By IRNA,
London : A thirty-five strong delegation of British Muslims are attending next week’s World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) Summit in Kuwait.
The summit from April 29 to May 1 is the fourth to be held to promote partnership between Muslim and non-Muslim businessmen by forging cooperation across borders among entrepreneurs in Muslim majority countries and those in other countries.
Sir Iqbal Sacranie, former secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) leading the UK delegation, said the forum will serve as a “hub for potential business collaboration between different countries.”
It will be a “platform for the exchange of cutting edge ideas between leaders in business and government both within and outside the region,” said Sacranie, who is also a member of the WIEF’s International Advisory Panel.
The British delegation, which is attending with others from more than 60 countries, has been arranged by the MCB’s Business and Economic Committee and includes businessmen, bankers, lawyers and analysts.
Current MCB secretary general Mohammed Abdul Bari said he was heartened by the diversity and individual accomplishments of the young professionals representing Britain at the WIEF this year.
“Never before has the need for a better relationship between the Muslim and non-Muslim world been more important,” Bari said. The delegation, he said, will be looking to build on previous successes and share best practice with leaders across the Muslim world.
The delegation is being supported by the government’s UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) organization, which promotes British companies doing business in international markets.
“There are many opportunities for the UK and particularly London as a leading center for Islamic Financial Services,” said UKTI chief executive Andrew Cahn.
“UK businesses are developing closer ties and relationships with other regions in this field which will surely bring benefits to both the UK and other countries,” Cahn said.