ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will be among the prominent leaders from the Muslim world at the ninth World Islamic Economic Forum opening in London on Tuesday which would encapsulate the emergence of new economic linkages between nations across borders, religions and cultures in a fast changing world.

The underlying theme of “Changing World: New Relationship”, will be examined across the framework of policy business, technology and finance with fresh presentations from industry leaders, frank and insightful discussions among senior representatives from key players and valuable inputs from analysts.

WIEF will bring together more than 1,500 thinkers, policy-makers and corporate leaders to discuss immediate and long-term issues surrounding all forms of business.

This year, the forum will provide a high-level platform for leading global government leaders, captains of industries, academic scholars, regional experts, professionals, corporate managers, policy makers, innovators, business leaders and investors to discuss opportunities for business partnerships in the Muslim world.

The three-day conference will specifically devote ‘invest programmes’ on Pakistan, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

According to a document prepared by the Forum secretariat for delegates, the Islamic financial services industry has evolved in the aftermath of the financial crisis to provide alternative means of financial intermediation and a more diversified platform for allocating investible funds.

Islamic finance assets were estimated at $1.6 trillion as at end-2012 and a growth rate of 20.4 per cent year-on-year. Between 2008 and 2012, Islamic finance assets have grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5 per cent. Market consensus is that total Islamic financial assets will reach $6.5 trillion by 2020.