The UK–Türkiye Islamic Finance Forum was held in London with the participation of leading figures from the Islamic finance sector. Organized by the UK Department for Business and Trade in collaboration with the Participation Banks Association of Türkiye (TKBB), the event served as a platform for high-level discussions on the future of Islamic finance and facilitated productive exchanges on recent trends in the industry.
The forum opened with welcoming remarks from UK Consul General and Trade Commissioner Kenan Poleo. This was followed by an address from Türkiye's Treasury and Finance Minister Mehmet Şimşek, who highlighted the enduring importance of bilateral relations between Türkiye and the United Kingdom. Speaking directly to the international investors in attendance, Şimşek described Türkiye as “a large, dynamic, and reforming economy." The Minister also emphasized Türkiye's commitment to environmental goals, stating, “Türkiye is prioritizing its green transformation. Nearly 50 percent of the electricity consumed over the past 12 months has come from renewable sources."
Investment and Finance Office President A. Burak Dağlıoğlu also addressed the audience. He underlined that Türkiye stands out positively in the eyes of global investors amid geopolitical risks. Providing key insights into Türkiye's current FDI landscape, Dağlıoğlu noted the growing focus on technology- and export-oriented investments. He emphasized that concrete investment processes are actively underway, particularly in fintech, deep tech, biotechnology, and life sciences. He further noted that since the beginning of 2025, the technology sector has accounted for a significant share of FDI inflows to Türkiye.
As part of the forum, a panel titled “The Transition to a Digital World: New Era for Islamic Finance with Innovation and Financial Inclusion" was moderated by Investment and Finance Office Country Advisor Ersoy Erkazancı. The panel brought together experts to explore how innovation is shaping the future of Islamic finance, with a focus on digitalization and inclusive financial systems.
One of the key outcomes of the forum was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between TKBB and the UK Export Finance (UKEF). The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in Islamic finance and foster closer collaboration between the two countries in areas including export financing, trade, education, and alignment with international standards.