Iraq’s Ministry of Trade has held an expanded meeting with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to discuss cooperation on Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the development of a national trade and investment strategy.
The meeting was attended by Ghassan Al-Mohammadi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Trade for Economic Affairs, and Malik Khalaf Al-Durai’i, Director General of the Private Sector Development Directorate. Also participating were Maher Hammad Jouhan, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Planning for Technical Affairs, and Adel Dakhil Muhammad Al-Yasiri, Chairman of the National Investment Commission. ITC’s Iraq Director, Eric Bouchot, joined the discussions via Zoom.
According to the Ministry of Trade, participants reviewed the latest steps being taken to support Iraq’s efforts to join the World Trade Organization. The discussions also focused on mechanisms for preparing a comprehensive national trade and investment strategy aimed at strengthening economic growth and improving the business environment.
The meeting further addressed preparations for the National Iraqi Trade and Investment Forum, which is scheduled to take place in Baghdad on October 28-29, 2026. The event is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue between the public and private sectors and will bring together local, regional and international investors.
Representatives from the European Union mission are also expected to attend the forum, which aims to encourage investment opportunities, strengthen economic partnerships and support Iraq’s integration into regional and global markets.
Officials emphasized the importance of cooperation between government institutions, the private sector and international organizations in advancing trade reforms and attracting greater investment to Iraq.
