when the sukuk market is experiencing steady growth. Sukuk are Islamic bonds structured in accordance with Sharia law, which prohibits the receipt or payment of interest. They have become increasingly popular among investors seeking Sharia-compliant fixed-income instruments. Franklin Templeton’s decision to expand its sukuk team reflects this growing market trend.
The company manages approximately $3. 8 billion in sukuk and MENA fixed income assets, with teams spread across Dubai, Riyadh, Kuala Lumpur, and Hyderabad. This geographical distribution allows Franklin Templeton to stay close to key sukuk issuers and regional markets. Notably, the company boasts a dedicated trading desk in Dubai, further solidifying its commitment to the Islamic finance sector.
Franklin Templeton’s move to strengthen its sukuk expertise aligns with the growing demand for Sharia-compliant financial instruments. Dogra’s appointment positions the company to capitalize on this trend and contribute to the continued development of the sukuk market.
