A trading nation - Telegraph For centuries, London's willingness to embrace investment and expertise from across the world has been one of Britain's greatest strengths. David Cameron's decision to host the World Islamic Economic Forum currently running in London and announce a new sharia-compliant Treasury bond served as a reminder that we are, above all, a trading nation with global horizons. It would be hard, for example, to picture President Hollande opening such an event in Paris, still less to imagine him following the Prime Minister's example and reeling off a list of grand projects that will reshape the capital, all funded by Arab and Asian investors. At the very least, any such occasion in France - and many other European countries - would give rise to significant public controversy. The fact that Mr Cameron could describe "Islamic investment" as "fundamental to our success" without any chorus of dissent is more evidence of the openness that remains Britain's overriding competitive advantage. The Prime Minister's plans were more modest than his rhetoric would imply: the Treasury's new "sukuk" bond will be worth only £200 million - less than 2 per cent of the £11.1 billion which the Government borrowed in September alone. Moreover, Europe and America remain far bigger investors in Britain than Asia or the Middle East. Despite the trophy projects that Mr Cameron recited, that is unlikely to change. Yet business draws people together and takes the edge off their rivalries. In a world menaced by Islamist radicalism, we should lose no opportunity for normal relations with the moderate Muslim majority. Our willingness to do so is a sign of something more fundamental: we do not shout about it, but we are a nation with enough self-confidence to have no fear about welcoming the world.