A joint Turkish-UAE-Chinese venture is set to launch a comprehensive digital banking and payments platform in Turkey, marking an unusual cross-border collaboration that includes players from both the Gulf and China.

The partnership brings together Trendyol—acquired by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba in 2018—Baykar, the Turkish drone manufacturer, ADQ, a UAE state-backed investment fund, and Ant International, the global arm of Chinese fintech leader Ant Group. The group signed a memorandum of understanding to establish the platform, which is expected to roll out in the coming months pending regulatory approval.

The announcement coincided with a visit by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

The platform aims to integrate e-commerce, financial technologies, traditional and digital banking, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Planned services include SME and retail financing, digital payments, deposit and investment products, and insurance.

Trendyol Group President Çağlayan Çetin said the partnership could accelerate Turkey's digital economic transformation.

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