The development of Halal industry points out an amazing result around the world,including Indonesia. Surprisingly, the biggest contributor for its growth is Micro, Smalland Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In order to improve its significant contribution, thecombination of Halal MSMEs and Islamic financing becomes very crucial. Nevertheless,there is still a lack of awareness of the concept and of intention from MSMEs regardingthe penetration of Islamic financing. Therefore, this study investigates the determinantsaffecting the MSMEs’ desire for utilizing Islamic financing from the Islamic financialinstitution and encouraging Halal MSMEs to adopt Islamic financing in all businessactivities. A survey was conducted on 58 MSMEs in Yogyakarta, Indonesia byemploying self-administered questionnaire as the main approach for data collection.By using Structural Equation Modeling- Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS) analysis, thisstudy reveals that from the variables examined, Cost Benefit and Halal Awareness arethe two factors that have impact on the Use of Islamic Financing. In addition, CostBenefit and Reputation are the two variables that have direct impact on the Attitudeof MSMEs toward Islamic Financing. Interestingly, this research also finds that Berkahas the key component in Islamic financing will be gained by MSMEs when they useIslamic financing instrument, and, thus will encourage Halal MSMEs’ intention to reuseIslamic financing. Moreover, service quality and competitiveness are very crucialto maintain the customer satisfaction. In addition, preaching Berkah as key componentin Muslim life is an important agenda in the future development of Halal Industry,especially in MSMEs sectors.

Various poverty alleviation programs are always launched by the government from year to year. But it is not able to change the state of this country to become more self-sufficient and prosperous. If explored further, the majority of people classified as poor are working as farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to alleviate poverty policy that focuses on the welfare of farmers. So that when the policy is successfully realized, the majority of the poor in Indonesia will be able to independently through the development of the agricultural sector. One of the problems faced by farmers is weak stimulus funds from financial institutions. Due to the agriculture sector is seen as high risk, the financial institutions tend to feel worried if that financing for the sector. In anticipation of losses on crop failure, it is important applied an insurance that serves to protect the farm. So that financial institutions have the courage to do the financing for the agricultural sector. Meanwhile, zakat is one of the Islamic public financial instruments with the potential to be developed. Zakat funds channeled to 8 asnaf, including for the poor. So, it is possible if the charity can be used as agricultural insurance fund for farmers who are poor. Based on the explanation, this paper is intended to offer a model of the distribution of zakat to the poor farmers through takaful. The hope when this model is applied, will invite many financial institutions in stimulating agricultural business funds. The final implications are the farmers’ productivity increased and the quantity of the poor in Indonesia will be reduced.

The public relations concept is a basic concept that must exist in various organizations. The strategy taken might be affected by or affect a cultural image. In the current world, Islamic institutions have emerged and grown rapidly. In particular, in the financial industry, Islamic banking in Malaysia has become a pioneer and evidently survives within the industry. Having said that, the public relations concept supposes to engage within their activities, also. But then, as Islamic values are being their foundation, it might influence their public relations strategy. Hence, the objective of this study is to observe the Islamic values that influencing the public relations and the cultural image strategy of the Islamic institution which primarily is Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad (BIMB). We chose them because Bank Islam is a first and pioneer of Islamic banking in Malaysia that expected to be a very Islamic banking version. By using a case study approach dependent on a circuit of culture (COC) model, this study found that Bank Islam as full-pledge Islamic banking has engaged with Islamic culture in their business activities and well-done in applying public relations strategies. Five elements of the COC framework consist of regulation, production, consumption, representation, and identity have been interlinked with the annual report as well as Bank Islam’s website.

The present study aims to investigate the determinants of food security in nine developing and least-developed countries of Southeast Asia. By adopting fixed effects model of panel regression with interaction terms, using yearly data (2006-2016), the results showed that all explanatory variables are significant, except agriculture land and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Employment in agriculture, Consumer Price Index (CPI), and Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) positively affect food production. Meanwhile, CO2 emission and gross fixed capital negatively related to food production. The study also found that employment in agriculture gives negative impact on food production when it interacts with CO2 emission and agriculture land. When RGDP interacts with CPI, it also contributes negatively to food production. However, gross fixed capital has a positive and significant relationship with food production when it interacts with CO2 emission. The findings postulate the importance of appropriate policies and innovative programs for agriculture sector to boost food production as well as to hamper food insecurity in Southeast Asia countries.

This study aims to examine the impact of macroprudential policy particlarly the relaxing of Financing to Value (FTV) on property financing of Islamic bank in case of Indonesia. In addition, this paper also analyzes the impact of macroeconomic variables and specific factors on property financing in Islamic Bank. This paper collects data from the Bank Indonesia website, the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Central Statistics Agency (CSA) form January 2010 until April 2016. By employing Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), this study found that inflation and Industry Produce Index (IPI) have been positively influence on the property financing, while the BI rate and financing to deposit ratio (FDR) have been negatively influence on the property financing. While the relaxing of FTV policy also negatively influence on the property financing. Therefore, This study conludes that the policy have not effectived yet.