Weekend Update

• Islamic bank PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Syariah (BRI Syariah) expects its assets to double to 3 trillion rupiah ($297.6 million). In 2008, the share of assets held by Islamic banks was 2% of total assets which is expected to increase to 3 percent in 2009.
  
• Following legal changes earlier this year, Kazakhstan expects to see three or four Islamic banks open this year according to central bank head Grigory Marchenko.
  
• Bahrain-based Gulf Finance House plans to continue its planned investments in North Africa despite the economic crisis.
  
• Following supportive comments from the Australian government, National Australian Bank plans to offer Islamic financial products on a trial basis.
  
• Al Salam Bank-Bahrain is investing in a building in London's financial district.