Mayor meets senior business owners at historic event in Türkiye to promote trade and investment in London

• Sadiq meets senior business leaders and investors from across Türkiye to bang the drum for investment in the capital
• The Trade and Investment event at the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce is a major opportunity to promote business with London, and is a key part of the Mayor’s visit to Türkiye
• Sadiq becomes the first London Mayor to visit Hagia Sophia Mosque, the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar as he celebrated the connections between Türkiye and London

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today hailed the importance of the close relationship between the UK and Türkiye as he met with senior business leaders in Istanbul to bang the drum for further investment in London.

 

Sadiq is the first ever Mayor of London to visit Türkiye. During his historic trip, he has represented London at COP31, the United Nations Climate Conference, and now travelled to Istanbul, the biggest city and economic heart of the country, to boost trade and closer ties with London.

 

This morning the Mayor met with senior business leaders and investors from across Türkiye at a trade and investment event hosted by the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce.

 

Representatives from a broad range of industries gathered together to discuss the huge opportunities to invest in London with the Mayor as he paid tribute to the strength of the relationship between UK and Türkiye.

 

The UK and Türkiye have a long history of working together, with trade between the two countries totalling around £28bn in 2025. Almost 8,000 UK companies currently export goods to Türkiye, and both governments continue to discuss an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

 

The Mayor is keen for London to continue to be at the heart of this growing relationship, with Türkiye’s economy expected to be the 12th largest in the world and the fourth largest in Europe by 2050.

 

A wide range of industries were represented at the trade and investment event including tech, construction and energy, banking, insurance and finance, food and retail, transport and logistics, health and life sciences, creative industries and gaming.

 

Together they discussed the potential for furthering business ties, including how to build on the support London is already giving Turkish tech and fintech firms to expand internationally, growth in green finance and the circular economy, supporting start-ups and the opportunities the future enhanced trade agreement will provide.

 

Following the event, the Mayor met with Emre Ongurlar and Eren Ongurlar, the chairmen of confectionary brand Hafiz Mustafa to discuss the success of their expansion into London. The opening of their store in Knightsbridge in 2024 was the company’s first outside Türkiye and the UAE, with further shops planned to open in the capital within the next year demonstrating the attraction of investing in the capital.

 

The Mayor then visited Hagia Sophia Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before observing Friday prayers at the Blue Mosque. He went on to visit the historic Grand Bazaar to meet with local traders and celebrate the strong community links between our two great cities.

 

Turkish Londoners have also influenced life in the capital for hundreds of years, with established communities in Hackney, Enfield and Haringey. Türkiye is the 13th most common country of birth for Londoners. In 2024, London welcomed around 200,000 visits from Türkiye, with visitors spending approximately £250m in our capital.

 

Before leaving for Türkiye, the Mayor celebrated these close links by visiting the renowned Antepliler restaurant, in Green Lanes.

 

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted to be in Istanbul to bang the drum for London and encourage Turkish businesses to invest more in our great capital.

 

“The UK and Türkiye have a hugely important trade relationship but there is so much more that London and Istanbul can offer each other. We’re full of talent, energy and entrepreneurial spirit and today’s trade and investment reception was a great opportunity to build on our close connection.  

 

“By supporting businesses, creating jobs and opening up new opportunities, we can help power both of our economies, as we build a better and more prosperous London for everyone.

 

“It was also a privilege to meet with Emre Ongurlar and Eren Ongurlar to discuss their success in London, and then visit the inspiring Hagia Sophia Mosque, Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar. Istanbul is a historic and beautiful city and I’m hugely proud to be the first Mayor of London to visit and celebrate our great relationship.”

 

Şekib Avdagiç, President of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO), said: "For the first time, a Mayor of London is visiting Türkiye. This visit carries particular significance for strengthening relations between Istanbul and London and makes the cooperation between our two major global metropolises all the more meaningful. 

 

“The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce plays a key role in positioning Istanbul as a leading international hub for investment and trade, and this visit will help further unlock the economic potential of both cities.

 

"We believe that today’s meeting will give fresh momentum to trade between Türkiye and the United Kingdom."

 

Laura Citron, CEO of London and Partners, said: “Türkiye’s businesses, from its global groups to its fast-growing tech and fintech firms, are natural partners for London. The reception with the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce brings us closer to the companies and investors who can create jobs and growth in both cities. London & Partners is ready to help Turkish businesses set up and grow in London, and to connect London’s scaleups with partners across Türkiye.”

 

Karim Fatehi OBE, Chief Executive of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Türkiye is an important trading partner for the UK, and there is considerable scope to deepen that relationship. The Mayor’s visit to Istanbul is a welcome step in building stronger connections with Turkish businesses and investors and showcasing what London has to offer. Through our Choose LDN. campaign, we are making the case for London as a leading global city to do business, invest and grow. London has a diverse business community, access to global markets and a highly skilled workforce. Stronger trade and investment links with Türkiye can benefit businesses in both countries, and we want London to be at the heart of that relationship.”