Tishwash: Iraq launches long-awaited population census, Prime Minister says
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced that Wednesday, November 20, will mark “a significant developmental and civilizational milestone” as Iraq embarks on its long-awaited census.
In a televised address, al-Sudani stated, “We are initiating the national population census to complete the priorities of the government program, aiming to make the census a modern scientific tool for planning,” expressing the government’s commitment to serving the Iraqi people.
The census aims, according to Al-Sudani, to shape economic and social development using modern, scientific methods, addressing information gaps in planning, service delivery, and national decision-making.
“Advanced and accurate electronic methods would be used to ensure the census results are reliable and beneficial for the present and future of Iraq.” He said.
The Prime Minister considered that data generated from this census will serve as a “tool for informed decision-making and ensuring equitable distribution of resources and services across governorates,” al-Sudani said.
Al-Sudani urged citizens to cooperate with the teams conducting the census, clarifying that it is not related to taxes or social protection but is essential for development across all sectors.
Notably, the census, scheduled for November 20-21, will provide Iraq with its first accurate and comprehensive population data in decades. The last nationwide census was conducted in 1987, while the most recent one in 1997 excluded the Kurdistan Region. Current estimates place Iraq’s population at around 43 million.
More than 120,000 field researchers will go door to door, collecting data from households using electronic tablets, in a process supported by the United Nations.
Available in Arabic, Kurdish, and English, the census form will feature 70 questions covering religion, health, education, labor, and economic activity. However, questions regarding an individual’s ethnicity, language spoken at home, and ancestry have been excluded.
The initial results will be announced within 24 hours, with the final figures expected to be released within three months. link
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Tishwash: Iraqi Firm Becomes Exclusive Dealer for China’s Rox Motor
Iraq’s Laith Al-Obaidi Group has announced an exclusive dealership agreement with China’s Rox Motor, marking a significant milestone in the Iraqi automotive market.
The agreement was signed during the Guangzhou Nanling Automobile Exhibition by Rox Motor CEO Yan Feng and Laith Al-Obaidi Group CEO Ali Al-Obaidi. This partnership expands Laith Al-Obaidi Group’s portfolio, which now includes eight automotive-focused businesses in Iraq, further strengthening its market presence.
Rox Motor’s innovative Range Extended Electric Vehicles (REVs), combining electric power with an integrated generator, are touted as ideal for the Iraqi market due to their efficiency and suitability for modern consumers.
Beyond Iraq, Rox Motor has also established distribution agreements in Qatar, Kuwait, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, and Egypt, showcasing its growing footprint in emerging markets worldwide. link
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Tishwash: Italy-Iraq: a business forum promoted by Unido Itpo on November 27th in Rome
The aim is to “facilitate partnerships and commercial collaborations between Iraqi and Italian stakeholders”
The Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido Itpo) is organizing the “Iraq Business and Cooperation Forum” event in Rome on November 27, in collaboration with Confindustria.
The aim, Unido Itpo reported, is to “facilitate partnerships and business collaborations between Iraqi and Italian stakeholders from institutions, business associations and the private sector in the fields of agri-food, energy and environment, infrastructure and construction, medicine and pharmaceuticals and beyond”.
The Forum will open with a plenary session in the morning, with interventions by high-level representatives of distinguished stakeholders, including the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and other members of Sistema Italia.
On the Iraqi side, there will be representatives of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, the Ministry of Commerce, the Iraqi Federation of Industries, the Iraqi Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the National Investment Commission, the Board of Investment of the Kurdistan Regional Government, the Industrial Cities Corporation.
Also present will be the Unido Enterprise Development Centers, which will bring their expertise and knowledge, contributing to the strategic discussions and the resulting developments. The afternoon of the Forum will be dedicated to B2B and B2G meetings, allowing direct interactions between the participating Italian companies and their Iraqi counterparts.
The event is organized within the project “Investment Promotion for Iraq – Phase 2” funded by AICS and the project “Establishing Innovative Platform in Iraq” funded by MAECI, both implemented by UNIDO ITPO Italy. link
